MAYOR ARRESTED AS BANDIT

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LV, Issue 235, 22 February 1913, Page 2 (Supplement)

MAYOR ARRESTED AS BANDIT

ACCUSED OF TRYING TO MURDER TWO WOMKX NKAR PARIS.

.M. Eugene Prosper Pirou, a man of reputed wealth, and the present .Mayor ot Gentilly, a southern suburb of Paris, has been arrested on a charge of attempting to murder two women, on the eve of December 28, in a villa occupied by the family of the late M. Cliabrux, a banker, who died a fortnight previously.

The dead man's business was carried on by his son, who lived with his widowed mother and her sister, Mile. Pellet, 'the son went out in the afternoon, leaving his mother and aunt alone in the villa, and at six o'clock the bell rang. .Mile. Pollet opened the door, and found herself in the presence of a tall man dressed in black, who asked to see, M. Chabrux, for whom he said he had a parcel. . On learning that M. Chabrux: was out, the man, who gave the name of "Jamct," said he would leave the parcel, but that he wished a reeefpt for it, and would be obliged to Mile. Pollet if she would verify its contents. As she bent over to open the parcel the unknown visitor stabbed her in the back and neck, and again on the top of the head. After a single cry for help Mile. Pollet fell unconscious. Her cry brought Mme. Chabrux, who was in turn attacked and stabbed. When neighbors appeared the assailant had already taken flight, hut the two women were able to give a clear description of him. The most important clue was a glove button and a fragment of glove, which convinced M. G'uichard, chief of the de-' teetive force, that "•Jamct," as he called himself, was either a glovemakcr or a tanner. The women had described him as a tall, strongly-built man, short-neck-ed, with round shoulders, a heavy moustache, and a mole on his chin. The police learned that M. Pirou, the Mayor of Gentilly, had not been seen in the neighborhood since the crime was com- , mitted. and that his appearance corresponded to some extent with that of '•Jamct."

M. Chabrux had seen ".lainet" for some time at close quarters on the previous night, when they discussed the possibility of a loan. Learning that M. Pirou was lunching with M. Levy, a leather merchant, in the Rue Geoffrey St. Hilaire, in Paris. M. Guie.hard disguised M. Chabrux, and sent him with two detectives to watch the door of M. Lew's house. IDENTIFIED BY VICTIMS.

At half-past one M. Pirou, the Mayor .of Gentilly, came out. Chabrux took off the wig he. was wearing and went towards him. Pirou held out his hand. Chabrux struck him in the face, seized him by the collar, and shouted to the detectives, "This is the murderer; I have got him." When the police came up Pirou said, quietly, ''What does this mean? lam the Mayor of Gentilly." He was handcuffed and taken to M. Guiehard's office at the. Prefecture of Police, but he denied all knowledge of the crime. After his capture the mayor was taken to the Hospital de la Pitie, where the wounded women were lying in a critical condition. When he entered the ward with several detectives Mme. Chabrux sat up in bed and, pointing to M. Pirou, without any hesitation, exelaimed: "That's the man! That's the man!" Mile. Pollet also recognised him. saying: "That is the murderer. Defend me; he will kill me!"

Subsequently the investigation magistrate decided to search the.Mayor's Paris residence. M. Pirou became excited, and said: "I beg you to excuse me from accompanying you. lam innocent. Spare me from a meeting with my unhappy wife. She would die of shame if she learnt of the accusation brought against me."

Mme. Pirou fainted when told of the charge against her husband, who, it is alleged, had spent her dowry in speculative ventures. The detectives took away the clothing M. Pirou wore on the day of the crime, also a blood-stained towel that had been hurriedly washed. M. Guiohard. head of the detective department, ascertained that on the evening of the crime M. Pirou telegraphed to his wife that he would not be at home for dinner at the customary hour. When he did return home M. Pirou passed a long time in his dressing-room, and as his wife was aware of hi* critical financial position, she was afraid for a moment that he had committed suicide. The blood-stained towel was found in the dressing-room the next 7norning by a servant girl.

The arrest of the Mayor will make it necessary for the business documents of Gentilly to lie signed in prison as long as he remains there. Tt is the first time that the Mayor of a Paris district has been in prison on a criminal charge.