The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1876-06-07
CONFESSION OF A POISONER
SCHOOL TEACHER MURDERS
THREE PERSONS F0R $3.50.
Particulars Of the Easton Trsgedy-why
Allen Laros Poisoned his Father, Mother,
sister and Brother-The Coroner's Inquest.

Particulars Of the Easton Traaedy-Why
Allen Laros Poisoned his Father. Mother,
Sister and Brotber-The Coroner's In quest.
EAsToN, June 5.-The poisoning of the
Laros family, which has been the subject OF
conversation In this community for the last three
OF four days. proves to be a strange tragedy.
Martin Laros, the murdered man, resided Just
below Sandito EDDY, about four miles from this
place. The family consisted OF himself, his
wife. six children, and Moses schug, who board
ed with him. Allen, the eldest son, aud the
alleged murderer, taught school at a small place
called Schoeruntown. about half way between
his home and Easton. On Wednesday of last
week bio did not come home until evening. The
family sat down to supper together. ana were all
In good health and spirits. While the m sal was
In progress two or more Of the victims spoke OF
the peculiar taste OF the coffee, but Allen ridi-
cued the idea and took, or pretended to take, a
swallow OF II himself. Almost as soon as the
meal was over all who had partaken OF 1t were
taken violently sick. Az soon as possible
once told them they were suffering from the
effects Of some kind OF poison. In some cases
but IN others death eusued. Mrs. Laros died
about A.. NJ on Thursday and her husband 40
about o'clock OF the same day. Next came
Moses schug, who died on Friday afternoon.
AT this wri ing all OF the rest are living, but Il IL
more than likely that two OF them cannot last
THE INQUEST.
On Thursday jury was impanneled bv the
coroner, and large number of witnesses were
elected that would throw any light Whatever
upon the cause OF the tragedy or Its perpetrdtor.
An examination OF the coffee pot which had
been used at the fatal neal revealed the presence
OF large quantity OF white sediment This was
Alter very thorough search IL was found that
on Monday, Tuesday, or "Wednesday Of last |
week some one had purchased four and one
nal n hat ftala utn DOM k,.e
place.
The druggist feeling certain Of his ability to
identity the person to whom he had sold the
poison, was taken to the house In which the
murder was committed. and the result was that,
upon being confronted with Allen {. Laros, he
recognized him as the man who had purchased
the poison. His testimony left no doubt us to
the identity Of the party, since bottle OF tsoth
powder purchased at the same time was found
In the room occupied by the suspected man.
The additional IMPORTANT testimony elected
tie desk belonging to Martin Laros was broken
gone, aud that The trunk used by Moses Schus |
was rned at the same time. and his money |
taken from II. The tneft OF tho money left no |
doubt as to tue motive for the murder. The |
testimony OF the physicians To their belief that |
Allen Laros's sickness was fegned, aud the |
druggists identification OF him rs the purchaser
he W ; tho murderer, and they gave a verdict |
accordingly. Allen denied all knowledge Of the |
crime.
THE scuooLMAsTER coNFEssEs.
warrant for his arrest was served upon him |
by an ofilcer who, accom- panied by another pro- |
ceeded to search his room. They had been there
but short time, wnen Allen sat up IN bed and |
std, 81 did IT," The room was then |
cleared OF all except the two ON ,ers and |
neighbor. and in the presence OF these
the murderer made his confession. He said |
that he had procured the poison and placed It |
In the coffee pot that be had taken the money |
on the same day tnat the murder was commit |
ted. and that the reason for committing the !
deed was that he wanted them all dead, 50 |
that he might have tue use OF whatever there
was; that he knew he had done wrons. and |
that he wished Code people To pray for him. |
He told the officers where they would 1nd the |
money, and an examination Of the spot whicl |
he pointed out disclosed place where the
earth show ed that II had been lately disturbed. |
After digging about eighteen inches the officers |
came upon two pocket books, which were |
found TO contain about $3.50. the sum for which |
Allen Laros had planned to send father, mother,
brother and sister into eternity, When he was
taken to the carriage. and In passing looked
upon the bodies OF bis victims, nothing ike |
sorrow was visible In bis countenance. During
his ride to Easton he made allusion 10 his |
act other than to say that he did not know |
how he came to do It," He IL twenty-one years |
of age, nve feet eight or nine inches In h eght, |
anu hts general make up Is that Of a gentleman.
lie was registered rs a student at law some |
time during nuarv or February bv promi- |
nent attorney Of this place. He was committed |
TO the county jail Saturday evening, there to
await his trial.