The morning times., 1895-12-10
STORY OF A LOTTERY PRIZE
Winning of 81 900 Has Been in Litf-
cation Ever Since.
Ean,a. civ ,IpurUal


On December 9, al the court house door
fn Lexington. Mo-, United States Marshal
Joe Shelby VIII sell, under execution issued
from the United States circuit court here,
532 acres of fine farm land located near
Odessa, i'll Lafay yette county. The sale
will close hard fought and historic case.
1t is the old lottery claim OF Louis COIN
against Alvin KenSler, partners III the
purchase of lottery ticket that proved
winner and drew the capital prize, 81 600,
fu the famous old Louisiana State Lottery
in its palmy days. The ca sh hats been pro-
ductlve of everything but comfort to all
interested parties since il was paid ont 10y
the lottery company, dozen years ago. -
During the fall of 1888 Louis Cohn and
Alvin Kenser were the best of friends. Both
lived here in Kansas City and for long
time had been partners in the purchase of
lottery tickets, aud had jointly invested 50
each month in search of n fortune. One
day during that fan kensler was given
$3.50 by Cobn TO make the accustomed
purchase. Later iu the day Cohn asked
for the money, saying he was called out of
the city aud would need 1t. He asked
Keusler to advance the amount and he would
be the partner, and this agreement, SO he
says. was fully understood.
His visit was prolonged until after the
drawing, and then Kensler learned TO his
asGonishmept that he held the ticket that
called for the capital prize, aud was en-
titled TO $4,000. Just about that time
Cohu came back and rendered him The So 90
for his half in the ticket, but kensler
answered him nay. Then there was a row.
In the course of time kensler deposited
his ticket with the express company, and it
was paid aud the ca sh was turned over TO
him. Cchn at once began suit for his half,
OF the sum, and employed Major William
Warner as his attorney, while Kensler en-
Yllr tadS NaSt N hnfnnd &c
case and his cash. The case was filed
In the federal court In Kansas City, De-
ccnber 10, 1884, and ssked for onehalf
ofthe amount. The case was In the court
for three years, and on November 1, 1887.
the verdict was rendered for the plaintiff
for the sum asked for, with legal interest TO
date. .-.-..
The legal hattie attra cted a great deal OF
attention. Major Warner fought for his
client with remarkable zeal. and Senator
Vest, who wa spaid So, 600 Kensler.
made stubborn defense. 1t was a TIT
between trained and experienced legal
gladiaiors, and is remembered by other at
torneys AMI the officials.
But Kensler did not stop fighting at the
close of the litigation. He invested a
large portion OF the cash IN a farm OF 532
Rcres down near Odessa ana married, so
that his wife would be q ble tu have a claim
IN the property. 4 baby was bnrn, and
nnothcr legal complication was preoipi;ated.
The farm was decided TO others, and every
device known was resnrted TO IN order 10
delay or defeat settlement. Finally Mrs.
Kensler died, and some years later the baby
died, and kenser is said TO have completely
abandoned the case and gone TO the Pacific
coast, where he has accumulated some
property and abandoned lottery enter
prises.
The attorneys for Cohn watched the legal
complications, and at the proper time the
Judgment was assigned TO Isaac W. Avitt,
and in his name vas revived and is now in
force. The matter was at once put into
motion, and an execution was issued and
the property seized and sale advertised.
The advertisement has been satisfied. and
on December the sale Of he lands win
take place at Lexington.