The Idaho Springs siftings-news., 1911-04-15
MYSTERY OF LAS VEGAS CHILD
STEALING HAS BEEN
REVEALED.
WAS BABY'S UNCLE
WILL ROGERS, BROTHER OF
CHilDS FATHER. CONFESSES
PART IN CRIME.

Las Vegas, n. Manipulated by
the confession of Joe Virgins, a
former life convict, VIII Rogers. uncle
of little Waldo Rogers. has been ar
rested for completely in the lads ab-
duction For his return $4,000 ran
som was paid. Will Rogers acting as
agent for Mrs. Rogers.
John Rogers, another uncle. is un-
der surveillance on suspicion Of com
plicity in the kidnapping plot.
Will Rogers has confessed, but does
not implcate John.
The $4,000 secured by the kidnap-
pers has been recovered.
VIII Rogers told where the money
was hidden, and officers went i'll
search Of the $4,000 and found it.
In his statement VIII Rogers does
not connect his brother, John, with
the kidnapping plot. The latter has
not been arrested, but is under sur
veillance.
The disclosures again aroused the
city to degree of excitement that
authorities fear may result in dem
onstration. The accused man is in jail
and is guarded by a large force OF
deputies. Plans have been formulated
for taking the prisoner TO the peniten-
tiary at Santa Fe for safe keeping.
The confession of Virgins which
followed his arrest gave a new and
sensational turn to the mystery that
for more than ten days has surround
ed the kidnapping of little Waldo Rog-
ers, son OF A. T. Rogers, and his safe
return upon the payment of $4,000
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 peniten-
tiary
Virgins says that while working in
the coal mines at Madrid. n. NJ. he
received a letter from John Rogers
suggesting scheme for making $40.
600. 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. r. Rogers and the
grandson of H. r. Waldo, Kansas
City millionaire, was kidnapped from
the family residence on the night OF
March 10Th.
Taking advantage of the absence
from the city of the boys father, two
masked men went to the Rogers home
shortly before midnight and at the
point of revolver compelled Mrs.
Rogers to dress the child for night s
ride and deliver him to them.
Taking only her bankers and he7
brother-in-law. Will Rogers. into her
confidence, Mrs Rogers secured the
$4,000 the following morning and de
livered it to VIII Rogers to carry to
the place Of meeting.
VIII Rogers returned with the child
who was well and unharmed. He de.
clared to Mrs. Rogers and later TO the
authorities, that he had been met at
the appointed place by man who
after receiving and counting the mon
ey, directed him to a wellknown
Gallon, fifteen miles south of the
place Of meeting. where he had found
the little boy lying in an arroyo
wrapped in blanket.
The authorities were not informed
until the child had been returned te
his mother, when a search for the kid
nappers that involved the territoria
mounted police, private detectives ane
posses composed of Las Vegas citi
zens and ranchers for miles around.
A reward OF $4,000 was offered fol
the capture and conviction Of the kid
pappers and the entire country wa
ablaze with Indignation. Threats O.
lynching were freely made.
II. L. Waldo. grandfather Of the boy
arrived in Las Vegas April 1st to aie
In tracing the kidnappers.