The Alaska daily empire., 1921-10-22
RUST IS ExONERATEDBY
 4 CONFESSION
Famous Kidnapping Case at Tacoma Has Agreeable Fin
 ale - The Confession.

ping Arthur Rust, the 20year- .on of w. R. Rust one of the own CTS of the Chichagoff mine, for the l alleged purpose of obtaining $25, ,O00 ransome from the boys father, but i who was acquitted on the strength of his testimony that the kidnap- ping was planned by young Rust, had signed confession in which he completely eXOnerated the boy. A recent issue of the Tacoma News Tribune contains photographic re- production of the written comics sion, signed by Van Ambrugh and duly witnessed.
 The Confession.
 The confession follows:
 TO Whom 1t May Concern:
 "I, the undersigned, Hugh H. Van Amburgh, for the purpose of right ing so far as possible a wrong to Arthur Rust, which, in order to se- tcure. my own safety, committed at my trial for Kidnapping him, and which has weighed on my conscience every since, do make voluntarily and of my own free will and accord the following statement:
 Arthur Rust was ill no manner party to his own Kidnapping either before or after getting into the automobile with me on the day of the Kidnapping. He had no acquaint- ance with me before that time. His testimony at the trial was true and correct and in strict accordance with the facts in every respect.
 "Witness my hand at Tacoma, Washington, this 21st day of Sep tember, 1921.
 "(Signed)
 "H. c. VAN AMBURGH" Witnesses:
 "PERCY P. BRUSH,
 U. CHARLES DENNIS"
 History of the Case.
 A statement, covering the history of the case and resume of the tes- timony, prepared by Chief of Police Harry Smith, of Tacoma, known in Juneau as one of the owners of the William Henry Bay mining property, also printed in the NewsTribune, follows:
 "On February 1, while walking to his work at The Bank of Cali fornia, where he is employed as al clerk, Arthur Rust, son of w. R. Rust. was Kidnapped by Hugh c. Van Amburgh and, at the point of a gun in the hands of Van Amburgh, was compelled to write a letter toI his father demanding $25, ,000 ran som. The kidnapper then filled Ar thurs ears with "newskin" and cot ton so he could not hear, strapped his hands together, strapped a blan- ket over his head so he could not see, and drove him from the tide ats back to the city. gave the letter to a messenger to be delivered to MT. Rust, who received it about 10 o'clock, A. M., got the money and started to the place designated to, ransom his son. Not being satisfied that everything was right he did not leave the money but returned tol his office and learned that his son had telephoned from the Puget oOuUu ITOH N otCcI AOiHpdhy lHot HC had been released. It is supposed that when Van Amburgh saw MT. Rust going to the tidefats he left Arthur expecting to find the money in the designated place.
 Chewed a Hole.
 "Arthur chewed a small hole inl the blanket and was able to see enough of the automobile to give q eood description of it, which was! published and reward offered for information that would lead to theI apprehension of the bandit. ThisI brought the desired results and Vanl Rmburgh was arrested and confess ed before the chief of police in thel presence of witnesses. He was then taken before the Grand Jury, where he was told that whatever he said would be used against him. After taking the oath he said he was glad to get it over with, that he hadl done the job alone, and was willing to take his medicine
 Wan Amburgh's brother called on MT. Rust, committee from thel Shelter also called and wanted himl to intercede in behalf of Van Am burgh, but MT. Rust told them that the matter was in the hands of thel authorities; that anyone who would| commit one of the worst crimes inj the calendar should be taken carel of, and that it was up to the offi-l cers of the law to do their duty. About this time Charles Van Am burgh, father of the kidnapper. re- turned from California, when they got the kidnapper out of Jail byl giving a bond signed by Paul Shaw Nand others. and then reports were1 Immediately circulated that it had all been planned by Arthur Rust. False Testimony.
 "At his trial Van Amburgh swore that he was going north on Broad way when he was hailed by Arthur. A witness, John Davis, testified that he was going north On the street car and that he saw someone in an au- tomobile going south hail Arthur. saw Arthur's surprised look and