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Jacob Rosenthal, American Jewish Merchant, Killed in Mexico by Kidnappers

September 20, 1926
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(Jewish Daily Bulletin)

Jacob Rosenthal, American Jewish merchant of Woodmere, L. I., was murdered Wednesday night by the bandits who kidnapped him on Sunday night while he was on his way in an automobile from Cuernavaca to Mexico City.

The bandits had held Rosenthal for nearly three days before sending a letter to Joseph Ruff, son-in-law of Mr. Rosenthal, demanding that 20,000 pesos be delivered by two mounted men at a spot on the Cuatla road several miles east of where Mr. Rosenthal was taken captive.

Mr. Ruff informed the American Embassy and the police of the letter and asked to be permitted to carry the ransom money to the bandits.

The Mexican authorities declined to permit him to deliver the ransom, but arranged for two soldiers to carry the bag in the hope of capturing the entire gang.

But this plan proved a failure, for when the bandits saw the troops approaching they decided that it would be impossible to escape if burdened with their captive, so they stabbed him to death with machetes.

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