The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-06-15

Albert Pei, the Murderer of His Mother,
Wife and Paramours, on Trial.

Albert Pei, the Murderer of His Mother,
Wife and Paramours, on Trial.
PARIS, June 13.-The Montreuil watch maker,
Albert Pei, under indictment for one of the
wickedest poisoning cases in the annals of
Partisan crime, is now on trial. Ever since
yesterday morning, when the trial began in the
Seine Assizes, the Palais de Justice has been
thronged during court hours with eager crowds,
composed mostly of women.
A long table, covered with 'fes pieces con-
viction, resembled small laboratory of furnaces,
retorts blow-pipes. bottles large and small, and
boxes with white labels. In the center of the
table stood large china basins containing the
bowels, intestines, stomach and liver of Pels
first wife. Another series of china basins con-
tanned the white ashes found in Pel's stove, sup
posed to be all that is left of Elize Bocnnler,
Pers mistress A third series of basins
criminal, burned by medical experts in stove
similar to that of Pels, to enable the jury to de-
eide whether the ashes found in Pels stove are
the ashes of human being or not Pei was
brought by two gen darmes into court. He is
deadly pale. He has very thin, cold, gray eyes
and enormous gold spectacles. He has pointed
black mustache, and several long black hairs on
his chin give him Mephistophelean appearance.
The first thing he did after his entrance into the
prisoners box was to examine intently and with
diabolical smile the basins containing the re-
mains Of his victims. Pei is only thirty y-six
years old. He was born i'll Saxony. The fol
lowing is the story Of his crimes:
In 1878 he came to Paris with his mother and
began business as matchmaker, putting up his
sign at No. Al Rue Rochcchouart. He devoted
all his leisure'moments to music and chemistry,
taking a special delight in the study of poisonous
drugs. He was very eccentric in his habits,
often passing himself off for professor of the
Sorbonne, and wearing decorations to which he
had no right.
On August 16, 1872, Pel's mother who had
been maltreated by him for many years was
seized with violent pains in the intestines, with
intense thirst and vomiting, and, after few
days OF eXcruciating agony, she died. Pei al
lowed no doctor to come near her, and he ex-
planned that the old woman had met with a sud
den death by playing with an electrical
suspected crime, but no police investigation
followed. A few days afterward Pei sold all his
mothers effects, and went on debauch with the
proceeds
In May, 1879, Pei employed servant named
Marie Mahoin. Five days after Marie entered
Pels service she was seized with terrible pains
in the intestines, with intense thirst and
vomiting. The young girl got worse each day
During her illness Pei introduced into his apart
ment second woman, named Eugene Meyer,
who forthwith became his mistress. Eugenie
was also seized with violent pains in the intes-
tines, with intense thirst and vomiting The
two women nursed each other, but Marie Ma
holm, fearing something wrong, ran away, and
took refuge in Beaujon Hospital, where she was
speedily cured. Eugene Meyer, however, since
the day she entered Peps apartment, was never
seen again. Pei sold her clothes and jewelry,
and went on a adebauch with the proceeds When
Pei changed his apartments a few weeks late-
blood stains wore found on the walls but again
no inquiry was instituted.
In 1880 Pei removed to the avenue Kleber and
married pretty young girl named Eugene
Buffreau, who brought him dowry of 10000.
The wedding took place on August 26, and on
October "a, Nine. Pei died. after two weeks of
vomiting, thirst and intense pains in the intes-
tines. Pei allowed no doctor to come near his
young wife until she was in the last agony of
death. Pei declared that her death was caused
by eating poisonous mushrooms. story that
was believed readily by the doctor, and no in
vestigation was made. The stomach, liver and
intestines of this young wife are now in the
china basin in the courtroom and are declared
by medica. experts to be impregnated with ar
senc.
Nine months later Pei married another young
lady, Mile. Murat Bellisle, who brought him a
dowry of 6,000f Ten days after the wedding
Pels second wife and her mother were seized
and intense thirst, but the motherin-la having
the presentment of evil left Pels house and
persuaded her daughter to do the same thereby
saving both their lives. Pei had, however got
hold of the 6,OO0f and proceeded to spend them
in reckless debauchery.
In 1884 he made the acquaintance oe woman
named Ellze Bochmer and the two lived to-
gether in a small house at Montreuil. Elze sold
credit foncier bonds and gave all the money to
Pei. On July 2, however, she said, in reply TO
Pels urgent entreaties, mot another SOU" On
the evening of that very day Elze was seized
with sudden pains in the intestines, vomiting
and intense thirst. Pei forbade her to call any
doctor or admit any neighbors. During
Pels absence, however two women -
Nine. Chestnut and Nine. Deven-entered
the forbidden apartment and found Elize
writhing IN fearful torture, tearing out her hair
This July II Since then she disappeared
just as Eugene Mayer did in 1879-and was
never seen again.
Next day Nine. Deven climbed up to the win
dow of the room in which Elize used to sleep
No fire was burning this time, but the bedding
was scattered about in disorder, and heaps of
white damp ashes were seen in the ash-pan
There was a strong smell of chlorate of lime
The police were at once warned. Pei was ar
rested.
On chair were found few spots of blood
and saw, the teeth of which were clotted with
blood and hair. On being asked what had be-
bone Of EliZe Bochmer Pei, with the greatest
calmness, replied: .She got better and left me
very abruptly. She did not say where she was
going"
Pei was sentenced to the guillotine