New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1883-04-03
TWO PARTNERS DISAPPEAR.
SUSPICIOUS OF FOUL PLAY IN ONE CASE.
TIE OTHER PARTNER BELIEVED TO HAVE COMMITTED
sUICIDI:-A BUSINESS RIVAL SUSPECTED.

sUICIDE-A BUSINESS RIVAL SUSPECTED.
| Occupants OF the buildings at Nos. 137 and 80
| Bovery are much excited account OF the GIsaT-
pearance of two Hebrew butt0n-manutactuIcrs "a.
Isaac and Gaudchaud LehHann. Tho men were
cousins and b.th were born III small town 10
Alsace, France. They were about the same age
-forty-fve years-and they were reared together
Both were bachelors. When they were Young men
they travelled together through Europe, studied at
the same schools, aud acquired good eCucatlons
Acouaiutamces IN this city say that their relatives
in France were well-to-do, and gave the a
fair start in business.
About twenty years ago the Lchmanus came TO
this city ami began to manufacture glass buttons
Since then the firm OF Lehman & Co. has been
well known in the button trade. The cousins lived
together IN furnished rooms at No 1870 Bovciy, and
also had saesr0om there. Their factory was at
No. ISL B!eecler-st. Recently they began TO cut
down tie prices of the peculiar KIND OF buttons
which they made They bad few competitors IN the
manufacture OF gl,s, buttons. aad they obtained
nearly q monopoly IN that business. j. Is iaio That
they lad become wealthy, Their expenses were
lr1iliug in comparison with their iuc alno.
Soon Alter January /. the cO.s.us wcI: disturbed
by tie threats of rival button-nakcr. whose bust
ness had been injured by ,hc lowering ~ prices
Itaac LehnlaLn told an acquaintance IN Bleecs, +
XIII MIA if the firm OF Lehman d c.. did Mt sop
cutting down the prices OF glass buttcH, a., lid not
seem 10 be much disiu bed BY tie threat but hc
said TO his friend: " II anything s1ouli happen 10
me Won Will know who ~ 30
blame" He had been in Door health for some time.
but he continued 10 20 about the city m pursuit II
his business On Fcuruary II b" left the factory
In BctckeT-s. about noon, and Ysl,cn inc store OF
a customer in broadway, near GriLd-s;. hItcr
leaving ;hefe, h was noi seen again BY any OF ms
acquaintance. His continued alb cnce alarmed Lis
cousin greatly. Ia The APht OF the threats when
Isaac had repeated much apprehension was lelI iJt
If. j. Iiimanu a tailor, Mt No. 137 BowcIy, pull
lisiied a card otcrnR reward Tor information
about the missing man ana stating maj he plooa-
on without The discovery OF any trace
If lsaae. Gaudchaud Lehman becams nervous ana
melancholy, and declared that lie could not endure
life without his partner. iic several Times made
statements which indicated that he contemplated
suicide. Trouble OF another KIND added To his
Wretcneduess lie money Of lie him had boon
placed savings banks, and without 'sHdc sisna-
iuro, Gdudcnaud could not draw out money 10 meet
ths needs OF the business. NOtk IN The BlcechCr-
St factory was discontinued. On March ~, Gand-
Cbaud went 10 GhtIaaeip1!a lntenuIn2 % collect
soIue money due tie brn lie said that bo would
return On the IviOwing DAY.
Before gong away Gaudchaui gave his gold
watch aud chain 10 one OF two women WHO had
been en- plOyod IN the B0Wery sacsr0Om, aud told
her to keep them until his retdrn. lie aiso out
paddock the door OF hIS rooms. Alier lie had
Zone tho woman received letter from him. bid
ding her gUodby and telling her TO keep the watcn
and chain. His ROOMS at 13J liowery have since
NAMED locked Ias and lao has not boen IN the
city.
Mr. Tillmann went TO Police, Headquarters yeser-
day and tod Inspector ByTnes o. the Strange dis
pppeaIanCe OF both members of the lrm. IL was
believed By friends OF the missing men that some
explanation OF their absence conld be found IN the
rOulns which Oaudchand Lehman hau locked ~
before mis- departure from the city lt Was feared
that he had committed suicide. Detective Lyons
Vent 10 the roumr, Dnt he decided not to break into
thcuI. The woman to whom GoudcLaud had given
the watch and chain went 10 Police headquarters
with the detective and showed the letter received
by her to the Inspector. IL was decided that unti
some relative appeared To claim the property Ot tho
cousins or until proof furnished thar one Of
them dead. the police could not break INTO the
ROOMS. Inspector Byrnes sent out DESCRIPTIONS .of
the missing men.