The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1876-08-23
THE LA RUE MYSTERY.
New YORK, August ", 1870.

NEW YORK, August ", 1876
To THE EDITOR THE HERALD:-
Tho death of Mrs. La Rue, supposed to have been
poisoned at No IL Clinton place, and the postmorsem
examination OF tho body have occupied prominent
place In the public attention for the last week. Tne
parties accused having been honoraby discharged oy
the authorities their statements come In order. Iney
make the following statement:-Mrs La Rue, the ds-
ceased left Buffalo six or eight weeks ago to begin
divorce proceedings against her husband. Mr. La
Rue was the son OF hotel keeper in Buffalo. to
whom sho had been married about years
Mrs briggs who has not lived in Buffalo for sixteen
years. met her casually In that city, and was intro
duced to her th0re carly last winter but did not nc
company ner to Now York. as stated Mrs La kue
here month before Mrs briggs arrived On
arriving the city Mrs. La Rue took board, as We I'M
derstsnd, AT the Ashland House. on Fourth avenue,
thence removing to No. 20 East Washington place, and
finally to No Il Clinton place. boarding house, kept
by Mrs. Callahan. When Mrs. briggs arrived in the
city she called Mrs La Rue at No. IL Clinton place.
A few days after this Mrs IA Rue was taken III with
typhoid dy sentcry and sent tor Mrs briggs 10 visit her.
time aud later by Dr. H. NJ. Deey, OF No IS West Thir-
tyirst street. Mira. Drugs neglected her own affairs
and attended tho sick lady Tor Two weeks. staying up
with her 10th day and night and furnishing money Tor
medicines and other necessaries A few days after
Mrs La Rue was taken sick Dr. Richards teegraphed
to her family at Buffalo TO send means or come on I'm
medatey, as Mrs. La Ruc was very i'll. They delayed
coming and meanwhile some OF the expenses were
paid by Mrs. Drggs While The patient was yet clearly
In her mind she gave the Jcwery worth perhaps $loO,
all tod) to Mrs. Drugs for safe Keeping, and the same
TO be gwen 10 nobody except IN case OF her death,
when It was to 20 to her family On last Saturday,
alter Mrs. La Rue had been sick two weeks and not
expected TO live her brother George +. Wackerman,
young mao without means arrived IN this city. Mrs.
Drugs then sent for her stepson, the undersigned,
and advised with him and other parties as TO what
disposition the jewery would be best, their
advice she deposited 1t with the Stuyvesant Safe de-
post Company, excepting ono ring This ring II was
decided To pawn, In order 10 raise the means then
nccessary-her brother not having brought any with
jewclry Monday Mrs. briggs not wishing to leave
tho deceased gave the 10 Mr. briggs her stepson,
TO pawn and deliver tho ticket and money 10 hor
that evening at nine O'Clock. He desiring TO 90 10
the house made arrangements TO meet her, and
because sho tailed to carry out the arrange
that evening Mrs. La Rue, IN her delrium,
spoke OF being poisoned. Her brother hastily
went to the police authorities and entered
charges. Before Mr.. briggs note arrived Mrs briggs
arrested and taken to the Fifteenth precinct and
and on the arrival of Mr.. briggs he was found
the arrangements the slightest intention Of de-
frauding Mrs La Rue her family. II was simply
the only arrangement by which money could DO raised
which was indspensaby necessary Tor the deceased
When the arrests took place these circumstances were
tortured into accusations against us.
Ambitious reporters have strivcn industrtously 70
work up splendid sensation, and in their excrtons
have drawn heavily others inagnatiOns Tor thsir
facts We reply TO the slanderous personal reports so
ndustrously aud ndecently mixod in with the above
ing malicious circuaters Of such that we intend "a
hold them directly responsible for all such falsehooda
Mrs. G. II. briggs.
A. c. BRIGGS.