Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1884-08-26
The Murder of Sam Lavner.
MOST REMARKABLE LIFE ENDING IN HIS BEING
HUNTED TO DEATH.


HUNTED TO DEATH
The Hebrew named Sam Lavner, whose dead body
was recently found at Little Falls n. j., had been
FOR nine years past the wonder OF the medical pro-
fession. He was native OF Rounania, where he
owned large vineyard, and while travelling in
that country with three men-to whose sister he
was engaged to be married-the party were at
tackled by brigands, who left Lavner for dead with
his throat cut. end hanging to tree. He remained
there two days, when he was discovered, and there
being still life in his body, he was removed to
Vienna. His windppe was severed, and while
hanglng'he breatned through the opening in his
throat The surgeons introduced rubber tubes in
MS throat, and the I'M ured man slowly improved.
In little time he was able to move around. but
although the physician in attendance on him de-
sired to heal UP the wound in the neck, he could
not do 50. The idea was conceived OF making tubes
OF various sizes. Two dozen tupes were made, and
the smallest placed in Lavner's throat AS soon as
the throat healed somewhat the tube was removed
and larger one placed in its stead. Thus it was
that Lavner managed TO exc out an existence.
After little while he married the young lady TO
whom he was betrothed. For seven years he re-
ma1ned under the care OF noted Austrian physi-
clan, whose name cannot now be recalled. Nine
teen months ago he came to this country, after
having visited England, where he exhibited himself
10 the wondering medical men. In this country he
also exhibited himself in the prominent colleges,
he deposited In the Erie bank, which was COM
PEELED to close It's doors by the questionable pracs
tees Of Adam Brabender, who, being discovered in
tnred and returned to face the clamorng credl ors
TIE largest and last OF the tubes was in Lavners
he would haze been able to breathe without Its aid
He subsequently recovered $4,000 OF his savings,
and While travelling on railroad in New York he
was assaulted and cruelty beaten by two men,
whose object was robbery. He made his way to
Philadelphia hospital, and was recovering when
be his friends to go TO New York, where he was
placed In what he supposed was a hospital
woman Taa was IN % constant attendance upon him
made the discovery that he was not in a hospital,
but that he had fallen into the hands OF gang OF
thieves. who had robbed him Of the s27, ,OOO His
prosecutors having accomplished their object, Law
ner was allowed TO go. Finding himself almost
destitute, he visited the Roumanlan consuls ONCE
IN New York TO make arrangements for securing
$1l3 600 which was coming to him from the sale Of
his vineyard. His property had been taken pos
session OF by his father-in-law, bu after long lit
CATION LaVner had obtained judgment for the
amount named: After his arrival In this country
he obt aimed divorce from his wife, and was en-
gagged to be married to Miss Lapkow1tch, of Chi
cago, and these details OF his misfortun were re-
lated by him in his letters to her His ex-father-
in-aW Is IN tnis country, and Lavner asserted that
pay the amount OF the Judgment In bogus notes.
AT TIE INQUEST IN TIE CASE,
begun day or two ago at Little Falls, N j., John
Young and Elias vanness testified to finding the
body. Lavner's hands were clenched and held In
front Of his face, as II defending himself. The
marks where he had been dragged across the road
were plainly evident There were several foot
prints around the spot. The witnesses said that
Lavners clothing showed that he had been dragged
along the road. Mrs John Spade testified that
Lavner came into her fathers tavern at II O'Clock
on Wednesday morning and drank two glasses of
beer. He was alone at the time ana seemed to
have plenty OF money. Mary MacMahOn testified
to finding the revolver in the tree. Dr. N. R. Ged-
ney testified that 1t was evident from the powder
marks on Lavner's shirt that the pistol must have
been within six inches OF his body. The deceased
man had tuft OF grass in his hands which he had
clutched in his struggle. The witness saw Lavner
about O'Clock Wednesday night near the bridge,
together with man in his shirt sleeves. Lavner
Was not talking to the other man, who kept his
face turned away: The inquest was then ad-
tourneu TILL Thursday next Coroner NewcOmbe
has received telegram from Fanny Lapkow1tch, of
Chicago, who was engaged to be married to lay
ner, to hold the body until she arrives
LAvNER BOUGHT THE PISTOL.
The New York Sun to-day says: 1t has been dis
covered that Sam Iavner, whose body was found at
Little Falls, n. j., and who is supposed to have
been murdered, bought the pistol that was found
In the tree near the body at George Myers hard
ware. store, in Paterson, three weeks ago It is)
now believed by many that Lavner committed SUI
eide AT all events he was killed by the pistol that
he bought at Mr.. Myers store three weeks ago