Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1915-08-25
Rev. Kayser, Minister Of Lu-
theran Church, Tolleston,
rs Found Dead.
HAD BEEN THREAT EnED
Sympathizers of Allies Had
Warned Him to Desist in
Pulpit Expressions.

Gary Ind. Aug. 25.-PoIice obtained
no cIew to-day to the murderers of Rev
Edmund Kayser, pastor Of St James
Evangelical Lutheran church in Toll
lesion, a suburb. whose body was
found bound near his church last night.
He had been shot to death.
Although the murderers left no clew
to their identity the police believe the
preacher had been slain by anti-Ger-
man sympathizers. He recently had
requested police protection because Of
attacks on mis- outspoken advocacy Of
the German cause.
The clergyman was alone IN hts
home when he was attacked and indi-
cations are that he was fired on from
the yard. The house was in disorder
and there were evidences of a struggle.
Rev Hayser, whose home Is in "A
community of Slav steel workers. a
month ago appealed 10 Chief OF Police
Heintz for permission to carry a re-
volver. alleging that threats had been
made against his life Shortly after
the start of the European war the min
ister is said to have become involved
in heated arguments on the street with
sympathizers Of the allies. He is said
to have been threatened with violence
if he repeated his attacks On the
enemies Of Germany, and for several
weeks thereafter the members Of hts
congregation escorted him 70 and from
his church. Letters written to local
newspapers were attributed 10 him.
although not signed
Feeling has been intense in the com
munity in which the minister lived,
Rev MIR. Kayaer was born in Bavaria
20 years ago.
Family Away From Home.
Members Of Rev. Kayser's family
we're absent In Grand Rapids, Mich.
the home Of Mrs. Bayser's mother.
Money and jewelry on HIS person and
in the house were not disturbed.
Mr. Kayser was shot In the throat
and in the breast A cord, apparently
twisted out Of a lace curtain. was
loosely wound about his neck and
others were about his wrists. The po-
lice believe there we're two or three
assailants and that their first intention
was TO chastise the minister. He is be-
lieved to have been shot when he re-
sisted. and his body then taken TO
vacant lot nearby where II was found
an hour or so later
ToIieston originally was largely in
habited by Germans, but with the
founding OF Gary by the United States
Steel corporation many Slav steel
workers made ir their residence and
many more were employed at the tin
plate mills at Tolleston.
Another Theory Advanced.
A second theory Of the motive for
the crime engaged the attention Of
detectives today This theory was
based on limitations that certain mem
bers Of Mr. Kaysers congregation did
not approve of his conduct as a minis
ter.
BIo0dhouuds were brought to the
place where the body vas found but
they we're unable to pick up a scent
owing to the number Of persons who
had visited the scene.
Excerpts from threatening letters
which the preacher turned over TO the
postmaster read:
Before she leaves become green on
the trees you viii be stretched on the
ground"
Move away or dynamite will move
you
Neighbors we're aware OF the threat
euiug letters but those seen by detec-
tives today said they believed senti-
menf against the minister was on "Drl-
waite" grounds
II. b Snyder. postmaster at Tolles-
ton, explained that several months ago
SIR. kayser turned over to him sew
eraI threatening letters all written IN
German, warning him 10 cease his re-
lations with a certain Gary woman.
Postal Inspector John Hunter. ac-
cordng 10 the postmaster questioned
the woman. WHO denied the allegations
made in the letters and urged Hunter
to run down the person who was Sian
dering her.
War Worry Causes Suicide.
Burlington. Iowa, Aug 25.-Worry
the war in Europe. coupled
with sickness. caused Fred Claussen.
single, "a years old, to commit suicide
this morning He hanged himself with
q piece al window cord and to make
sure of his end, fired bullet into his
temple.