Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1911-04-13
KIDNAPPING WAS
The WORK OF
CHILD S UNCLE.
New Mexico Ex-Convict
Confesses That He and
Will Rogers, Stole Little
Waldo Rogers for Ransom
MONEY PAID TO
MEN RECOVERED

MEN RECOVERED
Rogers Had Been Given the
Task Of Paying Ransom,
Although He Was the One
Who Planned the Job.
Las Vegas, N. NJ, April 1.-THE con-
fessions of Joe Virgins, former life
convict in the New Mexico peni-
tentiary, and of Will Rogers, uncle OF
the stolen child, last night cleared up
+ the mystery surrounding the kidnap-
ing Of 2 year old Waldo Rogers, son
Of A. T. Rogers, Jr. of Las Vegas, and
grandson Of p. l. Waldo, a Kansas
City millionaire, who on the night OF
March 29 was taken from his mother
at the Rogers home by two masked
men and returned the following day
upon the payment Of $4,000 ransom.
According to Virgins confession the
kidnapping was planned by Rogers and
executed by himself.
In the absence Of the child's father
negotiations with the kidnapers were
placed in the hands of her brotherin-
law by the mother and to him was en-
trusted the $4,000 to be paid, as 1t
now develops, to himself and Virgins.
In his confession, Rogers revealed the
hiding place OF the ransom money and
1t has been recovered.
Virgins confession followed his ar
rest here yesterday. Rogers was ar
rested on the strength Of Virgins con-
fession and later confessed his part in
the kidnapping, telling the authorities
that the money was at the home OF
his father, with whom he lived.
The arrest Of Virgins came late
vesterday. His confession, which fol-
lowed. rave now and sensational
turn to the mystery that for more
than ten days has surrounded the kid.
naping OF little Waldo Rogers, son
81 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
ROGERS through the law firm by which
the latter was employed and which
was instrumental In getting Virgins
pardoned from the penitentiary. Wig
Rins says that while working In the
coal mines at Madrid, N. NJ, he re-
sceived letter from John Rogers sug-
resting q scheme for making $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 III. L. Waldo, the Kansas
City millionaire was kidnapped from the
family residence on the night of
March 20.
Boys Mother Is Terrified.
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
Z point of revolver compelled Mrs.
Rogers to dress the child for 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 the
police were not informed and $4,000
IN small bills was paid to their repre-
sentatives.
They named 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 brother-in-law, Will
Rogers, into her confidence, Mrs
Rogers secured $4,000 the following
morning and delivered it to Will
Rogers to carry to the place of meet
ing.
will Rogers returned Thursday
night with the child, who was well and
unharmed He told Mrs. Rogers, and
later to the authorities, that he had
been met at the appointed place by
man, who, after receiving and count
Ing the money, directed him to a
canyon fifteen miles south of the place
81 meeting, where he had found the
little boy lying in ali arroyo wrapped
in blanket.
The authorities were not informed
until the child had been returned to
bis mother, when 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
ynching were freely made.
Bloodhounds were taken to the sup
posed place of meeting north of Las
Vegas, but we're unable to find the
trail OF the supposed fugitives.
n. N. Waldo, grandfather of the boy,
arrived IN Las Vegas April to aid in
tracing tho 5Dnapers.