The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1880-09-24
Ole aatsILlgs1Esr.
CAREER
4 nARoN oN nLAeKwsLL,s IsLAND.
A burglar who Proved TO be Belgian
Mathematician WeaIthtoPoy.
erty, Crime and Eel
on's Death.
non Tho n,r YORK H,rnld.

Il ohn bNuths
From the New York E,rd.
Seldom Is there found, even in re
nance, as strange history as that OF
man who died two weeks ago on peni
Tertiary pallet. For years living anon
the worst characters who infested tn,
metropolis, and steepedin crime as deepl!
as any Of them, It was only when tn,
grave closed upon him that his tru'
identity came 10 light, and in Black
wells Island convict was found to have
sinned and suffered Belgian nobleman
The burglar Harry Howard, whose dealt
was recent announced, had by that namt
been known to his criminal associates, bu
| It was alter he had been buried that the
woman who had shared part Of hi
changeful fortunes in life, revealed hi
secret, and her story being put into TIT
hands Of the police to be sifted, the follow
ing story came to light:
Fifteen years ago, at the age Of thirty
three, the Baron Herman de. ReiHenberg
left his home in Brussels, Belgium, ant
with a well filled pocketbook and good
bank account behind him landed in thiC
citv. He had an agreeable face, the man.
ners Of gentleman, plenty OF money and
residence in Brussels that was spoken Of
as q marvel. His relatives were noble and
comprised the best families OF his native
town. In city like this, one can readily
guess with what 4 reception such q man
was met. He was ieted and paraded in
the best society, and squandered his
money and enjoyed his slightes fancies to
their fullest extent. In this he was Joined
BY circle OF friends who from the first
formed little court for him. he had
concealed his title OF Baron and assumed
the name OF Louis de Laurie, the name OF
former companion Of his now dead. II
was BY this name he was known, and he
continued to hold it until the time Of his
death.
AT Intervals remittances were received
from his property and quickly disposed OF
by the Baron. Three years after bis ar
rival he made the acquaintance OF a Miss
Annie Sweeney, and after speedy court
ship they became man and wife. With
his bride the young Baron travelled all
through the country, and, returning to
New York City again, the couple took
apartments in hotel up town. A year
alter their marriage boy was the fruit OF
their union. Suddenly there was q stop
in the receipt otlunds. Letters and tele-
grams were dispatched, but there was no
reply nor any funds received, and De
Laurie began to learn that he had reached
the bottom Of his resources.
Here was dilemma. His friends and
family refused to contribute any more to
his eItrayagance, and he was finally left
without 4 cent and in debt for his board
bill. He then left the hotel and took up
quieter quarters, disposing OF yaluables to
sustain his family for the time being. The
Baron was splendidly educated, speaking
several languages, and he next endeayored
TO turn his talents TO some account. An
advertisement was placed in one OF the
morning newspapers that secured him
good position, but he had no sooner
obtaine this than he began habits OF
dissoIuteness which speedily led to his
discharge. From this time he steadily
went downward. The few years made
terrible change in his appearance:
One would not know in that wrinkled
face and disordered appearance the former
cav and dashing chevalier. His wife, too,
had lost the beauty that characterized her
early girlhood, and had fallen into the
same habits as her husband. In very
short while their home was the scene OF
the greatest beggary; but even In their
degradation they cared for the little child
Louis. In this way they continued to
struggle, until at last, during protract ed
spree Of both the father and mother, they
were all turned into the street for non.
PAYMENT OF rent. Their condition now
could not be any lower. They had sunk
to the condition OF beggars and became
drunkards Of the lowest type.
1t was while In that strait that the
Baron appealed to Mr.. A. de Brackeleer,
President OF the Belgian Relief Assoeia'
ton, ct No. 66 Warren street. The latter
was acquainted with his early history, and
had known him and his family in the old
country. His sympathy was aroused, and
be Immediately supplied from his own
pocket the necessary wants OF his country
man. He also endeavoredto persuade him
10 return home, where his relatives would
take care Of him; but to all entreaties the
man only replied that he would statve
frst. But The application for relief be-
came 90 frequent that Mr.. de Braekeleer
was at last compelled TO refuse any FUR
ther assistance. The wretched couple
were then living at No. So, Mulberry street,
In the very centre OF the Italian quarter.
De Laurie became known to his Italian
neiehbors as a man OF education and q
linsuist, and they kept him busy, when
moi drunk, writing letters for them. He
was always kind and courteous, even In
his most drunken moments, and was very
popular among these poor people. In
this way he managed to put in two Of hia
last years Of existence, until finally a
worse change came.
He formed the acquaintance OF danger
ous characters, and became q thtei and a
burglar. While committing a burglary be
was caught, and under the name OF Henry
Howard was sentenced on the llth Of
June last TO ak months in the peniten-
tiary. Three months after his conviction
he was taken sick, was consigned TO the
hospital, and died three days later.
Al simple paragraph in the Herald, an
nouncing the death Of convict burglar,
was the first in formation his wife had o.
his death. She was afterwards summoned
by the Coroner, who held an inquest, but
even to that man she never revealed the
dead mans identity. She next called upon
the Belgian Consul at No. $50 Broadway
A. d asked that the family in Belgium b
made acquainted with the particulars o
her husband's death, and arrangement
made 10 disinter the remains and senf
them back TO the old country. The Con
sul promised TO do all In his power, anc
referred her to Mr.. De BrackeleeE, who
has now the case In hands.
M. de Brackeleer said To the reporter
Chat when first informed Of the death o
in old friend he did not credit it, bu
Thought Il one Of the devices Of the woman
i 10 eTtort money. He consulted with Nh