Washington sentinel. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1856, 1855-06-30
From thePiilsburg Gazette Of June y
acknowledgements nt--Bigamy
Lurcenx.


Officer Hague yesterday brought to the cit4
from brownsville, man named Joseph Halstea8
alias Thomas Jones, against whom are preferred
the various crimes enumerated in the captiorE
above.
The circumstances of the case are as follows:
The prosecutor, Francis Parker, is a ship caps.
tain, and his residence was Jersey City, in tho
state of New Jersey, opposite the city of New
York In the latter part of 1853, he sailed on q
voyage, leaving his wife and her family of four or
five children in Jersey city The defendant, Hall
stead was also resident of the same place where
he was doing business a tailor, and in tina {
capacity furnishing clothing TO the children Of
Mrs. Parker. He is said to be man of affable
and winning address and handsome appearance,
and it is alleged that he contracted amour with
Mrs. r. which resulted on the Oath of December
1853, in an elopement
The children were sent to different parts of the
country. Halstead at the same time was mar
ried man and left his wife to take of herself
Some months ago, Parker returned from his voy-
age to find his hearth deserted, the wife of his
bosom dishonored and carried off--he knew not
where; and his children sent--he knew not where.
lmperious necessity required him to go immedi-
ately on another voyage. His ship had orders to
sail and he could no remain to discover the
author of all his sorrow. The next tidings re-
ceived of him and his vessel was, that she had
been wrecked on the coast of Cuba and he drown
ed.
The next we learn Of the captain s wife, and
her alleged paramount, is in Pittsburg, some five
or six months ago. Ii seems that they had learned
Of Captain Parker's supposed fate, and, coming
on here, were married. They stopped while in
the city at the United States Hotel, Penn street.
After remaining here some six weeks, they went
to Brownsville, where Halstead opened tailoring
establishment and prosecuted his trade.
1t seems that although Captain Parker was
wrecked, he was not drowned He got to land
safa nd finn Iu chnd Mar HI 81
went to work to discover the whereabouts of his
wife and children
After the lapse Of many anxious weeks, he
learned that she was ut Brownsville. He imme-
diately came to Pittsburg, and after ascertaining
the fact of their marriage here he went before
Aid. Steel and made oath charging Halstead with
bigamy. The warrant was placed in the hands
of officer Hague, who accompanied Parker to
Brownsville, arrested the accused and brought him
to this city, where he was placed in Jail. The
captain will arrive from Brownsville to-day, and
the matter will have further hearing this after
noon at two O'Clock before AID Steel.
We omitted to mention that Halstead is also
charged with larceny Of about $500 worth of
goods and chattels the property of Capt. Parker.
The Gazette of the 2lst has the following add
tional proceedings:
TIE HALsTEAD BIGAMY CAsE.-A marriagel
certificate was produced at the examination
which shows that Halstead was married to Mrs |
John Douglas, of this city.
Captain Parker made full statement Of theI
case before the Alderman; the facts being sub
stantialy as we gave them in yesterdays Gazette
He also stated that previous to leaving Jersey
City, Halstead, with most fendsh malignity J
had introduced his (the captain's) eldest son &c
all the haunts OF vice and dissipation in New
York; had utterly ruined his moral character and
degraded him to the level of the rowdy and
drunken, and that is now wandering il
shame and vice-where no one knows. The cap
tan's story elected the most intense sympathy 70
him on the part of those present, and if all the
facts be as stated, and we have no reason now I'd
doubt them, this case assumes features which ard
dshonorable to our humanity and utterly horribl
and revolving to every man, even the vilest
Halstead must indeed be wretch for who's
crimes no punishment sufficiently atone.
We were slightly in error yesterday as to Tho
means by which Parker learr 4 tinlstead S where
abouts. 1t seems that some 4 months ago, TIL
tailor became involved in Haison with anothe
woman at Brownsville. He took her to his house
where she resided his mistress--Mrs Parke
still remaining in the house, but subjected to tn
most brutal and cruel treatment from her husband
Unable longer TO endure this harsh usage, she lief
him. went to her former home, which she had s
hasely deserted, and made Known the whole stor
to her real husband 1t is his intention topunis
Halstead to the full extent of the law, and I'd
obtain divorce from his wife,
As the marriage took place in this city, Hal
stead will be tried for bigamy here.
DoN'r Do IT.-Never make use of an homes
woman's name in an improper place, at an i'm
proper time, or in a mixed company. Nevd
make assertions about her that you think are M
true, illusions that you feel she herself won
blush to hear. When you meet with men WI
do not scruple to make use of a woman
name in reckless manner, shun them, for the
are the very worst members of the community
men lost to every sense of honor, every feelin
Of humanity.