Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1895-02-05
SHOCKING CRIMES.
Madame JOniauz Convicted Of Numbering
Her Sister, Brother and UnCle-She Has
Been Sentenced to Death.

ANTWERP, February 4-The trial OF
Madame Henri Joniaux on charge OF
having murdered her brother, sister and
uncle in order TO get their life insur-
auce, resulted in her conviction and
sentence to death.
Tue arrest of Madame Joniaux, April
Is, ls94, charged with having murdered
her brother, sister, and uncle, created
great sensation. She IS the wife OF NJ.
Henri Joniaux, chief state engineer OF
roads and bridges in the province OF
Antwerp, and her social position was Of
the highest. After her arrest the affair
grew 10 be cause cslebre, and took us
place as one Of the most remarkable IN
the annals OF European crime. Marie
Therese JoniauX, who was born in lS42,
is the daughter of the eminent Belgian,
Gen. Ablay, aud niece Of former aide
de-camu on the staff Of King Leopold.
Though she was never wealthy in her
own right. her high family connections
and the great wealth Of many OF her re-
latives assured her OF an enviable social
position.
Mile. AbIay was married at about the
age OF 30 TO Frederick Fsoer, and lived
with him until be died in 1854. lD 1856
Mime. Faber was married to M Joniad1.
Although NJ. Joniaux's income was con-
6ued TO a salary of only 100000 a year,
and his wife was virtually without prl-
yate means,
THEY LIVED IN GREAT STYLE,
maintaining a maRnihcentIy appointed
establishment in large mansion in the
ba a o. ar
layishly, aud where the relatives
died for whose murder Nine. Joniaux
has been convicted.
The first of Nine. Jonaux's victims
was her own sister, Mile Leolne Ablay,
who was unmarried and resided with the
Joniauxes. When Mile AOlay died, IL
was announced that the cause Of her
death was influenza. A short time sub
seouent to her burial it was learned
thar her life mad been insured for 70,-
oOOf.. in favor OF her niece, the daugh-
ter of Nine. Joniaux by her first hus-
hand. NJ. Faber, and it was further
found that the premiums on the poll
cles mad been paid by the JOniauxes.
The next victim was Nine. JoniauXs
brother. NJ. Alfred Ablay, who was
formerly captain in the Belgian army,
INT had been retired, presumably on
account OF his dissolute habits. Short
lv after his retirement he emigrated TO
Buenos Ayfes, where he led dlssolute
life After pursuing the career OF
gambler in various parts OF the Argen-
tine Republic. he obtained employment
as a railway conductor, but was unable
10 hold his position on account OF his
habits. and In 1877 he returned TO Ant
werp. Subsequently he engaged In
commercial pursuits In Paris and
Alpiers. but was able 10 do no better
than 10
MAKE A BARE LIVING,
and in February he came to Antwerp TO
live with his sister. A few weeks after
establishing himself with his sister he
died. as il was given out. from heart
disease. His life was insured for l00,
OOOf. for the benefit Of his sister, the
nreminm, as in the case OF Mile. Ablay,
being paid by the Jonianxes.
The third victim was Jacques van den
Kerchove, a wealthy uncle OF Nine oni-
aux, who was extensively engaged In
COTTON manufacture in Ghent. N. Ker-
choye, who was a man OF gigantic stat
ure and robust health, paid visit to his
niece. at whose house he intended 70 re-
main a few weeks. While he was the
guest of Nine. Joniaux he died,as it was
said, from cerebral congestion. NJ.
Kerchove's life was insured Tor large
sum 10 favor OF Nine. Joniaux, the pol
icies having been taken out only few
weeks before his death, and d few days
after his arrival at Nine. Jonlaux's
| house.
The succession Of sudden deaths at
Nine. Joniaux's residence OF persons
whose lives we're Insured for her bene-
dt finally aroused the suspicious of the
nolice. The bodies Of Mile. and ex-
Capt. Ably and NJ. Kerchoye were ex-
bumed and examined. The result was
! the finding Of unmistakaole traces Of
pOision in each.