The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1910-05-31
finding of Alma kellner's Body
Shows That She Met Her
Death at the Hands Of
Some Field.
JAN1roR rs SUSPECTED
Man Disappeared Shortly After the
Girl Disappeared and He is
Likely the Guilty
One.

LOUISVILLE. XIV May 31.-With I
the finding of her mutiliated and de-
composed body in an old cistern under
one Of the parish houses of st. Johns
Catholic church, Clay and Walnut
streets, part of the mystery surround
ing the disappearance on December 8 /
last Of Alma Kellner, the year old
daughter of Fred L. Kellner, has been
solved. Frank Fehr, millionaire brew
or. uncle of the child, who since her
disappearance has spared neither time
nor money in the search for her, has
positively Identified the body.
The body was found ohis few
wards from the entrance Of ST. Johns
church where Alma had gone to at
tend services the morning Of her dis
appearance.
The police are looking for Joseph
Vending, former janitor at st. Johns
church, who has been missing since
January IA. little more than month
after the disappearance of the Kellner
child. Mrs. Lena Vending, wife CT
the missing man and housekeeper for
Father Schulmann, pastor Of St.
Johns church, IS under surveillance.
In a sworn statement made before
Captain Carney, chief of detectives,
Mrs. Vending admitted washing
muddy clothes of her husban. shortly
after the disappearance Of the little
kellner girl. The detectives have
elothes- trousers, shirt and hat-and
declare there are still blood stains on
them.
little more than year ago, ac-
cording to the police records, Wend-
ling was arrested and fined because of
improper conduct with young girl
whom he accosted on the streets.
Neither Mr.. nor Mrs. Kellner, the
parents Of Alma. have seen the body
found. Both are prostrated. Mr..
Fehr, the uncle. is positive of his
Identification through the comparison
Of shoe found WITH the boiy with
one worn by Alma before her disap-
pearance.
Inc finding OF the body after months
Oh search for the Kellner child, not
only in Louisville but throughout the
united states, was by mere accident
saturday the janitor at st. Johns
church told Father Schuhmann that
water was collecting under one of the
parish buildings Plumbers were sent
10Y and commenced to pumpAout the
water After pumping short time
shme-covered object was discov
cred Examination showed it to be :
enid foot, I'll the shoe and stock
lug on The body was then pulled OFT oi
I've water The police and coroner
were notified Immediately by Father
schuhmann.
After working for five hours ovel
fragments of the body Coroner Ellis
duncan said that the top and part 2
'he left side Of the skull and part o
'he right leg and foot were missing
eh'lrely All the ribs on the laf
slde were broken, he said
II appears that the body was par
uahy burned said Cororer Duncan
and believe quicklime was used t,
AID in destroying it,
According to his wife's statemon
" captain Carney, Vending, tn
iorMer janitor sought by the police
was a deserter from the Frenc
army Father Schuhmann said tha
ae had learned since Weddings dis
ppearance that the man had left sc,
s'dl positions without notice. TIL
!anltor left st. Johns church withou
SWING notice of his intention.
y was to attend services at S
.onl church on the morning of d,
snlper last that Alma Kellner lei
.o'e about quarter before 3. Sh
'as seen a few moments later as sh
aeared st. Johns, by druggist VIII
.''ceo her stopping for moment t
~ ray with a cat which was sitting |
Ae window of the store. The druggis
as lhe last known person to see til
child alive :
NEW ORLEANS. May 31.-City d
souses are searching the old Freno
N saal'er ss',, OF the city today in hopes
III ,,a a'hs some trace of Joseph Win
s, ra, me ianitor of the church
n.y. ,,ouisVliie, who is wanted by the p
,,,a, ~ connection with the death
we Alma Kellner.
,o,. y was learned today that he Ii,
'.iVes here and the police belle,
either here or has taken
sns ~ 70 France. He was here in Fe