The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1877-08-05
"LA vITROLEUsE."

A DESPERATE scHEME or A WOMAN TO MURDER
HER LOVER TO SECURE HIS MoNEY--BLNDED
BY vITRoL.
From tho Daily Telesraph's Paris correspondent
To-day July 2s) tho horror loving public OF Paris
put themselves TO endless pains In order to get scat
at the Assize the trial Of he widow Gras,
who 1t will be remembered, attempted, with the AS
sisance OF workman named Gaudry, to assassinstc,
or at least to mutate her lover, N. de Ia Roche, uy
throwing vtriol over his face. The history OF the
AFFAIR more like highly sensational novel than
incident which TOOK place almost In the midst Of
us. Tho widow Gras It appears, was born in humble
circumstances in one OF the faubourgs Of Paris
ono timc sold in The streets A charitable
lady, however. took an interest In her. gave
her dowry and married her respectfully. Three
months after thcir union she lost her husband who
died IN the hospital, and she became the mistress Of
military officer This WAS 10 1906 Since that time
sne lived life oil adventure, which only dis
tinguished from that oi almost thousands OF osner
wOm6n IN PARIS by the unsuitable and sordid greed
which soon began declare itself In her character
HER PREY.
Out OF her numerous lovers she managed to extract
large sums Of money; but MS her wants were large
and ner charms beginning 70 tall o. she seems 70 have
determined 10 mako the best Of her last chance IL
1873 that she arst met her future victim, NJ dc
Ia Roche young provincial Of large means and win
few relatives who coming 10 1--we alone In PARIS without
frien0s companions all the more easily fell under
the empire oil this woman. Finally however, IN 1876,
M. kOCnc
marry and settle Ia hfc on learning which TACT the
widow Gras about connecting her horrible scheme
Her hope TO disngure ner lover In order TO get
possession OF HIM, him Ia his Illness, to keep
his relatives away, and finally TO make herself his
heir.
Not the least tragic part OF the AFFAIR Is her relation
VITA Gaudry who has boon soldier, aud ie by PROBES
builder aud tr0uworker Gaudry IL seems used
to play with her when they were both children, and
having met him by accident IN Paris Just before
sne began 10 mediate her scheme, she renewed their
had HIM to work IN her housc IN the
Rue de Boulosne The rest OF the story Is SIMPLE
enough. The widow Grae took advantage or the Pas-
with whchshe had inspired Gaudry 10 serve her
own ends, ana promised 10 marry him n he would
avcnge her enemy. Without ever having seen
b. dc Roche Gaudry bndly lent himself 10 the deep
laid plot OF the widow Gras, and III January Of this
present year he executed with the effect OF entirely
destroying Of the eyes OF the victim and psrma-
neatly inJurIng the other.
GENERAL INTEREST.
Today's proceedings were occupied with the reading
OF the Of and the interrogatory OF the
Mdow Gras her accomplish Gaudry and the Commas
Police NJ Mace. The accused tried 10 throw
all the blame GAudry. but the evidence against her
crushing Tho curiosity Of tho Court was, perhaps,
rather disappointed with the Appearance OF the hero
Inc of this fearful tragedy She is woman OF mature
years Her hair, which she used 10 dye has become
dirty gray during her imprson ment, and her features
retain lew remnants oil bygonc beauty IL 10 needless
add that The Court crowded. and the excitement
during the OF the prisoner, who was some
tunes very violent In her replies, rose TO an Intense