New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1859-01-17
LAYER, THE WIFE MURDERER.
Froa TAs ST Pasl Itsss.

Inc p4ItsCulars WnlCt nave Cotb W n8n> az
to this horrible affair, after so long silence, reveals
one OF the mcet strocious and f.ndish cTsmoe ever
committed in this state. Lswrence Lahyer, the prs
oner, Is Frenchman, and came over to this country
in the year 1876. For q tins, he remained an New
York, but failing to ind sny employment which AZ
fordei BIN satisfactory compensation, he removed
to Illinois, and for a time resided in Chicago. He
aterwerd went to Wisconsin, and after roauing about
for come time in differeaf parts Of that State, he
reached Racine, where he commenced 70 learn the
trade of blacksmith With Mr.. Wrgnt Of that place.
He remained there until he had acquired sufficient
knowledge of bis business TO commences fos himself,
and then retraced hrs steps 81 Chicago, where ho
found situation, and remained steady workman up
10 TIE wear 1851 or 3D. IL May OF that year, be cf
Chicago with the intention Of coming ~ Minneeots.
ON hs wsy cut, he stopped at Milwaukee, where
he became acquainted with Swiss woman named
Hannah Mood OF M,ud She bad been but shon
time in this country and appears Ia have had no other
relatives on this eide Of the water ou an uncle residing
IN Milwaukee, and with whom, at tina, time, she was
stopnipy We nave been unable - learn ms name,
but lalyer says he is still there To TINS woman no
ppposed marriage, having made kuown 70 nsr his M
Ientiors and by offering her sU0 10 money and WIN
promises to pay her passage back in case che Did not
k. the scene of their future heme, he persuaded Der
to accompany him to St. Psul. under promise OF mar
rage after they should reach there. Larger and ms
woman arrived here In the Spring VI Fall OF 49,, and
were soon after msrr.ed. He built shop, commenced
work and for time ndussr,ous and managed 10
save money Soon siterward be formed the acquaInt-
aDce Of a man named Philip kraishsr, and the two
be came partners in keeping the hotel known o. the
Galena House. Lahyer remained in this business but
a short tIm.-his partner selling out aud taking
saloon in upper town, sud was subsequently joined oy
La WIZ In X E,n;sa., LA on, o. T aE.sr
ho,ei, In tne on " -, III
about seven miles north Of this city he wen. 10 farm
ing. lie WIS again joined by Lahyer, who b.d pur-
chased adjoining property, and Tor long Tune hstSo
tan iies were oonicleu unasr one roo,. a..
wife attended il WITH circnmss. ces well calcu
lated ~ grouse SUSPICION anu chaheoso vesussson,
Lahyer was living On th'ee premises. HIS uomcsuc
troubles seemed 10 increase, am snoft ue Pri"' 10
the muIdtr he was taking OF oDtaihlog divorce IRON
h wife, with whom he alleged No could mot nve, snd
made application 10 Messrs. Mssterson ana nohs,
his attorneys for that purpose which WAS attended 70
but denied. On the second Tuesday IN October 1890
he day of the election as near az we have been able
10 ascertain, Lahyer had quarreilwith his wife, dur
ing which be dealt her bow which ieled ner sense
lees To the hoor ms osD stofl ater wpch ne oo-
tanned some weapon and completed ms mdrderons
purpose In order to hide his gallt ana remove AL
evidence as TO the horrible fate OF ms we me- assisted
BY man who worked for HIM, procured horse and
removed her hisiess BODY 70 building wni.h ne set
freto. The body was mostly consumed, nothing re-
naming but the cbarred bones ana piece o. tho sess
she must have had on az the Tune: Anerwafs these
remains were gathered up oy TINS innuinan monster
and buried IN hastily aug grave ON the spot Wners
the building had stood.
Lahyer having accomplished MS purpose, gave OUT
to his Legbbors as an excuse Tor The absence OF n
wife that she had quarieled with him. and IN nj oil
rage bad set FIRE TO the premises burned and then ran
away and left him. Notwithstanding all these cream
staLces, and the knowledge tnat Lsiyer was n'ng
uubappily with his VILE, and her sudden disappear
apce indeed remarkably singular that the officers
of the law should have permitted the whole ahar 20
pass by without rgid invesuSstoh Oh All ss IaSss
ana circumstances connected WIN tne care. CeIt'n
it Ia that no 'hng was done anu Lahyet aiser
ing here some two moGtns, gave out ms Intention
OF gopg away IIlman, the atcompnUe OF Lanyer,
haa already gone. no knew where, and the hor-
rbe secret remained locked up in the breast OF Layer
and his friend Kruisber, who seems to have known
all about II from the confession OF the murderer him.
sef. What earthly consideration couid nave possessed
this man to have sealed ais Is during the iong Pc
nod which has parsed IS indeed mystery he denies
having been bfioed e. Keep silent ana EXCUSES himself
by saying that he did not believe the story told him
by LsliJer. But " murder will out Lshyer tells as
that after leaving here ne went 70 ot. uis anu rom
t1 re he made trip up 10 the missoun RIVER ouose
quenty be went to New'Orfans, but renamed mere
bot a short time when he returned ana stopped ~
Prairie du Chen, where he resumed his cid business
that Of blacksmith, and where he was arrested on
MoDdsy last. Tie particulars which led to his arrest
are there Lalyer bao formed the acquaintance Of .
man by the name OF Ogissband, To whom he revsaied
the secret Of having murdered bis wife near this city
ard felt some fears lest the discovery OF her remsin.
should lead to hs arrest and Punishment. He wanted
this man 10 come here and remove these reraans
described to him the spot where they cound BE- found
and also gave the name Of kruisher, who be H. said
would assist him IN hndng them. Oglesbsnd refused
to have anything 10 do with 1t, and Laiiyer hnding
that ho was mistaken IN the man, feared that Ogles
band would tell what had been tod nun, and thus Inc
Fearing Lahyer would attempt hi; hIe, knowing