Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1920-11-21
Hon. HIS SUtU1ai,
Devised TO
Unsuspecting

n TOST wife murderers have
M been contented to take only
- the life of the woman they
planned to get rid of and arrange
the details of saving their own necks
as best they could. But Lieut.. Carl
Wanderer, recently convicted Of
shooting his wife in Chicago, coolly
added another murder TO the tragedy
to insure his own safety.
IT was we'll thought out plan.
The former machine gun officer had
fallen in love with another woman.
Mrs. Wanderer was in tho way
there was no fault to find with her,
she was pretty, devoted, but she
nnconsciously interfered with his in.
tcntion to marry the other girl
The problem was TO get rid OF his
wife--to kill hcr-and not risk dis
covery. Lieut. Wanderer pondercd
the thing long and carefully. At last
he hit upon 4 scheme. 1t seemed
TO fit the situation in all respects
and he went over it again and again
working out the details II his mind.
If the lieutenant could find just
the right man, there could be no
doubt OF complete success. He would
frame bogus highwayman attack
In the confusion OF the pretended
robbery Wanderer would calmly
shoot his wife. drop the pistol at her
feet and shout for help as he pointed
to the fleeing figure OF his accom-
plice.
But where was he to find a map
to play tho part Of highwayman?
For several weeks Wanderer fire.
quented the dives of the worst sec:
lions OF Chicago searching for his
man. In the midnight lunch rooms
he studied the ragged patrons In
the back rooms of saloons he sat at
the tables, bought drinks and engaged
the seedy ones in conversation. But
he was cautious, very cautious. Not
every one would do. He must be
constituencies wretch. of course.
who would agree to be partner
In such n diabolical assassination. An
yet he must not he n drunken. garrulou
ass who would I'll up on liquor and tai
about II.
- 700 iiShs lHiIiS 10 unIolQ his plan
TO stranger 1t would not do to nick
married man or a we'll known Chicap
tramp because Wanderer had in mind
feature OF the crime which made 1t hiphl
desirable that his confederate should no
ne Identified. II was n man little know
IN chicago, that would be the ideal no,
soma newcomer or a stranger. II possibIf
Al last Wanderer found his man
Canadian, former soldier hard.ur
ragged, soulless scoundrel The Lieutenan
bought drinks and warmed " mis- no,
friend. They talked and drank and Wa,
derer said good night with an appoin
ment to meet again next day-but not
word had the Lieutenant said about IN
murder scheme.
So for several days Wanderer and In
ragged stranger met and talked and tn
'f.ielttcnant watched him closely and slowl
prohed the depths of his criminal cha,
acter. AT last he decided that the Can;
dian ne'er-do-well would do Wanderer III
folded his plans. Would the ragged on
hide in the shadows OF the doorway Z
Wanderers home and, as he and his VIII
came In from the theatre. make a pretenC
or holding them up? The stranger needn
take any part in the murder, II was @,
planned; Wanderer himself would atten
10 al that. The stranger would not eve
need n pistol-Wanderer would fire til
fatal shot. Just be there in the dark ye
tibule. pretend 10 be a hlghwaymhn an
then run away-and Wanderer would ma
the promised reward
II was agreed
But, with cruel smile. Wanderer shoe
hands on the bargain and omitted tn mo,
ton that two shots would he fired and tn
first one would be into the heart OF IN
ragged stranger.