Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1846-10-22
FROM THE SATURDAY vIsrrER, OCT. 3.
LOVE AND URY.--ATRANGE
AND MYSTERIOUS AFFAIR."


been hymenial case Of rare and curious de-
tails. Various rumors are afloat respecting it,,
As usual, and several statements have been
made in the daily papers.
al seems that young man named JoHS f.
ROBERTS, clerk or assistant IN a carpet store
Of MIR. DuvALL, 200 Baltimore street, was an
accepted visiter at the residence and in the fam
lily of one OF our citizens, and somewhat mar
ked In his attentions TO one OF the young la
dies oithe family. Sometime during the month
OF September, however, this gentleman was
informed that ROBERTS had been privately
married to young lady named MARY ANN
WHEATLEY, engaged IN the establishment OF
MIR. GARRAUD, confectioner, next door to the
store of MIR. DUvALL. and upon receiving this
information, he spoke to RoBERrs upon the
subject. The latter positively and emphatI-
cally denied the marriage, and offered TO fur
nish any proof TO the contrary that was IN his
power to do. The information of the gentle
man referred being to the effect that the mar
rage ceremonies had been performed by the
Rev. Mr.. Parsons, of the Catholic denomina-
ton, proposition was made that they should
go together to that gentleman, to which ROB
ERrs accsded, and they accordingly WENT
Upon an introduction to the reverend gentle
man, and an inquiry in the matter, he stated that
he had married, On the evening Of the 10Th Of
August, a couple, by virtue Of a license, in
the names of JOHN ROBERT and MARY ANN
WHLATLEY, and that the gentleman now be-
fore him, and introduced as Mr.. ROBERTS,
was the bridegroom upon that occasion. This
Mr.. ROBERTS positively denied and the rev.
erend gentleman merely remarked that he could
not change his opinion on this point until he
had seen another person so much like MIR.
ROBERTS that he could not tell one from the
other And thus the interview closed.
subsequently il seems, ROBERTS obtained
an affidavit, daily attested before justice GRAY,
in the name Of MARY ANN WHEArLEY, that
she was no, married to him. This was sub
mited 10 the gentleman alluded 10 above, but
who, having lost his confidence in RoBERr,,
refused to believe the affidavit and forbade him
his house Since that time IT appears that he.
ROBERTS, still denies the marriage, and con-
tends that if there has been a marriage at all,
j, is some other person who bears very re-
markabe resemblance to him, and to establish
this as a fact, we learn he instituted prosecu-
ton against gentleman in the western part
OF the city, for stating that he was married, but
which was afterwards abandoned"
As there is "a woman in the case" who,
a. the matter now stands, appears 10 have
been cruelty and basely made by one Of the
"lords of creation" the victim OF misplaced al
fiction, we prefer to let her state the case in
her own way--albeit by so doing she may
place herself before our readers IN the attitude
oil self condemned peUurcI:
"Io THE PUBLIC.-ln consequence OF ma
ny reports put IN circulation, and the accounts
published IN the daily papers OF this CITY, rea-
ting to the unhappy situation IN which have
been placed, and the various OPINIONS the pub
lie may have with regard TO my character and
the motives which caused me 10 make an aili
davlt before justice GRAY, in Mercer street,
land not Justice EGERroS, az stated in Satur-
days SUM- publish this statement OF facts, to
which solicit the extenuation OF the public
opinion. Prior to our marriage, Mr.. JOHN +.
ROBERTS stated TO me that he wished our mar
rage to be kept secret, which | did not ap-
prove to which he made this reply. as nearly
as | can recolecl: He stated 10 me that prop
erty had been left to him and his SISTER, by his
father, which he was 10 obtain on no other
condition but that he should remain single,
and if we would keep it secret, he would short
ly obtain his portion OF the property.
''Under these circumstances consented to
be his wife and with the license which Mr..
ROBERTS procured, and which did not read.
we went to the Rev. Mr. PARSONS dwelling
of August. But few days previous to our
marriage, | consulted with Rev. Mr.. PARSONS,
abou, our intended marriage, and the desire
john f. ROBERTS had as 10 its being kept Sc
cret. and its practibility, to which the Rev.
MIR. Parsons stated that we had best have
some witnesses Accordingly, MIR. J. f. ROB-
IRrs, though much opposed to having wines
ses, obtained the services OF his uncle, Mr.. WIN.
FERGUSON to act as groomsman, and obtain
ed Miss AMELIA G.. SToSER, who acted as
and were both present al our mar
rage, when the Rev. Mr.. PARsoSs, OF the Ro-
man Catholic Church, united us IN the holy
bands OF matrimony, and the which MISS
AMELIA C.. SToNER has since made affidavit,
and is perfectly correct.
"After our marriage, we went TO the house
of Mr. FERGUSON, where remained for near
" three weeks, during which time ! saw MIR.
ROBERTS about six or seven tunes. Mr.. Ron
ERrs came TO me one morning in very I'M
plorinp manner, and stated that his life laid at
nv disposal, at which | was very much sur
prised, and desired an explanation: when,
much to my surprise, he stated, Tor the hrst
time, that he had been paying addresses 10
another lady, who lives in Hanover street, and |
was engaged TO be married to her and was
much alarmed lest her father should shoot
him, or have him put in the penItenuary Tor !
ten years, If il could be proved he was mar
ried.
81 must confess was much confused at the |
time by his language and appearance, so much |
so that scarcely knew where was or what
was doing. He wanted me TO make all pos
sible haste 10 magistrate with hun and to
make affidavit that was married to Mr..
JoHs RoBKRT, but not MIR. JOHN +. ROBERTS.
To satisfy his desires, save his life, or prevent
his being confined in prison Tor ten years,
made affidavit TO that effect, before Justice
GRAY, that | was not married TO the SAID JoHN
F. ROBERTS, but was married TO Mr.. JOHN
ROBERT; which now sincerely regret, and
nope 10 obtain forgiveness OF Almighty God
or the sin have committed, through slmplic-
~ and sincere and devoted affection Tor my l.
husband, that his life may be spared OF exemp-
ed from punishment Subsequently Mr., JNo.
Z. RoBERTs wished me TO appear with hlm at
Mr. JOHN GLENs's office, 10 give shli iurther
evidence of our not being married, as he mad
instituted a prosecution against a gentleman
or stating that he was married. To ms soilc-
tations refused. stating at the time 1t ever |
vent again to Magistrates office or any 9th
n. | should state nothing but the truth IN iu-
ure. as had already acted wrong. When he
ound his solicitations OF no avail, he SAID
,,s, 40 N the country SO the gentleman whom