The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1882-03-27

MOTHER, AND AN OLD MAS--ExrRAoRDISARf
EXPORTS MADE TO CHEAT THE GALLONS IN
PENNSYLVANIA.
The following comes from Harrisburg,
Pr, and was written the early part OF TINS
month
PENNSYLVANIA has the reputation OF deal
Ing sternly with capital crime, but there
has been singular remissness In the proper
disposition Of Allen &. Laros, OF Noithainp-
ton county. who, although he fatally pol
soned three persons Gather, mother, and
an old man), has been ut large over year
and no efforts are being made to bring him
to Justice. Lately information has been
received that the murderer has married n
woman in one of the southern States, but
this intelligence has led TO no search for the
fugitive.
Laros deposited over four ounces OF
arsenic in a coffee-pot from which on the
evening OF May 81, 1876, his father, mo-
thcr, several brothers and sisters. and
Moses Schug. aged siXty-two years, drank.
All who partook OF the poisoned coffee
were seized with violent pains while eat
ing their supper, and within the next TWO
DAYS the parents OF Laros and Schug died.
The others recovered, because they had
taken n smaller quantity Of the arsenic.
The alleged murderer feigned illness,
claiming that he too had drunk some OF the
coffee, which was untrue.
CONFESSION OF NrRDER AND ROBBERY.
Soon after the death OF the three old peo-
pie it was discovered that several hundred
dollars belonging to the elder Laros
and Schug had mysteriously disappeared.
Young Laros began TO be suspected OF the
murder and robbery, and four days from
the time he had placed the arsenic IN the
coffee he was arrested and imprisoned.
mainly OH the strength OF his own adnlis-
sion OF guilt. He had at first protested his
innocence. but when closely pressed for
the truth he confessed that he had commit
ted the murder. and gave several persons
information by which they found the
money which he had stolen and buried in
1.-THE ward a short distance from the resi-
dence Of his parents. The murder had its
inspiration in greed for money, which
the young man proposed to apply in &C
Guiring n more thorough knowledge OF the
law. which he was studying when not en-
gagged in teaching school in the vicinity.
EXTRAORDINARY TESTS APPLIED.
Laros's incarceration was followed by
apparent epilcptic attacks, which increased
i'm severity and duration. An impression
prevailing in the community That the at
tacks were feigneG, several trying tests
were made 10 arrive at his true condition.
Hot iron and melted sealing-waX were ar-
piled TO tender parts OF his body. seemingly
without producing the least sensation, and
n thumh-nai was several times drawn
acrossthe pupil OF his eye without causing
any motion OF the eye-ball. The physician
who applied these tests was positive that
Laros was not ;cgning epilepsy, and the
murdercr's counsel determined. as result
of the examination. 70 put in plea Of
epileptic insanity at the trial.
The Commonwealth showed by the tcsii-
mony of two physicians who had IN eX-
Uerience Of over thirty years in the treat
m ut OF epileptic cases that the SYM toms
exhibited by LaroS were unn1tural, and one
OF them gave II rs his opinion that man
I'm the shadow OF the galows could 90
through the ordeal to which the murderer
was subjected without finchine provided
il had a tendency TO save him nom the I'M
pcuding fate. The trial lasted fifteen days,
b the jury rendered verdict Of guilty Of
murder in the first degree in three hours.
SENTENCED TO BE HANGED.
Shortly after the death sentence had been
pronounced Governor lIartranit designated
the 18th day OF January, 1871. a. the day
FOR the hanging Of the murderer. An APP
peal to the Supreme Court prevented the
death.warrant from being executed. but
that tribunal having sustained the iudg-
mrnt OF the Northampton County Court the
Governor issued another warrant. fixing
the hanging on September 10, 1877. The
execution, however, did not take place.
owing TO the fact that Il commission al>-
INT al Lxr a Ia
mental condition decided that he was not q
fit subject for the gaIlowS. by reason OF
mental imbecility. This decision was fol-
lowing by the removal Of Laro' 10 the
state Lunatic Hospital, near this city.
His conduct while az the institution was 80
inconsistent with diseased mind that Or.
Carwcn. then superintendent, who had
testified for the Commonwealth at the trial
Of the murderer. became more firmly con-
yinced than ever that LarOs was thorough
~ sane.
ESCAPING PROM THE ASYLUM.
The murderer soon tired Of the hospital
restraints and escaped. only to be recapturcd
before he had gone far. About three years
400 he WIS more successful. having reached
the state Of Arkansas before his where
about, was known. The state Lunati'
Hosptal authorities had given up all ide'
, OF securing the fugitive, when intelligence
: came L. them that Laros. after detailing Tho
circumstances of his crime in Arkansas
had indicated desire TO be returned tC
. PENNSYLVANIA for the purpose Of enablins
him 10 atone for the murder he had con
T. miited by hanging. He was accordln 81
/ brought back 10 this State, but, instead O.
/. being executed, was again placed in th'
: Lunatc Hospital. over wear ago IA
r made his third escape. and DR.. Carwcn
4 not having changed his opinion rs to IN
+ sanity OF Laros, made 10 particular effort L
qpprehend him.
II the murderer, who is reported to hay,
married recently. should he again caught /
= * probable he would be hanged. All tina
u i NJ cessary in the event OF l'- recapture
i !; declaration by proxy appoint d com
:. mi sion that he is sane and the is uing o
another death-warrant 10y the Cove nor.
Gnnuf In, Nfrciniu.