The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1912-01-19
Which Was Richter =?

berg, Germany, a single man named
Albert Richter. He was at that timo
tventy-eight yours old and had consi1-
cradle landed property Richter was .
quiet, retiring man, respectable and
honest and well liked, and at the date
we give was keeping company with q
young woman. They quarreled about
something, and he suddenly disap-
peared. He was living with his moth
or, and it was shown that he got up
about midnight and left the house.
That was the last to be seen of him for
many year.
As Richter had no brothers or sisters
the government took charge of his
property after one year and held 1t In
trust, while a reward Of 5000 was of.
fered for information concerning him.
When five years had passed and not
q thing had been heard of the missing
Richter he suddenly appeared at his
home--that is, man claiming to be he
appeared. He entered the house one
evening, hurg up his hat on the same
old hook and then turned and EN-.
shaven. Nov he had whiskers. That
was the only difference the mother de-
tected. He was welcomed as her long
lost son, and Of all the people who
came to see him no one questioned his
identity. Richter claimed that he had
gone away to America because Of the
quarrel with the girl, who was now
married. The government was notified
Of his return. and steps were being
aiken to return his property when
something happened. The wife whom
he had quarreled with as a girl came
back to her old home on a visit. When
she heard that her old lover was home
He lodged meeting as long as posi-
BILE. but it came about at length. Ate,
the meeting the woman said she doubt.
ed the identity Of the person. Other
people began to wonder, and finally
the mother was the only one that did
not doubt. The government took the
matter in hand, and Richter was
forced to submit to an examination.
It was the woman with whom he had
quarreled that wrought his downfall.
He stated the cause Of the quarrel, and
he repeated some of the words that
had passed between them, but he could
not describe the interior of her fathers
house. He could not tell how many
presents he had given her.
Within less than two hours the man
who had even fooled the mother Of the
missing man was pronounced an i'm
poster and sent to jail for trial, and in
the end he got fifteen years In prison.
Just two years after his exposure an
other Richter turned up. He walked
Into the house as cool as you please.
and almost the first question he asked
was about Katrina. the girl he had
quarreled with. He inquired after
twenty different persons. made his way
about the house as If he had been born
In 1t. and the mother rather reluctant
" accepted him for what he claimed
to be. There were four persons on the
farm that had been employed there
for many years. This Richter greeted
them all by name as they approached
him to shake hands. One Of them had
lost child by accident about the time
Richter went away. This man 10
terred to It and gave the Particular.
For a week the mother watched him
and asked questions. and at last she
Vas satisfied and accepted him. Most
q the neighbors did the same, but
there was one man that set a trap
1or him. The woman who had exposed
the other had now immigra ted to Amer.
Sca. This Richter claimed that he had
been ir England all the time, running
truck garden near Manchester. In
the next village to Konisberg was q
young man who had passed three years
In German mercantile house In Man.
chester. He was got to come over and
question Richter. who claimed to b
very familiar with the town. The ras-
calls downfall soon came. He could
not name five streets. In fact, he could
tell no more of the city than any one
who had given 1t careless glance on
the map. He tried to bluff 1t out. but
the government officials were notified. |
and he was arrested. tried and received |
0Sn'ShNc Va tWelSe years.
Six months later the third Richter
appeared. but he didn't carry his
game far. When questioned BY the
mother he gave many correct answers.
and two OF the four employees of the |
farm were ready to declare that he
was the real Albert Richter when the
fellows nerve failed him. and he dis.
appeared before he could be arrested
1t was plan enough to the people that
the three impostors had seen and talked
with Richter. In fact. they must have
been chums Of bis to find out what
they had.
Six months after the disappearance
OF the third impostor the real Richter
returned. but it was to be looked upon
Is rascal. His mother had become
no frightened that she dared not saw
whether he was the real son or not
All said that he looked the same an
when he went away. but he did not act
quite the same. He was more silent
and mOroSa Tho oovorn,oanx g.,