Los Angeles herald., 1892-03-05
AVAK A TAILOR.
The Identity of Hazel Lay
toms Murderer.
1t Was a Case Of FatuOus Love
on His Part.
Her Love for Him Decreased as His
Money Was Spent.
Avak's Full Name Was Avakian-He
Comes from Good Family-She
Came Here with Purcell, the
Pugilist-Their Love
Story.

The San Francisco Chronicle of Thurs
day has the following to say of the mys-
terious murder and suicide in the dis
orderly house of Ethel Wilson, at the
corner of New High and Marchessault
streets, in this city. In this terrible
tragedy Henry Avak fatally shot Hazel
Layton, an inmate OF the house, and
then turned his revolver to his own head
and sent bullet through his right tenn
pie, expiring almost Immediately. From
the meager reports and information OBJ
tanned at the time by the correspondent
it was supposed that the man and woman
were lovers.
A Chronicle reporter had interviews
yesterday with Marcus Holbeck, E. G.
Miller, Herman BRANDED, David Ayvazian
and the landlady at 1856 O'Farrell street,
where Avakian, as the name should be
spelled, roomed before he left for Los
Angeles on his mad mission. From
these persons, all intimate friends of
the dead man, the following facts were
learned:
Henry Avakian was a native OF Ar
menia, from which country he came to
tie United States about three years ago
with friend whose name cannot now
be ascertained. His family is one of
social Importance, his brother, A. Avak-
ian, holding high financial Office under
the government. His first stopping place
was Boston, whence he came to Fresno,
Cal. In that city he spent the remainder
of about 5000 which he had started with
from Armenia, and finding it necessary
to work for living, he entered the en-
ploy of tailor named Marx, in whose
shop he learned the trade of tailoring.
During the summer of 1890 Henry
Avakian came to this city. and here be-
gan that series of events which wrecked
the prospects of the young Armenian's
life and led to the horrible tragedy of
Tuesday. Avakian worked at his trade
here in the shops of Marcus Holbeck
| 500 q week. During this time his par
about $25 q month, and with this money
Avakian entered on a life of enjoyment.
Some time in November last he met in
q restaurant Hazel Layton, who at
that time lived in the lodging house at
the northwest corner of Bush and Du-
pont streets. She was beautiful girl
about 10 years of age, and Avakian was
infatuated with her startling beauty and
coquettish ways. He proposed marriage
and was accepted, but the marriage was
deferred. Fearing that his sweetheart
was not living life of strict virtue, he
prevailed upon her to remove from her
| lodging house, and she then engaged
rooms on O'Farrell street. Then fol-
lowed q life of illicit love with the object
OF his affections, whom he would not be-
lieve to be other than his devoted sweet
heart. He was an abiect slave to her
every caprice, and showered upon her
unworthy head the most expensive
presents, such as diamond rings, brace
let's and musical Instruments, upon
several of which Hazel was an &C.
complished performer.
Her affection for Avakian languished
as his money dwindled, but that of
Avakian grew stronger, and at last be.
came the sole burden of his talk with
| his intimate acquaintances. He pur-
chased three revolvers at different times
and laughingly informed his friend Mil.
Ter that he would never let any other
man have Hazel if his pistol did not
fail to do it's work.
About three weeks ago the young
woman, who was tickle and mercenary
like all her class, left for Los Angeles,
presumably in the company Of prize
| fighter named Purcell, who was seen
last with her before her departure.
Avakian became very respondent at her
desertion, and offered $25 to any one
who would tell him where she had fled.
On Monday morning last he left his
room, and the landlady of the house
found note upon his bureau addressed
to her and saying that he gone to Los
Angeles upon short visit. The occur
rences as related in yesterdays Chroni-
Gle followed.
At the time of his death Avakian was
a member in good standing of the San
Francisco Journeymen Tailors' Protec-
tive and Benevolent Union and Bay City
lodge, No. 6857, Ancient Order of For
esters. He was possessed of good ed
ucation and impressed all who met him
as q man of refinement.
The Layton woman came here from
Salt Lake City in the latter part OF Oc-
tober, last year, with man named
Young, who is now in the county Jail
serving term of imprisonment for steal
ing some jewelry from the woman. She
claimed to have been born in small
town in the vicinity of Sioux City, Ia,
and was about 10 years of age. Avakian
was % years old.