Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1909-05-13
KIDNAPPED
OR WHAT.
Mysterious Disappearance of
Aug. Roeske who left Here
April 7th2.

AUG. R0eSke who left Here
April 7th2.
August Roeske, of this village, let
here Tuesday forenoon, April q. on
the HOS south bound passenger
train for Portage, telling his wife
that he would be back the next
evening. The object of the trip, he
said before leaving, was to buy some
cows for his farm near this village
and also loan some money on a
farm near Portage. With him he
took checks, drafts and currency as
gregating not less than $4,000, and
perhaps more. Some think it was
nearer $4,000. He did not return
as expected but ON Friday noon a
letter reached here from him to
his wife. 1t seems that her first
name is the same as that Of his
brothers wife, Mrs. Otto Roeske,
of Deerfield, and the letter was car
ried out on the rural route to the
latter, consequently did not reach
the one for whom it was intended
until Saturday forenoon. 1t was
written in German and postmarked
Chicago, Station U, $3.50 a. M.
April 2Sth." Translated the letter
reads as follows:
Dear Wife:
o God dear wife, Edwin and Mar
garet l fell into the hands of rob-
bers and all my money has been
taken from me. They asked ne
what yet l desired. l told them to
write letter to you. They said
could do that if l would not des-
cribe them how they look. 1t had al
ready been determined by them that
they would catch me with all the
money. The one said he was the
same man who had held me up a
here to the depot and took me away
in an automobile, wanted to show me
the COWS and the farm on which
could loan money. l went to the
bank and had them give me tie
money. T hey waited for me. l am
locked up in barn and l write,
shall become of you. My heart is
breaking. l had taken all the money
out of the bank and wanted to pay
my debts and the other l wante1 to
put into the farm. Q God, o God,
how you stand before me. o God,
o God, l am suffering severely.
reproach myself that I sold the
farm. 1t is my fault, dear Tina,
Margaret and E dwin. | am not
afraid of death but that 1 have
made you unhappy. 1t is my fault
that I sold the farm. 1 will be glad
to die if l knew that you were all
right. God be with you. I never
told the truth how many debts
made this winter in the restaurant.
Barton put me in debt all over
and my hay from the marsh he haa
sold. That is my fault also, dear
Tina, and you cautioned me against
him. I did not want to hear. When
over 1 received money from Ripon
always had to put it in the restan-
rant God pardon my failure in
Life, o God, o God, my dear woman
Margaret, and remember l loved you
very much Whether I shall reach
you alive I do not know. 1t does
me good o God my loved ones to
love you in this hour. Farewell do
not sorrow for me, o God, o God,
I may kiss you in eternity.
AUGUST ROESKE
| A man whose name is SchiefLel-
bein he was my witness in Portage
| that | received money on my bank
notes, knew me in Hancock. He had
nothing to do with the robbery. His
name is Schieffelbe:n.
Tell nobody that I left money at
home. T hat is fortunate, by right
that money is yours. Nobody can
take the house from you. Let him
whom | owe have the farm. Cows
you cannot buy and give them.
! Should I return alive I don't know
what is to happen. o God, dear
Margaret, Edwin, think in love OF
your father who has sold your farm.
If you were here now | would not
have to write to you and could die
in peace. o God, God, help, I cry
out with all my might. That comes
i from the mouth. If | remain alive
will return and must work and pay
my debts. T his letter they want to
mail in Chicago.
As before stated Mrs. Roeske did
not receive the letter until Saturday
fornnoOn and before soma DIan cOuld