The New York herald., 1921-10-30
Modern Borgia, Who Lived
High in Paris, Never
Married Victims.
KILLS HIMSELF IN JAIL
One of His Intimates Is Be.
lieved to Have Slipped a
Potion Into Cell.

Special Gable to THE New YORK HERALD.
Copyright, 1891, by THE New York HERALD.
New York Herald Bureau,
Paris, Oct. 20.
Although the principal figure in a
sensational series Of poisonings be-
lieved to have been devised as means
of swindling insurance companies
died mysteriously in his prison cell
several weeks ago, the Paris Court Of
Assizes commenced this week to un-
ravel evidence which is expected to
reveal that the late Henri Gerard,
scion Of a family well known In Paris
social, political and financial circles.
was one Of the century's greatest
criminals.
Four alleged victims of his schem-
ing are said to have succumbed to
polsons or disease producing microbes
cleverly introduced into their food
while they were enjoying Gerard's
hospitality. Tales Of passionate WOO
ings that never ended in marriage
likewise are to be recited, always with
the intention Of proving that Gerard
aspired to go down in history as
modern Borgia.
At one time he was known to have
maintained three women friends lux
uriously in separate apartments by
means Of various swindles perpetrated
on unsuspecting insurance clients or
from the proceeds of his alleged poison
ing efforts. Strangest Of all Is the fact
that Gerard Is known to have served as
the war and was praised for his dill
gence and sobriety.
Released After store theft.
Although In 1918 Gerard was caught
stealing packages from a Paris depart
ment store. he was released when the
jury returned verdict Of non lieu fol-
lowing a plea by an army doctor that
Gerard was always a sentimental
dreamer and superdegenerate.
Tho court even returned several phials
found in his room without the slightest
investigation, although they are now
said to have contained cultures of harm
full bacteria. A series of pamphlets with
original notes about poisons dangerous
to the human system also was returned
to him.
Always brilliant in his studies, Gerard
was twice expelled from colleges for
thefts from his colleagues. The son OF
prominent physician and chemist.
and Is even said to have swallowed small
potions to study the initial effects and
counteracting remedies. With this as a
mental background 1t Is assumed that It
was only natural when his funds ran
short that he should turn to crime by
poisoning as the easiest method Of re-
newing his prosperity.
The police have several Golfers con-
tanning discriminating evidence which
they found In the home Of Gerard's last
woman companion. These contain a
score of small bottles with typhoid.
cholera and tetanus cultures, as well as
preserved specimens of poisonous mush-
rooms. All of these. 1t is believed. were
used to murder unsuspecting guests, and
as the inquests over the victims always
showed that death was due to more or
less ordinary maladies Gerards COM
plicity was not suspected until It was
discovered that four insurance COM
panies had paid him money on policies
of the victims. at least three Of which
had made him the only beneficiary.
Difficult Problem for Police.
The case was admitted to be the most
difficult one with which the police had
been confronted in recent years, as
Gerard used every possible means to
mystfy those likely to start an investi-
cation. The victims never knew that
insurance policies had been taken out
in their names. Gerard, acting as agent,
Is said to have transacted all the busi-
ness. and when a physical examination
was required he is said to have provided
one of his intimate woman friends to
undergo the test by the insurance COM
panys physician.
The discovery came when one COM
pany refused to pay 5000 francs until
the signatures on the policy had been
verified. which showed that the client
supposed to have been Nine. Monin
was really substitute for an accom-
plice who had fallen prey to Gerard's
persuasions. Mme Monin died three
wseks after the policy had been issued
following dinner in Gerards home.
where poisonous mushrooms are be-
lieved to have provoked the atrocious
pains noted by the physician who was
called In.
1t Is estimated that Gerard gained
more than 100000 francs through his ex-
ploits, but all OF this was spent I'm less
than a year OF riotous life in Mont
martre and seaside resorts. The police
have never discovered the cause of
Gerard's death, but believe that one of
his woman companions succeeded in
. Passing small quantity Of n little
known poison to him through the cell
bars with which Gerard decidsd to de-
feat justice when he realized that he