New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1903-12-27
FRENCH POISONING CASE.
SeHsatiU1a. Features Of Crime
Charged 10 ii ido10 and Her Lorer
Paris. Dacanher l.

resemblance 20 the crime Of ZoIa's diabo,ioel
atrone, Therese Raquin, VIII shortly come IN
fcr trial before the Criminal Court ~ Mar
ssilles. The facts as sdauced by the preliuina-
r. investigation OF The magistrates disclose a
cyacisra eqGalling acvthing imagined by the
most DARING writer's O. fiction or naelodrama.
Nine Alice Massot, twenty-seven years old,
tan, dark haired, black eyed beauty, of pure
Grcoisn type ana profile and her acoomplice.
Edouard Hubac, 8 medical student. twenty
three years old, both belong 10 highly respecta-
be families, well known in MarseilIes. Paris and
Nice. They are now IN prison, charged with
having caused the death, by gradually increas-
ing doses OF corrosive subiimaIe, Of Nine. Alice
Msssot's husband. a jovial. good natured. open
hearted officer Of the Messageries Maritimes
company thirry-seven years old, ana who for
the last few years as purser OF the steamships
Tigre, Basdad and Portugal. was well known
20 many prominent Americans and English who
make annual winter trips 10 Egypt. Nine
Nartorell mother Of the accused woman, who
was received in the best Riviera society at Nice
and Cannes. lost her reason when apprsed of
her daughters arrest, and had to be confined in
q iUnatic asylum In consequence of the COM
plete confession made OF the crime by the young
medical student. EdOuard Hubac his father
Judge Hubac sent IN his resignation as Vice
President Of the Civil Tribunal Of Marseilles
20 the Minister OF Justice. and is suffering
from a dangerous attack of nervous prostra-
ton A narrative OF the facts, as ELECTED by
The investigating MAGISTRATES. and by the con-
fession made 10y young Edouard Hubac. is
Eai le6 Of highly instructive psychological
interest, ard tie terrible story may be sum-
married ~ follows:
In the season of 1861 Nile. Alice Marto-
reIle made her debut in society in Marseilles,
Her mother and relatives gave balls, dances
and musical receptions for the beautiful and
accomplished girl Her rich contralto voice
elected appreciative comments from Saint
saGns and Massenet. She was well versed in
literature, and AT private theatrical entertain
ments charmed her hearers by recitals from Ed
nlond Rostand's ''Princ=sse Lointaine'' and from
Alfred De Ctussets "Andalouse." she wrote
for Narcotics journal clever description OF
George Sands Venetian escapade with De Mus
set She was skilled with brush and pencil, and
amused herself by making sketches in pastel
II the olive crested Provencal coast. Her mother
was wealthy. and accorded her a generous
coWry. She became d spoiled child. and
stunned what she termed "a New-York indie
Tenoence' Of manner Her father was dead.
ana with no male relatives to restrain her wild
ghts toward emancipation. except a genial
b0n-Yivant uncle. she did not hesitate TO enter
into desperate hirIations with her many ad-
mirers. a mutual attachment sprang up be-
tween Mile. Alice NartoreIle and NJ Massot
Commissary Of the Messageries Maritimes Com
pany, and they were married in January, 1885.
Their domestic life a first seemed~ro be happy.
Two children were born 10 them, a little son.
Henri, now five years old. and q daughter.
Gilberte, two years old.
II. NassOt's seafaring duties however COM
PEELED him TO make frequent voyages TO Alex
andra, Syria and Constanttnople on the COM
ranys ships. In course Of one Of these absences
Nine Nassot met at masked bail the young
medical student NJ Edouard Hubac. He was
masquerading as a ''Pierrot'' and she was at
tired a Louis Quinze shepherdess, with short
skirts and crook The admiring 'Pierrot' was
introduced 10 the frisky shepherdess by DR..
Rubino, a popular physician, who was himself
Erayed as the King Of Clubs'-of hearts
would have been more appropriate. The white
'Pierrot' and the pink shepherdess discovered
mutual congeniality Of temperament Flirta-
ton began forthwith. Frequent visits ensued.
n HUbac soon became a regular guest at Nine.
Msssots afternoon tea parties al the Villa
Toutes-Aures, where she lived with her mother
Clsndestine meetings began soon afterward.
Finally II. Hubac rented q small bachelor fiat
r. No. 81 Rue de la Republique, where twilight
firtstions took place two or three times week
between the frisky young grass widow and the
attractive young medical student According TO
the confessions made subsequent to the arrest
the following dialogue ensued al one Of these
secret meetings:
You seem melancholy and preoccupied,
dearest What is the natter"
GIme- Mascot gave evasive replies and seemed
E2dder than ever)
You are conoealing something from me
What is it,
look here have never been really happy
IN my life until met you
Then Why continue 10 be anxious and wor-
-iede I wiz do everything in my power to cheer
you Up and ehace those lines Of sorrow from
your face
win you undertake TO accomplish what may
seem TO Us Impossible
Yes promise you TO attempt the -impos-
EIbe'"'
Very well As matters now stand II is i'm
possible for 10 meet without causing gossip
& nd scandal We are watched at every corner
AL the hoTrid old gOssips the lookout for
rs As yet my husbands supicions are not
aroused. But az any moment he may learn our
secret. What I want is that should no longer
he obliged 10 hide our feelings behind doors and
window curtains. We must be united openly
ard before the worldr'
Very well. We can make such scandal that
Jour husband VIII get divOrcer
That would never do. In The first place,
divorce would be pronounced against me, and
the Law would prevent me either from marrying
you OF from seeing my children"
"Ahi Unfortunately" reJoined the medical
student, there is no other way out OF the diff
Guilty"
Nine Nassot cid not answer Immediately, but
Ter eyes became brilliant with anger. and with
determined expression OF hatred she said: