Waterbury evening Democrat. [volume] (Waterbury, Conn.) 1887-1895, 1888-02-14
A FATAL RESEMBLANCE.
SERVING THREE YEARS IN PRISON
FOR ANOTHeR,S CRIME.
William Lafler's Likeness to His Twin
Brother is So Striking That His Sweet
heart is Deceived-Tho Real Offender
Captured at Last.

heart is Deceived-Tho Real Offender
Captured at Last.
OMAHA, Neb., Fob. 14-Morrison Wilcox,
deputy sheriff Of Cattaraugus county, n. Y,
passed through the city yesterday Ell route to
Clean, having in custody James Gregory
Laf1er, prominent stock raiser, whose ranch
is located near Watrous, n H. The crime
for which Lafier is now under arrest is rob
lery and assault with intent to kill. The
story of the terrible affair, as told to CORE
spondent by the officer, IL a strange one
Mr.. and Mrs Mason LATER, parents of the
prisoner, are respectable people living near
Olean, N. Y. Twin sons were born to them,
and when they grew to manhood their resem-
blance was so great that few people could tell
one from the other. Both of them were seq,t
to college, James choosing Cornell, and his
twin brother, William, Yale. Both, after
three years, left college and returned home.
William took the management of his fathers
farm, and James began the study of law in
the village of Olean. 1t was the habit of the
latter to spend Sunday at home, and on the
evening of that day the brothers invariably
spent few hours at the house Of neighbor
named John Clifford, a rich lunberman,
who had two lovely daughters.
One Sunday night in June, 1882 a gentle
man called at Mr.. Clifford's and paid him
nearly IS. 600 in cash. This was done in the
presence of both the Latter brothers. Shortly
after the twins departed for home. Between
the hours of 2 and 3 o'clock next morning
Mr.. Clifford was attacked by masked man
and beaten into insensibility The $4,000
hidden between the mattresses of the bed
was taken and the robber started to make his
escape. He was met in the hall by the
youngest Miss Clifford, William Laf1ers
rt md fho ri 1,rox-
cry snatched the mask from the robbers face
and exclaimed: my Godl Bill Latter, what
have you done!" The would-be murderer
struck her and then fled.
The next morning William Latter was ar
rested and held without bail, charged with
the burglary and attempted murder. Mr.
Clifford finally recovered, and William was
placed on trial. The main witness was his
old sweetheart, who swore positively to iden-
tifying him as the robber. She was sure it
was William and not James, as the robber
was dressed in the same clothes William had
worn the night preceding the crime and
which in material and style were radically
different from thc,e worn by his brother. In
his own behalf William testified that he was
innocent, and all lie knew was that he had
retired hour after leaving the Clifford
mansion on Saturday night. He had awakened
in the morning with a terrible nausea, AMI
felt queer for two or three days. The jury
brought in verdict Of guilty as charged, and
he prisoner was sentenced to ten wears hard
.abor at Sing Sing.
While nearly every one believed William
guilty, there was one firm friend who doubted
it and tried to find out the truth. His investi
cation lasted nearly year. His discoveries
in brief were as follows: James at Cornell
contracted many debts which were paid
shortly after the robbery. He had sent s., ,OOO
to Mrs Coates, in Ithica, as hush money for
an assault on her daughter. On the Sunday
night preceding the robbery James had pur-
chased two ounces of chloroform at an Oiean
drug store, with which he undoubtedly
drugged his brother. A hundred minor
things were found out that proved the guilt
of James Latter.
Before the investigation wss complete Jane.
left for trip to New York. About two
months later report reached Olean that he
had been drowned off Long Branch while
yachting and that his body could not be re
covered. A week afterwards a respectable
looking man, giving his name as Alfred
Thomas appeared at the Latter farm anc
confirmed the news. He brought with hin
certain papers that bore out his statement
and James was given up as dead One day
about three years later, Olean and the sur
iOu1llluS couIlCiy were eIoctTl1iou Dy CN(
action Of Governor Hill, who issued pardo;
for William Latter, stating that he wa
convinced of the convict's innocence
and that he was positive that th
crime was committed by his dead twi,
brother. The years passed on and the Grim
would doubtless have become only memor,
but for the appearance of a man in Olean fiy
weeks ago, who had secret interview witt
the district attorney. He informed that ofIicia
that he was the man who had brought tn
news of James death to the family six year
before, and that he was paid by James to d
it. He said that James was living, and was
ranchman located near Watrous, N. M I
warrant was issued ana the fugitive appre
hended last Thursday. He stoutly denies hi
guilt, and says that he will be able to prov
his innocence,