Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1893-10-16
SHE Made TROUBLE.
A Woman Who Deposited Many Men
in the Soup.
VICTIMS WITH LOTS OF Cash
Were Her Selections-Driven Out
Of London She VIII Appear in
Free America and Work the
Same Game-On the Hunt for
Gullible Subjects-She is "a
Bird"

LnNDoN, October 1.-THE secret po-
lice have lust concluded successfully
one Of the most difficult and delicate
pieces Of work ever placed In their hands
by driving out OF this country the most
notorious blAckmaller OF the present
generation without the necessity for =
police trail and It's attendant scandals
and revelations. The need for secrecy
was great, for the extortioner's victims
included several young princes, includ-
ing one described as standing very
near the throne" aud elderly men oc-
cupying prominent positions In the
fashionable world.
The leader OF the infamous gang was
an American woman, Amelia Hairs,
alias Madame Chionie, an operatlc
singer, now about forty years old, al
though she looks much younger. In
1881 Madame Chionie and her mother
took fine house In the Champs Elysess,
which soon became the headquarters OF
the fastest set in Paris, and the render
vous Of the cleverest adventurers In the
French capital. Large sums were OBJ
tained In variety OF questionable
ways, bat the necessary machinery was
also very expensive, and, after time,
Chionle closed the grand establishment
and disappeared. For several years she
lived in London, on her wits, OF course,
and was clever enough or lucky enough
10 keep out Of the hands OF the police.
Early In 1885 she returned 10 Paris
and took fine house In the Rue Boca-
derc. One OF her earliest victims was
General d'Andiau, the chief culprlt In
the notorious decorations scandal,
whose fall was undoubtedly due TO the
American siren. Madame Chionls's nor
mally large income from hackmailing
and immortality was for some time con-
siderably augmented by commissions
on sales OF decorations, but AZ length
Paris became too dangerous for her,
and she fed 10 London In February,
1887. The ensuing two years were
passed in successful blackmaillng, the
the victims inciu0lnF
former Liberal govern
subsequently, driven froI
In the autumn OF 1859 A.
for she now lived under her
made the acquaintance OF an
wealthy baronet, who, according
varied experiences aud judgman
men should have been an easy p.
But the old man proved 10 bo VeritaL
Tartar He yielded literally enouR
10 her Establishments, but when these
In due course OF time, wers succeeded
by threats, he set his back against the
wall and bit out hard.
Amelia Harris had the supurb audacity
TO bring an action for breach Of promise
Of marriage against the old gentleman
and TO carry II TO trial. Sir Charles
Russell, who appeared for the defend
ant, tore Amelia Halr's reputation 70
tatters and laid bare the whole vile
conspiracy, 30 far as his client was con-
cerned; but a muddls.headed Jury failed
10 agree upon . verdict and the trial
came 70 naught. This was IN ADril,
1890. The adventures fed the country
without attempting 10 reopen the
breach OF promise action, because the
tough old Baronet bad taken the pre-
llmlnary steps TO have her arrested for
perjury and conspiracy.
No one supposed she would have the
courage or enffrontery 70 return, but
she did so, and early 10 1891 resumed
her old business In another name and
with changed methods. She cores
bonded and received her victims as
woman. but she did not reside at her
place OF assignatlon. Her hKed resi-
dsnce was 10 an Questionable quarter
OF the city, and she resided there as
man. She often went about dressed ia
male attire, and when quite recently
chs was run TO earth she was actually
living as man With female accom-
pllce, who passed ss her wife.
BY this strange strategy she complete-
" bafiled the police for eighteen
months, during which she yictimized
wealthy men. Euglishmen and foreign
ers, 20 the extent OF many thousands OK
dollars. She paid flying visits 70 the
continent, but kept her headquartersi In
London.
II was during one OF her trips 70 Par
is that she met the prince standing
yery near throne" whose name an
under obligation not 70 make public.
/ She had cajoled and eItorted from bin
s35. 900 before be ventured 70 kick.
/ Then the French and English secret
police put their heads together ano de-
cided that the career OF Amelia Hairs
must be brought 70 close. Eyidencs
OF criminal practice sufficient 70 obtain
! for her under the English law penal
seryItude for llie was Iaboriously col
Iected and submitted 70 her, when she
wa Amsli. nIn.'y bad ,Ip'G grown comparatively
rich and she shuddered ht the thought
Of prIsou life. The evidence 10 posses.
sion OF the police thoroughly frlghten-
ed her. and she eapitnleted. The pos
lice were prepared 20 arrest and prose
cute her, but only as last Desperate
resource: their chief concern was 20
avoid publicity, aud consequently the
adventures was conceded the honorsoI
war, merely signing . full confession
and surrendering al douments u hef
possession on consideration OF being Al
| lowed 70 leave the country with hei
golden spolls intact.
Amelia Hairs Is still well equipped
mentally and physically for the role OF
a suecessful adventures. Although on
the shady side Of 40, she is Rood-looa-
ioo woman and her manners remain ex-
tre,nslv fascinating. She Is an excelieni
IIo on,lst and a Gne musician. She Be
snnE AZ nearly every court In kuroP
"a h@r voleeds still Of good quail
T,hose dhar&s and talents. u ~
| siood Aake been tFs -s>-reo
UA'" tes. ase l,sai y