The New York herald., 1879-11-26
THE WAY OF THE TRANSGRESS0R.

ALBERT LAvERGNE AGAIN IN THE HANDS OF
THE PoIIcE-AccUsING HIMSELF on EN-
BEzzLEAlENT-sKETcH OF HIS TURBULENT
CAREER.
One of those strange characters who occasionally
foat up on the wave of metropolitan crime and ro-
Inance-and every time in different r6te-made
his appearance again yesterday. Abraham Levy.
alias Albert Levy, alias Albert Lavergne. according
to his own story whilom African SLAYER. brazilian
diamond hunter. king of q savage tribe in Mozam-
bique. spy in the Franco-German army. miner In
the Black Hills and diamond broker in Chicago.
who two years ago attempted suicide from 5eal-
ousy. and later sent to Blackwells Island
for threatening to kill his sister-n-law, again
brought his strange and adventurous career to the
notice Of the police. The circumstances of his rent
his most singular career.
Yesterday morning Lavergne voluntarily sur
rendered himself to Captain Williams. of tho Twen-
ty-ninth precinct. He said that old indictment
for embezzlement was pending against him in Paris.
France. and that he fugitive from justice. He
represented that lie desired to be sent back to
Paris, where he was anxious to surrender
as 70 ws we'll ns Known
Captain Williams from his previous exploits III this
city that official conducted him to Police Head
quarters. where Superintendent Walling heard his
strange story, and not knowing how to dispose OF
the case instructed Captain Williams to take his
prisoner to the French Consul's Office in Bowling
Green. Tho Vice Consul therefore appealed to,
but he declined to interfere
LAvEnGNx's CONFESSION.
Lavergne said that he left Paris for London De-
cember 2l 1876 At the latter place he took passage
on board the Utopia of the Anchor line for
this city. He intrustsd with $4,000 worth of
diamonds by his brother-in-law. which he was COM
nissioned to SELL He represented that he appropr-
ated the proceeds OF the sales to his own use.
Having squandered all the money in dissipation he
anxious to be sent back to Paris to stand trial
for his offence. lnasmuch as the French Consul had
jurisdiction in the Lavergnes extraordinary
request could not be complied with and he was set
1t Was in September. 1877. that Lavergne was
first brought into public notice through his very
sens anG pa AZ rnsst tue
for the act assigned to be violent jealousy
OF his wife,. After recovering from his wound
Lavergne sank again into obscurity. In October.
1878. he reappeared as prisoner charged with an
attempt to kill his sster-in-law. Maggie Bennett.
who had interfered in behalf Of her unfortunate
sister.
Lavergne, after being committed on that OCCASION
narrated to q reporter OF the HERALD his own
strange history. He said he born in Lorraine.
France in ls49. and brought up in Paris where his
At the outbreak of the Franco-German war he en-
tered the French service as spy and was captured
He managed to escape, went to Brazil. where
he became . successful diamond hunter and
up in Africa, where he tried in vain
to join Staneys expedition from Zanzibar. He next
up.hiS tent In the portuguese penal Settlemenb
at Delagoa Bay and at Mozambique. where one OF
the native tribes made him their ruler. He became
turned up again in New York in 1876 with S20.UoO.
Here he met Daisy Bennett, alias Hazel Barton and
went to Deadwood. Black Hills. where he made
some fortunate mining ventures Upon his return
to this city he married Daisy Bennett.
Lavergne was sent to Blackw els Island for twelve
months and upon his discharge. which was before
the end of his term, he made his reappearance
as prisoner in police court. beng charged with
throwing his landlord down the stairs Of his own
house. 1t appeared that Lavergne had lived in the
house under an assumed name, and as soon as the
landlord discovered his strange lodgers identity he
barred his entrance to his house. Lavergne, how
ever forced an entrance and melee ensued, in which
the landlord signally worsted and sent flying
dovv the eta