Arrested on Suspicion

New York, 1895

Did Michael Resz Poison Batasia Krug for His Money?

Coroner Nutt and a jury concluded an inquiry touching the death of Batasia Krug, who was found dead in his room at the house of Michael Resz, on Beaver street, Jamaica, on Saturday, May 4th. It was at first supposed that the death of Krug was caused by poison. After the first adjournment of the inquest the coroner received an anonymous letter to the effect that if he did not thoroughly investigate Krug's death a step further would be taken.

When Officer Peterson went to remove the body he found in the pocket of Krug's coat a package of Paris green. Resz said to him, "I hope they won't think I put it there."

The testimony before the coroner showed that Krug had on October 2, 1894, given Resz $431, and signed an agreement that for the above sum he was to take care of Krug until his death, and then give him a decent burial. He had his life insured for $100, which was to be paid to Resz.

George W. Allen testified that about a month ago Krug came to his place and said that on that morning Mrs. Resz told him that his services were no longer required, and that he was expected to pay his board. He showed Mr. Allen the agreement between himself and Resz and asked him what he should do.

Patrick Redington was at work at Resz's place Saturday, May 4. About 4 o'clock Resz called him up stairs, and he saw Krug lying dead upon the bed. Resz brought out some Paris green from under the bed in a pan. He saw nothing in the room that a man could drink out of.

John S. Higbie testified that he went to Resz's store about 6 o'clock to purchase a pair of shoes. Resz gave him a pair to try on, and then sat down and continued his work. While he was trying on the shoes a man came down stairs and spoke to Resz in German. Resz ran up stairs. He returned in a few minutes and called to his wife, and they both went up stairs: "There is a man dead up stairs. Will you come up and see him?" He went up. There was a pan on the floor near the bed with Paris green in it.

The jury found that the deceased came to his death from Paris green poisoning, and that the circumstances are so far suspicious as to warrant the holding of Michael Resz for the action of the grand jury.

Immediately upon the rendition of the verdict, Resz was arrested and locked up in the Town Hall. He will have an examination before a justice this afternoon.

—The Long Island Farmer, Jamaica, NY, May 17, 1895, p. 1.

Too Extravagant By Half

1901

The manner in which one defaulting cashier was detected was rather peculiar. It was all due to the curiosity of the women of his neighborhood. He went to no expense in the way of dressing, they never heard of his gambling or drinking to any extent, he was a model husband, but he loved a good table. There was nothing unusual in this, but one day when the ladies of the vicinity were discussing the best method of cooking meats the wife of the cashier declared very innocently that her husband doted on ham, but he would not eat it unless it had been boiled in champagne. "Boiled in champagne!" exclaimed the listeners. "Heavens, how expensive! We couldn't afford to have ham on our table often if we cooked it that way."

It was soon noised all around the neighborhood that Cashier Blank was a high liver indeed, and the men began telling of his uplifted ideas of cookery. This soon reached the ears of the directors of the bank, and they concluded it might be wise to investigate the accounts of such an epicure. Plain water was all they could afford for their hams, so the champagne lover was called up and subsequently relegated to the pen, where he had to forgo his pet dish for many, many weary days. — Louisville Times.


Human Nature

It is human nature to deride what we cannot possess, to deny what we cannot understand and to insult those we envy. — Chicago News.

Music and Bombs

1920

Music and the making of bombs do not go together, and the man who is radically against his government has no music in his soul, asserts the New York Mail. These facts are both evident, say reports of those who have investigated the homes of "suspects" for the Government.

"No musical instrument, not so much as a harmonica, has ever been found in a home that was raided by Government authorities in connection with Bolshevism," says M. M. Roemer, member of a music goods sales corporation.

—The Saturday Blade, Chicago, Jan. 3, 1920, p. 6.

The Too Sensitive Woman

1910

Those Easily Offended Bring Upon Themselves Many Sorrows That Are Unnecessary

Many are the sorrows of the easily offended. Should she be invited nowhere, it is for spite; should she, on the other hand, be asked to social events, it is for policy, and everyone will avoid her when she gets there.

No one in the world cares anything for her; her friends are false and her enemies many, though all undeserved. Every remark made about her contains a hidden innuendo, and any persons talking whispers in her hearing are gossiping about her.

She believes no proofs of affections, but is haunted always by the thought that the most trusted are the least trustworthy. She takes nothing for granted, but asks permissions and favors that others would never dream of as subjects for question.

And her thoughts are very real ones. It is easy to sneer at the too sensitive woman, but her life is wretched, and there is no one to throw on her the spiritual cold water she needs.

Let her only learn that there are others in the world besides herself, that she for her part has many virtues which must necessarily endear her to her acquaintances, and that if she would have confidence she will gain fidelity, and there will be an end of her, now, and forever!