Omaha daily bee., 1911-04-13
UNCLE CONFESSES KIDNAPPING
ia Rogers Arrested on Information
Of Convict Accomplish.
LOCATION OF $4,000 REVEALED
city Aroused by Disclosures and Au-
thorities Fear Demonstration
Against Prisoner-Ettempt
at Suicide Feared.

LAS VEGAS n. NJ, April 12-Impllcatsd
by the confession Of Joe Virgins, a former
lie convict win Rogers uncle OF little
Waldo Rogers. was arrested last night for
completely In the lads abduction and later
confessed. For his return $1,000 ransom
was paid. VIII Rogers acting as agent for
Mrs. Rogers.
Rogers told where the money was hidden
and officers found the $1,000 late tonight
Ills brother. John, is also under sur-
VIGILANCE
Tonights disclosures have again aroused
the city to a degree Of excitement that the
authorities fear may result in a demonstra-
ton against the prisoner Rogers ia an
the county jail. which Is guarded by
large force Of deputies. Plans have been
formulated for taking the prisoner 10 the
penitentiary at Santa Fe tomorrow for
safe keeping.
The arrest o. Virgins came late today.
His confession. which followed, completely
cleared up the mystery that for more than
ten days has surrounded the kidnapping OF
the son Of Mr.. and Mrs A. r. Rogers and
his safe return upon the payment Of $1,000
ransom.
According to the story told BY Virgins.
he first became acquainted with John
Rogers through the law firm by which the
latter was employed and which was in
srumehtal in getting Virgins pardoned
from the penitentiaty. Virgins says that
while working in the coal mines at Madrid
n NJ, he received a letter from John
Rogers suggesting scheme for making
$1,000 easy money. Virgins says he came
TO Las Vegas in a few days and later
entered into the plot. The boy was kid
mapped from the family residence ON tho
night OF March %.
Two Men steal hoy.
Taking advantage OF the absence from
the city OF tho boys father, two masked
men went to the Rogers homo shortly be-
fore midnight and at the point Of a revolver
compelled Mrs. Rogers to dress the child
for a night ride and deliver him to them
They repeatedly assured her that the child
would not be harmed and that he would
be returned safely, providing the police
we're not Informed. and $1,000 was paid
TO their representatives.
They named a lonely spot eleven miles
north Of Las Vegas as the place where
the money was TO be delivered by Mrs.
Rogers representative. who was to come
TO the rendezvous alone the following day.
Taking only her bankers and her broth
er-in-law. VIII Rogers. into her confidence
Mrs. Rogers secured $4,000 the following
morning and delivered It TO VIM Rogers
TO carry to the place OF meeting.
VIII Rogers returned Thursday night
with the child. who was well and un-
harmed. He told Mrs. Rogers and later
the authorities that he had been met at the
appointed place by man, who, after re-
ceiving and counting the money. directed
him to well known canon fifteen miles
south Of the place Of meeting. where ht
had found the little boy lying in an arroys
wrapped in blanket.
The authorities were not informed until
the child had been returned to his mother
when a search for the kidnapers wal
started that involved the territorial
mounted police private detectives ant
posses composed of Las Vegas citizens anC
ranchers for miles around.
Reward of Twenty Thousand.
reward Of $4,000 was offered for tn,
capture and conviction Of the kidnaper
and the entire country was ablaze witt
Indignation. Threats of lynching wer
freely made.
Bloodhounds were taken 10 the supposed
place of meeting north OF Las Vegas. bu
were unable TO find the tran Of the SUP
posed fugitives.
II. L. Waldo, grandfather OF the boy, ar
rived in Las Vegas April 1, to aid in track
ing the kidnapors.
VIII Rogers in his confession declare
that his brother, John Rogers, had n
knowledge OF the crime, He confessed I
having planned the abduction and said tn
actual stealing of the child was done b
Joe Virgins.
Not until the confession and the recover
of the money did A. T. Rogers, father {
the stolen child. believe his brother wa
implicated WIN Rogers is being closel
guarded tonight as It IL feared he wi
attempt suicide