The New York herald., 1879-03-03
WRE7CHED HENRY LANE.
A Once Wealthy Merchant Sent to
Blackwell's Island.
SINGULAR COURT PROCEEDINGS.
Both Sides Of Very Distressing
Domestic Story.

e
aged man with long gray hair and beard sloven'y
dress and noticeable halt in his gait He carried
cane in one hand and his arm hung au old coat
The prisoner Mr.. Henry ]. Lane once the
wealhiest lumber merchant in the city of BROOKLYN
and the charge. which was preferred against him by
his wife. insanity and i'll treatment of his family
''You have been here before' said Justice Otter.
bourg.
II beg pardon, Your Honor, but never before
was behind prison bar and have never committed
crme," replied the old gentleman. in a feeble tone.
'Your children and your wife complain that You
crazy and that you beat them and drive them
from their home"
"aod knows. Judge. never struck child of mine
in my life.'
'In default of $500 bonds to keep the peace you
stand committed to the Island for two months"
TAKEN TO PRISON.
At this the old man lmped after the officer and as
he passed his family in the hall seemed to be CON-
petely overcome with grief and broke down utterly
as he bid them adieu. The wife was not apparently
much Affected but the daughters felt the separation
deeply. The prison doors clanked behind the unfor-
tunate' man. and few minutes later he was behind
the bars in the City Prison, but out Of respect for
his age the keeper kindly allowed him % walk
about in the corridor instead Of locking him
up in cell. HERALD reporter visited the
prison few moments later. Mr.. Lane was hob
bling up and down the hail. and his condition was
truly pitiable. His appearance much reminded one
OF Rip Van Wrinkle after his sleep of twenty years
As the reporter spoke to him his blue eyes bright
ened and he consented to relate the story his life
and how he came to be in prison.
cHEcKEREp CAREER.
Henry J. Lane was born in Buxtown. Me-. April 13,
1921. His father was wealthy farmer and lumber
dealer He remained at school until he was nineteen
years Of age. leaving home thon for a tour through
the East. He visited New York city, and while
here concludeds to cross the Atlantic. A month
London.
curiosity there he turned his mind to business.
New long oseSSs Tyas and in took sailing
to transfer regiment of soldiers by water to Point
Isabella. For this purpose he invested $4,000
o schooner Before the vessel reached its destn-
alton storm overlook them and they were ship
wrecked. The vessel became total wreck but all
Point Isabella he had just $3.50 out of the $1,000
which he had invested. With this he started in
business, selling trnkets among the soldiers, which
business he followed for several months, realizing
over $4,000
Returning to New Orleans he worked at different
things, and in the year 18f9 married young Irish
lady named Catharine Holland. Shortly after his
marriage he made another marine venture; but like
the former, it proved failure the vessel striking
a sand bar and causing him loss Of $4,000 With
what little capital he had left he returned to this
city and started small grocery store in Fifth
street This also proved . financial failure.
and in a few months he gave it up.. Sub
sequentiy employed, at large
salary. by Yost Hanford Il Coffin, lumber dealers,
in Jersey City. as their foreman About two years
Chicago. where after speculating for short time
he returned and was employed as foreman by r. w.
whom he continued until 1865, at u salary OF $1,000
por year. In 1865 he made trip South in sailing
craft to take charge OF large amount Of lumber for
his employer.
SUCCESS AT LAST.
During this year his father died suddenly leaving
no will Henrys share Of the estate amounted to
So 0o0. and putting this with the savings of two
years he embarked extensively in the lumber busi-
ness Washington avenue, Brooklyn. This bust .
ness proved very successful and no
the possessor Of large fortune He pur-
chased and handsomely furnished of tho
finest four story brown stone fronts one of the
principal avenues in Brooklyn. While his two
daughters were receiving education at college his
wife moved in good society and his friends increased
in number. After remaining in business for HIM
ploye OF the Erie Railway Company. He was EN-.
ploycd by them for only i've months, but at tho end
OF that time had added to his fortune the sum Of
$4,000.
His affairs managed entirely by his wife and
on returning from btfsness he informed by his
wife that their money in bank all gone and she
had mortgaged the property for $4,000 With $500
he opened i restaurant in Fulton street. Brooklyn,
but in less than year lost all that ho had invested
mother m%oftgae % was Soa cod on the the oro"n stone
family managed to keep up their standing in society.
Matters were becoming CRITICAL and only with great
effort could they manage to pay the interest on tho
mortgages. At last Mr.. Lane compelled to nc
cept position III lumber yard at SIS per week.
Oe article furniture after another was disposed
| OF and the proceeds were used to stay the fore
closure OF the mortgages. The property was finally
sold Sherfs sale, and the once proud family were
obliged to up with two three dingy rooms in
| q tenement house. Mr.. Lane had been u prominent
| Free Mason. aud member of Nassau Lodge, No.
$50, but owing his financial embarrassments could
| not pay bis dues.
His next move to take charge Of tenement
house the corner OF Prince and Elizabeth streets.
| His family occupied two rooms the third floor.
| While in charge of these promises he met with q
serious accident which came resulting In his
death One he stopped out into the hall thinking
that he heard some one trying to force entrance
the building While there he was struck on the head
| by an unknown person and knocked down flight OF
| stairs. When he recovered consciousnass he
lying in the hospital with his WRIST jaw and hipbono
broken and one hip disocated He still had in his
possession the deed of lot in Greenwood, which he
had purchased when prosperous, aud to defray the
expenses OF his sickness. which lasted for eleven
months this was sold.
ALLEGED INDICATIONS OF INSANITY
| When no was discharged from the asylum II was
remarked that the old exactly in his
right mind but he stouty protested his sanity He
recovered from the injury to his hips and
crippled as to walk with difficulty. Both Mr.. and
Mrs. Lane have many wealthy relatives, but none Of
them, they say rendered the unfortunate family any
aid. Last Tuesday, while Mr.. Lane sat medtating by
| the window, some dispute as to watch arose be
| tween the mother and one of the daughters. lie
| tried to quiet matters, whereupon his wife turned
upon him. He became greatly excited used q few
hard words. and putting on his hat eit the house.
| deserted Ho took up his seat as before by tho
window. In about half an hour his wife returned
| accompanied by three policemen. who desired MIR.
"fIave You q warrunts" said Mr. Lane; "if you
| have not don't lay your hands on me. >.
The officers left the premises aud Mr.. Lane re-
NAMED alone that night, his family going to neigh-
boris house and declaring that lie was insane.
ARRESTED LOCKED UP.
The following day the husband remained In the
room and tho mother explained nj the Mulberry
street station house that he q mailman and had
Threatened TO kill her Aid her children. Upon
this complaint q warrant issued for his arrest.
After being locked up in the station house over
night ne Was taken before Justice Otcrbourg, at tho
Tombs Police Court. The mother and one of tho
daurntcrs appeared against him. The mother was
stern but the daughter girl nineteen years of age,
seemed greatly moved, aud Mr.. Lane himself could
not refrain from shedding tears lie pleaded strongly
fH his release, but tile story told by his wife pre-
vailed over all that hc could say.
COULD THEY rHING?
Mr.. Lane closed the interview by saying to the re.
porter:- never struck OF my family during
my life never threatened thcin and as for being
maniac do talk like onoy know that am getting
childish. but still love my fnmily OH how cnnld