Arizona republican. [volume] (Phoenix, Ariz.) 1890-1930, 1911-04-12
THE UNCLE
A K|DNAPER
The Rogers Mystery al
Los Vegas Cleared Up
A CONVICTS CONFESSION
The Arrest of Will Rogers,
an Uncle of the Stolen
Child, Followed by His
Confession. His Brother
Is Under Surveillance.

Las Vegas. y. NJ, April 11.-Impli-
Gated in the confession of Joe Virgins,
a former life convict, VIII Rogers,
uncle of little Waldo Rogers, was to-
night arrested for completely in the
lads abduction. John Rogers, his
brother is under surveillance For the
childs return, $4,000 ransom VAS paid,
VIII Rogers acting as agent for Mrs.
Rogers.
Later tonight Will Rogers confessed
his part in the abduction. He told
where the money was hidden and Of
ricers have gone in search of the
$l2, 600. In his statement he does not
connect his brother, John Rogers, with
the kidnapping plot. The latter has
not been arrested but is under sur
veillance
Tonights disclosures have again
reused the city to a degree of excite
ment that the authorities fear may
result in a demonstration against
the accused. TWO of the men are
in the county Jail which is guarded
by large force of deputies.
Plans have been made for taking
the prisoners 10 the penitentiary at
Santa Fe tomorrow for safe keeping
The arrest Of Virgins came 1ata
touay. HIS confession, which fol-
lowed. gave a new and sensa 4. 0uai
turn TO the mystery that for more
than ten days has surrounded the
kidnapping of little Waldo Rogers.
son of Mr.. and Mrs. A. T. Rogers. and
his safe return upon the payment of
81. ZOO ransom
According To the story told by Wig
gins. he first became acquainted with
John Rogers through the law firm
by which the latter was employed
and which was instrumental in getting
Virgins pardoned from the penjten-
tiary. Virgins says that while work
ing in the coal mines at Madrid, y.
NJ, he received . letter from John
Rogers suggesting a scheme for max
ing $4,000 easy money. Virgins
says he came TO Las Vegas in a few
DAYS and later entered into the plot
Waldo Rogers. the two-year-old son
Of Mr.. and Mrs A T. Rogers and
the grandson OF H L. Waldo. the
Kansas City millionaire, was kid
naped from the family residence on
the night Of March 29.
Taking advantage Of the absence Of
the boys father, two masked men
went to the Rogers home 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 would be returned
safely providing that the police were
not informed and $12, 200 in small
bills was paid to their representa-
tives. They named d lonely spot
eleven miles north of Las Vegas as
the place where the money was TO be
delivered by Mrs Rogers representa-
tive, who was to come to the rem
devious alone the following day.
Taking only her bankers and her
brother-in-law VIII Rogers into her
confidence. Mrs. Rogers secured the
$4,000 the following morning and de-
livered it to Will Rogers to carry to
the place Of meeting.
VIII Rogers returned on Thursday
night with the child who was well
and unharmed. He declared to Mrs.
Rogers and later to the authorities
that he had been met at the ap-
receiving the money took him to a
well known canyon twelve miles south
Of the place Of meeting where he had
found the little boy lying in an ar
royo wrapped in a blanket The au-
thorities were not informed until the
child had been returned to the moth
er, when a search for the kidnapers
was started which involved the terri
torial mounted police, detectives, and
posses composed OF Las Vegas citi-
zens and ranchers for miles around.
A reward Of $780, 900 was offered for
the capture and conviction of the kid
napers and the entire country was
ablaze with indignation. Threats of
lynching We're freely made. Blood
hounds were taken to the supposed
place Of meeting north of Las Vegas
but were unable 10 find the trail of
the supposed fugitives II. Waldo,
grandfather of the boy arrived at Las
Vegas on April l to aid in tracing
the kidnaDers
The $4,000 paid for the ransom of
the child has been recovered.