The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1911-04-12
COnfesses That He Helped Kid
nap Little Waldo Rogers.
Ex- Convict Furnishes the Clue
Which Clears Mystery.
MONEY is RECOVERED.
Had Been Taken by Uncle of the
Child.
Great Excitement in Las Vegas
Follows Revelation.

Las Vegas, N. NJ, April 12.-Implica-
ted by the confession of Joe Virgins,
former convict, Will Rogers, uncle of
little Waldo Rogers. was last night
arrested for completely in the lads alb
duction. For his return $4,000 ransom
was paid, viii Rogers acting as agent
for Mrs. Rogers.
Late last night Will Rogers confess
ed his part in the abduction. He told
where the money was hidden and off
GERS have gone in search of the $4,000.
In his statement, VIII Rogers does not
connect his brother John, with the
kidnapping plan. The latter has not
been arrested but is under surveillance.
The $4,000 secured by the kidnapers
was recovered where it had been hid
den.
The arrest of Virgins came late
Tuesday. His confession, which follow
ed, completely gave a sensation turn to
the mystery that for more than 10 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 $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 work.
ing in the coal mines at Madrid, N. NJ,
he received a letter from John Rogers,
suggesting a scheme for making $40, 600
easy money.
Virgins says he came to Las Vegas
in a few days and later entered into
the plot.
How Plot Was Carried Out.
Waldo Rogers, the 2-year-old son of
Mr. and Mrs. A. T. Rogers. and the
grandson of H. L. Waldo. a Kansas
City millionaire, was kidnapped from
the family residence on the night of
March %. 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 a revolver, com
PEELED 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
provided that the police were not in
formed end $4,000 in small bills was
paid to their representatives. They
named a lonely spot II 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 fol-
lowing day.
Taking only her bankers and her
brother-in-law. Will Rogers, into her
confidence, Mrs. Rogers secured $12,-
900 the following morning and deliv-
cred it to Will Rogers to carry to the
place of meeting.
Child Was Unframed.
VIII Rogers returned Thursday
night with the child who was we'll and
unframed He declared to Mrs.
Rogers and later to the authorities that
he had been met, at the appointed
place by a man, who, after receiving
and counting the money directed him
to a well known canyon, Is miles
south of the place of meeting, where
he had found the little boy lying in an
arroyo, wrapped in a blanket
The authorities were not Informed
until the child had been returned to
his mother when a search for the kid
napers was started that involved the
territorial mounted police private de-
tectives and posses composed of Las
Vegas citizens and ranchers for miles
around.
A reward of $4,000 was offered for
the capture and conviction of the kid
napers and the entire country was
ablaze with indignation. Threats of
lynching were freely made.
Bloodhounds were taken to the sup
posed place of meeting north of Las
Vegas. but were unable to find the
| trail of the supposed fugitives.
H. L. Waldo, grandfather of the
boy, arrived in Las Vegas April 1 to
aid in tracing the kidnapers.