The Salt Lake herald-Republican. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1909-1918, 1909-10-17

in toxicated, taken to Reniger's rooms in
the Angelus roOming house and there kept
in a semi-cOmatOSe condition by means OF
drugs until they had been declared de-
serters from the army. Then they were
turned out on the streets and were picked
Up by members of the police force after
being pointed out by Reniger or one of
his accOmplices. The $50 reward, paid
by the government for the apprehension
of deseTtcr5. was then divided between
the arrestinS officer and Reniger.
Whether or not several police officers. on
whom suspicion has fallen. were aware
of this criminal traffic, is up to the chief
of police to speedily determine.
Most of the victims of the diabOlical
plot were so befuddled in memory by the
drug as 10 be unable to give any coher-
ent reason for being away from their post
longer than their leaves allowed.
SteeIman Is Innocent.
Harry Steelman of company f, who was
arrested yesterday and charged with be-
ing a deseTter, easily convinced his su-
Derior officers of his innocence and then
told Of RenlgeT's methods. Steelman had
recently completed a two months course
at Fort Riley cooks and bakers school,
and was due at Fort Douglas last Mon
day. He fell into the clutches of Reniger
and did not recover consciousness until
Friday morning. He escaped from the
drug den at the Angelus, dressed in what
ever clothes he could find in the place
and was picked uD and returned to the
fort. Then followed the exposure of
crime practically without parallel in army
circles
Captain Bryan Conrad and Captain Will
lis Uline Immediately drove to the city
and conferred with Chief of Police Bar
low raid on the Angelus TOOming
house led by Captain Conrad followed.
Meanwhile someone had tipped Reniger
of the proposed raid and he managed 10
escape, but was captured on the street by
Policeman J. NJ. Lyon. He is being held
at the city jail until the military authOFi-
ties decide what steps they will take.
Chief Barlow said last night that Rent
ger would be charged with kidnapping, and
with aiding desarteTs from the United
States army. An accomplice of Reniger
is still at large.
About four months ago Reniger was
bObtaiied' (dishOnorably discharged)
from company L. Fifteenth infantry. He
secured rooms at the AngelUs and fitted
them up admirably for his purpose.
Many Desertions.
Captain Uline said yesterday that the
number of assertions from the fort in the
last three months, among members of the
regiment. of remarkable good standing
had been alarming No less than thirty
i've cases Of descrtiOn have been entered
IN the books since July ]. Of this number
three have told of being detained down
town, and because of their good records
previously, haze been reinstated in their
companies. Eight others have told inco-
hGrent stories of the same treatment but
IN most cases these stories were taken a.
mere excuses. None Of the soldiers but
Steelman appeared TO be able to give a
definite account Of their treatment at the
hands of Renigec.
The military authorities are also in pos
session of information tending to prove
that Reniger carried on his doping method
even while a member of the Fifteenth in
fantry.
RenigeT, it is said used Grown snuff. >
INTO which was mixed various drugs tend
ing 70 deprive the victim of his mental
had victim in his clutches it was easv
to keep him as long as necessary.