Washington sentinel. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1856, 1855-06-30
From thePitlsburg Gazette Of June
seduction-EIopc amy
Larceny.

Officer Hague yesterday brought to the city
from Brownsville, man named Joseph HaIstead,
alias Thomas Jones, against whom are preferred
the various crimes enumerated in the caption
above.
The circumstances of the case are as follows:
The prosecutor, Francis Parker, is ship cap
tain, and his residence was Jersey City, in the
state of New Jersey, opposite the city of New
York. In the latter part of 1858, he sailed on
voyage, leaving his wife and her family of four or
FIVE children in Jersey city. The defendant, Hal
stead, was also resident of the same place where
he was doing business as tailor, and in that
capacity furnishing clothing 10 the children of
Mrs. Parker. He is said to be a man of affable
and winning address and handsome appearance,
and it is alleged that he contracted with
Mrs. p. which resulted on the gath Of December,
1853, in an elopement.
The children were sent to different parts of the
country Halstead at the same time was mar
red man and left his wife to take care of herself
Some months ago, Parker returned from his voy-
age to find his hearth deserted, the wife of his
bosom dishonored and carried of-he knew not
where; and his children sent-he knew not where.
Imperious 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.
her alleged paramour, 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 Hastead opened a tailoring
establishment and prosecuted his trade.
1t seems that although Captain Parker was
wrecked, he was not drowned. He got to land
safely, and finally reached New York. He then
went to work to discover the whereabouts of his
wife and children.
learned that she was at 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 Dist has the following add
tional proceedings:
The HALsTEAD BIGAMY CAsE.--A marriage
certificate produced at the examination I
which shows that Halstead was married to Mrs I
Parker on the 3lst of January, 1854, by the Rev
John douglas, OF this city.
Captain Parker made full statement Of the
case before the Alderman; the facts being sub
stantially as we gave them in yesterdays Gazette
He also stated that previous to leaving jersey
City, Halstead, with most iendish malignity
had introduced his (the captains eldest to
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 son is now wandering in
shame and vice-where one knows. The cap
tan's story elected the most intense sympathy foi
him on the part of those present, and if all the
facts be as stated, and we have no reason "a
doubt them this case assumes features which are
dshonorabe to our humanity and utterly horrible
and revolving to every man, even the vilest
Halstead must indeed be a wretch, for whose
crimes no punishment can sufficiently atone
We were slightly in error yesterday to The
means by which Parker learr = ,Halstead' s where
abouts. II seems that some ! months ago, tn,
tailor became involved in laison with another
woman at Brownsville. He took her to his house
where she resided as his mistress--Mrs. Parke
still remaining in the house, but subjected to tht
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. Ii is his intention topunis
Halstead to the full extent of the law, and (,
obtain divorce from his wife.
As the marriage took place in this city, Hal
stead will be tried for bgamy here.
DoN'T Do IT.--Never make use of an homes
woman S name in an improper place, at an in
proper time, or in a mixed company. Nevt