The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1891-06-10
MURDER AS A TRADE.
But He First Married and Then
Insured His Victims Lives.

A case will shortly be tried in the Crimi-
nal Court of Paris, France, which will Gre
ate the most profound interest, as it en-
braces a series of the most unique crimes
Anton Nautln, the central figure in the cas- e,
is young Frenchman about % years of age,
and is one Of the most accomplished villain
living. He has been employed as a traveller
by large drug house for the last six years
| and his business has necessitated his
visiting all the principal cities in
Europe several times a year. His income
from this source has been qnite consider
able, but by no means satisfied Nautin'S
desire for wealth. To add to it he has
committed bigamy over dozen times in
each case marrying woman possessed
of considerable property. He has
furthermore added to his store Of cash
by insuriDg their lives heavily and
in four Instances Is known to have
poisoned the women thereby securing
not only their money, but the proceeds
of the Insurance policies secured upon their
lives. Nautn'S adventures have covered
wide field and his aVOcatiOn has afforded
him an opportunity for carrying out his
! operations IN SpeCOuS and plausible man.
ner. 1t is probable that had he confined
| himself to conducting them beyond the
| limits of this city he might have continued
his programme indefinitely, as no suspicion
seems to have been aroused in any other
quarters. NautiG, however, who is a hand
some and stylish fellow, was anxious to
shine socially, and as he had acquired
partnership with his employees and had plenty
of money, he found 30 difficulty in gain
ing the fOOthold he desired in Paris. A
year ago he commenced paying atten tions
to the daughter of a naval officer, who,
through family connections, occupied an en-
VlaOle position IN society. The young lady
was an exception 10 NautinS other Seec-
m "a CaI M for
tune to speak Of Nautin was eventually
accepted by the young lady and the we'd
ding took place about SIX mon tbs ago. There
was little publicity given to the event owing
to the wishes Of the BRIDES family and 1t was
indefinitely given out that Nautin was con-
nee ed with the diplomatic service as an eX-
PLANTATION Of his absence. As the bride had
little or no dOwry Nautn suggested that her
life should be heavily insured and the
amount settled upon her children. There
was no reason for Directing 10 such an ar
rangement and consequently Nine. Nautln
was insured for
SOME HUNDRED THOUSAND FRANCS OR
MORE.
a month or two ago she was taken sick
and eventually died, the sum tor which her
life was insured TeVerting, of course, to her
husband as no children had be n born. The
circumstances were considered suspicious by
the company with which the insurance was
inquiries into the antecedents of Nautin,
deferring payment Of the claim meanwhile.
To give color TO their suspicious Nautin
meantime disappeared and his whereabouts
was for a while undiscovered. Ii was found
that he had married lady in PeSth under
the name Of Nixon, and that she had died
suddenly, her death resulting to Nautin in
the securing of a fortune of 200 francs.
including insurance. This discovery led TO
an extended Inspection of all the ground
that Nautln was known to have covered in
his travels, and it soon became evident that
there were many other evidences of Yillainy
scattered around.
In Moscow he bad formed a matrimonial
utilization under the name of BeauChamp,
but bis wife there was living and had not
yet been operated upon by any person, al
though she was apparently marked as q vic
tim, her life having been insured for a large
sum OF money. he had described himself to
this lady, who was the daughter of wealthy
parents, as being engaged in commercial
speculation in the interests OF a wealthy
syndicate, which neceSsItated his being con-
stantly on the wing between the
different centers of commerce L pom
the receipt Of this intel ig nee the
PaalsIan police at once otuered an
autopsy Of the body of Nine. Nautin. and it
was discovered that her life had been taken
by the administration of an iBSidiOus poison.
Further inquiries nave developed such Ter
rible results that Nautin must pose as the
champion villain OF the century. His 0per-
atoms seem to have been conducted in such
a busIneSs-llke manner rs 10 speak highly
for his capacity Of organization.
ONE VICTIM WAS No SOONER DISPOSED OF
Than Nautin, under the disguise of another
name, and generally a different ay0CatiOn,
selected IN another city a successor, de-
stined, Of course, to the same terrible fate
as had oveTtaken her redecesSOr.-Sunday
Mercury