Reta Christina Gordner

Other Events:

• Interesting: murdered, life story
• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-49281
• Crime: 1930, Montreal, Ile De Montreal, Quebec; murdered by George Redfern
• Misfortune: 1930; murdered by George Redfern - poisoned

Notes:

On May 10th Noah Gardner's daughter, Rita the eldest left Baden with George H. Redfern of Kitchener, married salesman, to Montreal presumably on a business trip. Not against the wishes of her parents and expecting to return on Sunday evening in order to be at the place of employment in a Kitchener office. But she never returned alive.

Mr. Redfern poisoned her in a room in the Hotel Viger, making a clear getaway from Montreal. She had feared to go with him somehow, but he was so insistent. Rita was engaged to Mr. Harry Capling to be married this summer. Mr. Redfern pretended to be very wealthy and so kept the friendship of the family. The motive for the crime seems to hinge on a grudge against young Capling and so avenged himself by killing this highly respectable young 23 year-old girl of Baden.

May 22nd at London Ontario Mr. George Redfern was arrested this morning and jailed. But after being in for two hours he died - apparently administered Strychnine to his own body causing death.

__________________________

Poison Victim Buried at Baden

Died From Strychnine Poisoning in Montreal Hotel - Murder Suspected

This community was stirred into excitement last week when it became known that a girl found dead in an hotel in Montreal, happened to be Miss Reta Gordner, the 22 year old daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Noah Gordner, of Baden. She was an office clerk in the Kaufman Rubber factory at Kitchener for some time and there made the acquaintance of one G. H. Redfern, who was for some time past a frequent visitor at their Baden home. On Saturday, May 10th Redfern is alleged that he had to go on a business trip to Montreal and asked the girl to go with him and she reluctantly accompanied him with the apparent intention of returning to her work on the following Monday morning. When she did not return to her home on Monday night, as usual, some alarm was felt and it was on the following day that the sad disclosure was made that it was her dead body which was found in the Montreal hotel.

Redfern and the girt left from Galt on Saturday evening for Montreal and were registered for two separate rooms at the hotel under assumed names On Monday Redfern is said to have told the chambermaid that his sister was ill and was not to be disturbed. On the following day her dead body was found lying on the bed in Redfern's' room. A postmortem examination revealed the fact that the girl had died from strychnine poisoning but otherwise all her organs were in normal condition.

Redfern purchased strychnine at a Kitchener drug store about one month ago. He wanted it to kill rats at the Dowler store where he was employed as a clerk. He is wanted by the police for questioning in regards to the death but so far he has eluded the police and no trace of him has been found. He is wanted for non-support of a wife and further investigations revealed the feet that he had drawn a loan on two insurance policies and it is alleged had forged his wife's name to the cheques therefor.

The case seems to be baffling to the police as no motive for the crime, if such has been committed, has so far come to light.

Mr. Gordner went to Montreal and identified the body of his daughter. Her remains were brought to Baden and interment took place last Friday with a private service at the house and interment in the Baden cemetery. Rey. Mr. A. E. Pletch, of the New Hamburg Evangelical church conducted the obsequies.

The tragic death of Miss Gordner is keenly felt by a large circle of friend. and much sympathy is felt for the parents and her two sisters in their sad bereavement The deceased as in her 23rd year and was a cheerful and popular girl among her friends in the village.

Probe Suicide Report

Niagara Falls, Ont. authorities received word that George H. Redfern is believed by his relatives to have committed suicide in that city.

The Falls police are conducting an investigation and thorough search for Redfern, believing, they say. he furnished Kitchener authorities with a fake suicide clue in order to cover op his disappearance.

It was learned that a man answering Redfern's description registered at a Niagara Falls hotel on May 12 without any baggage, and left the hotel at 9 o'clock on Tuesday night giving no forwarding address. In his room were found a soft felt hat, from which the label with the manufacturers name had been removed. A soiled collar and bow tie.

Detective Chief George H. Callinan received a telegram from Kitchener authorities stating that Redfern's family received a letter on Tuesday from Redfern, postmarked Niagara Falls, NY., in which Redfern expressed his intention of committing suicide by going over the cataract.

New Hamburg Independent, May 23, 1930

Other Events:

• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-121530P
• Residence: 1891, Wilmot Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mennonite
• Occupation: 1904, Wilmot Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Farmer

Noah married Albertina Falk 24 May 1904, Wilmot Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. Albertina (daughter of Werner Falk and Elizabeth Helwig) was born 17 Oct 1882, Wilmot Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; died 1949; was buried , Fairmount Cemetery, Baden, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Name: Albertina Gordner
• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-79727P

Other Events:

• Eby ID Number: 00022-1612.3001
• Residence: 1852, Wilmot Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mennonite
• Occupation: 1871, Wilmot Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Farmer
• Residence: 1871, Wilmot Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mennonite
• Occupation: 1874, Wilmot Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; farmer
• Occupation: 1881, Wilmot Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Farmer
• Occupation: 1891, Wilmot Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Farmer
• Residence: 1891, Wilmot Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mennonite
• Occupation: 1901, Wilmot Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Laborer
• Residence: 1930, Baden, Wilmot Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada

Jacob married Rachel Roth 24 Mar 1874, Wilmot Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. Rachel (daughter of John L. Roth and Catherine "Katie" Boshart) was born 29 Jan 1857, Baden, Wilmot Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; died 8 Jan 1942, New Hamburg, Wilmot Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; was buried , Shantz Mennonite Cemetery, Wilmot Township, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Name: Rachel Gordner
• Eby ID Number: 00022-1612.3002
• Residence: 1871, Wilmot Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mennonite
• Residence: 1891, Wilmot Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mennonite

Notes:

Gordner.-Rachel Roth, wife of Jacob Gordner, was born Jan. 29, 1857; died Jan. 8, 1942; aged 84 y. 11 m. 10 d. She was married to Jacob Gordner. This union was blessed with 3 sons and 3 daughters. She was predeceased by her husband, 1 son, and 1 daughter. She is survived by 2 sons, 2 daughters, 14 grandchildren, and 4 great-grandchildren. She was a member of the Shantz congregation near Baden for many years. During her residence in Baden she faithfully attended Baden Mission. Funeral services were conducted at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Manly Zimmerman, New Hamburg, in charge of Bro. Orphen Wismer and at the Baden Mission by Bro. Manasseh Hallman. Interment at Shantz Cemetery.

GOSPEL HERALD - Vol. XXXIV, No . 44 - January 29, 1942 - pg 935

________________________________

Mrs. Rachel Gordner

The death of Mrs. Rachel Gordner occurred here on Thursday morning at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Nancy Zimmerman, with whom she had been staying for the past two years. She had been ill for over a year. The deceased, who was 85 years of age, was born in Baden, a daughter of the late John Roth. After her marriage to Jacob Gordner she resided for many years on a farm there. Her husband, one son and one daughter predeceased her. Surviving are 2 sons and 2 daughters, Mrs. Kate Schultz and Mr. Noah Gordner, Baden, and Mrs. Nancy Zimmerman and Mr. Moses Gordner of New Hamburg. The funeral will be held on Sunday afternoon with private service at the home of Mrs, Zimmerman at 2 o'clock followed by public service in the Baden Mission and interment in the Shantz Cemetery, Erb's Road.

New Hamburg Independent, January 9, 1942

Other Events:

• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-454590
• Occupation: 1874, North Easthope Twp., Perth Co., Ontario, Canada; Farmer

Werner married Elizabeth Helwig 14 Apr 1874, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. Elizabeth (daughter of Wigand Helwig and Maria) was born 1853, , Germany; died Yes, date unknown. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Name: Elizabeth Falk
• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-454591

Other Events:

• Name: Michael Gordner
• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-124407
• Occupation: 1852, Wilmot Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Farmer
• Residence: 1852, Wilmot Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mennonite
• Occupation: 1871, Wilmot Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Farmer
• Residence: 1871, Wilmot Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mennonite

Michael — Maria Stutzman. Maria was born 1806, , Germany; died Bef 1881. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Name: Maria Gardner
• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-124408
• Residence: 1852, Wilmot Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mennonite
• Residence: 1871, Wilmot Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mennonite

Other Events:

• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-25254
• Residence: 1844, Wilmot Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada
• Occupation: 1871, Wilmot Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Farmer
• Residence: 1871, Wilmot Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mennonite
• Residence: 1881, Wilmot Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mennonite
• Residence: 1891, Wilmot Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mennonite
• Retired: 1891, Wilmot Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada

John married Catherine "Katie" Boshart 14 Jan 1844, Wilmot Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. Catherine was born 1825, , France; died Yes, date unknown. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Name: Cathareine Boshard
• Name: Catherine "Katie" Roth
• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-25255
• Residence: 1844, Wilmot Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada
• Residence: 1861, Wilmot Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mennonite
• Residence: 1871, Wilmot Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mennonite
• Residence: 1881, Wilmot Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mennonite
• Residence: 1891, Wilmot Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mennonite

Other Events:

• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-454592

Andreas — Abertine. Abertine died Yes, date unknown. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Name: Abertine Falk
• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-454593

Other Events:

• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-454594

Wigand — Maria. Maria died Yes, date unknown. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Name: Maria Helwig
• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-454595