Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1888-12-29
PRADO'S VARIED CAREER.
Something About the Criminal Who Was
GuiliOtined in Paris Yesterday.

Prado, as the murderer who was guillotined
in Paris yesterday called himself, had most
remarkable career of crime, extending all over
the world. All efforts to identify the adven-
turer failed, but it is now believed he was a
Spaniard or Mexican. He made a great ado
about 'the secret of his BIRTH" and is said to
have claimed to have been a natural son of
Napoleon III and induced many to believe him.
At other times he said he was brother-in-law
Of President Diaz, of Mexico, but this story
was easily disproved. To President Carnot, in
jaunty, defiant letter written few days ago.
he is supposed to have revealed the secret of
his birth.
Prados Marie Aquetant was young and
beautiful demi-mondaine, and was known as
la Dame aux Diamants," from the splendor
Of noted necklace she wore in public. 1t was
on the evening of January IA, 1885, that a small
unimportant looking man addressed Marie in
the corridor Of the Eden theater during lull
in the performance, and together they pro-
ceeded hastily to Marie's apartments in a fash
ionable quarter OF the town maintained for her
by prominent man in club circles, M Bles
At 2 o'clock in the morning Bles reached the
apartments and found Marie lying near the
in which she had kept her treasures had been
slit as dexterously as had been the murdered
woman's throat. No trace could at first be
found Of Marie's companion.
Then began detective hunt through Paris
and all the rest of France, but for long time
no clew was found. Long afterward a man was
surprised while attempting to make off with q
| casket Of jewels from q private house. He was
pursued by policeman. Seeing himself over
taken, the man turned and sent q pistol ball
through the policeman's jaw. The policeman
and when arraigned for trial he gave the name
of Prado. About the same time Eugene For
esther. demi-mondaine of Paris, and Mauri-
cette Courouneau, young unmarried woman
OF bordeaux, were arrested on the charge of
receiving stolen goods. The thief was Prado;
Eugene was one Of the women from whose in
fanny he derived living, and Mauricette was
the woman whom he had promised to make his
wife. Eugene finally consented to tell what
she had learned from Prado Of his origin and
life.
Prado was born in Mexico, he said, and when
youth discovered some fearful secret about
his birth. His life had been crowded with ad-
venture of every kind. He had travelled in
Hayti, China, the United States, and the Holy
Land; was nursed when sick in Jerusalem by
an English lady Of birth, who gave up her
vows as a sister Of charity to follow Prado to
Italy, where they were married. When he had
killed Marie he confided his secret to Eugene
Forester, with whom he was then living. She
promised to keep his secret and they ded TO
covered had he not been faithless TO Eugene.
When she learned he was living with Mauri-
| cette Courouneau she wanted revenge.
Eugene told Mauricette Of Prado's crime.
Mauricette, girl Of twenty, who had become
| o mother, told her confessor. The priest in
sisted that Eugenie should make her statement
public. At last she consented. Prado was ar.
rested and the mystery Of Marie Aquetant'a
murder was solved. The trial was the talk Of
all Paris: A new victim Of the sdventurer then
| appeared. II was his legal wife, Dolores Garces
Of Marcilla, with whom he had at one time
lived In luxury in Madrid. She still retained
her Affection for Prado. The jewels Of Marie
were al traced, together With others he stole
IN Spain, and distributed among his female
| friends.
| When ON trial he vas insolent to both judge
and Witnesses and absolutely laughed ct the
avalanche Of proof that fell upon him Hi
epanish wife was divorced, and the other NO.
men connected with the Sensational case have
become Iotorious and had many Offers Of mar.
riass.