The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1888-04-18
ANN O'DHIA DISS DHBAR
Accused of Numbering the Artist,
Samuel Loewenberg.
THE SPIRIT PAINTING FRAUD
Laid Bare by Lawyer HummclI.
One Crime Developed by Another.
The wife of Former West
Virsinlan in Great Trouble.

New YoRK, April 17.-Mme. Diss De,
bars alleged spirit paintings have ut last
been traced. They were not produced
by the spirits, as she succeeded in con-
vincing Lawyer Luther R. Marsh they
were, but were owned and perhaps
painted by Samuel F. Leewenberg, an
artist, who died in December, 1886, un.
der very suspicious circumstances.
Nine. Diss Debar is likely to be charged
with having caused the death Of this
artist. Lawyer Abe Hummel, who was
engaged to look up Nine, Diss Debar's
past career is the authority for that
statement, He stated that the charge OF
murder would be brought by the proper
authorities after the charges now pend
ing against the medium had been dis
posed OF. When that time comes he
will hand over to the District Attorney
whatever evidence he has already oh
taiped on the charge OF homicide. In
the me4Hwhllc detectives. will be put to
work to secure additional and corrobo-
rative testimony.
Samuel I,eewenberg, Hebrew artist,
died under circumstances that indicated
that murder had been committed De-
cember 2, 1886, in the basement Of the
building 10 University place. His apart
ments were in condition OF great pu-
cleanliness, and when the body was
found i was wrapped in old newspapers.
He had heen ailing in his miserable
quarters for q week or more when the
police wade the discovery, and ho ex-
pired IN hour after having been taken
to the New York Hospital.
An autopsy was performed, but the re-
suit OF it could not be accurately stated,
1t is inferred, however, from What Law
yer HAmmel hRs said, that the old artist
Was poisoned, and that but little atten-.
ton was given to the case at the time, but
it is generally known that he was prac-
ticaliy miser. He had but little to do
with the world and lived the life Of ares
cluse.
The artist was buried In Cypress Hills
Cemetery. Only two persons stood by
the grave, Nine. Dissbebayc, us she then
called herself, and lsadOr Cohniield, an
old-time schoolmate OF Loewenberg.
Nine. Diss Debar had become ac-
quainted with the old artist in some un-
known manner several years previous to
his death, and kept up the acquaintance
ship by paying constant visits to him in
his squalid apartments. 1t is also stated
that for three years before the artists
death the medium was about the only
person who associated with him Mt all.
He lived surrounded by large number
OF paintings, which he always claimed
were valuable. III those days Nine.
Dissbelnye did not drive up to his resi-
dcnce in a carriage, but walked from her
home 10 L9ewenherg's and would spend
hours at a time in his miserable studio.
It was the opinion OF all who knew
the old miser that he LETT a large amount
Of money behind him at his death, and
Mr.. Huilmel iptimateea that The treasure
left by old Lowenberg might even
now be in the Golfers OF the medium.
In 1856 the artist had several relatives,
but they never visited him on account
OF his eccentric habits. They were Sig
mond Cohn, of 50 Rivington street,
Samuel Cohn, of Grand and Forsyth
streets, SOLOMON, Levi and Sigmond
Cohn, OF l2l East Eighteenth street, and
David YanYalkenburgh.
When the latter gentleman learned OF
the death OF his relative he secured let
tiers Of administration on the estate, al.
though he informed the other relatives
that there was but little property left.
The other relatives ut that time were by
-. ,..a,,o., .,I,nn,I oI this t1U