The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1867-11-08
THE PETERSEN ABANDONMENT CASE.

Another Curious Chapter-The Marriage Ger.
tihcatc Found-The Priest Identifies the
Accused.
At q late hour yesterday afternoon the celebrated
Petersen abandonment case was reopened for the ad-
mission Of testimony and the fling Of the marriage
certificate, which, previous occasion. Catharine
Petersen, nee Maher. who claims to be the wife OF
Christopher Petersen, TO whom, under the name Of
Daniel Is alleged by her, she had been joined in
riago according 10 the rites OF the Catholic
church. In November, 1857. The only witness
examined and by whom the complainant hoped to
prove her asseveration was tho reverend gentleman
Who married her in the year named Since 1857, this
clergyman, Rev. James Daily. has been removed from
Canada missionary station in New Jersey, and it was
with difficulty nis present residence could DO OBJ
tanned; hence the delay in pursuing the Yester
day afternoon. however he appeared in court and the
parties being ready his direct and cross examinations
we're entered Tho following is the material portion
his statement on the direct examination II will be
he In 1t identities Christopher Petersen as the whom
married to Catherine Maher at the place and in the
month and year ALLEGED in her original affidavit When,
however he was examined by the counsel for the de.
fence he considerably modified his language and would
only say that to the best OF his knowledge and belief
The defendant was the person whom he had united in
ON being duly sworn Rev. James Daily, now OF
Gloucester Camden county, State OF New Jersey stated
CataoI c church, and pastor OF the Roman Catho-
lie church at Compton, Eastern townships, Canada,
or the II day OF OCTOBER, 1897. and Tor some time
PRIOR thereto (The certificate Of marriage here
produced and identified by the witness as the
drawn up By him on the occasion of
the marriage, and that II was his chirography in
both text ami s.guaturc) Direct cxaminaton-The
tidcatc Is cert hca,e of marriage record between
Daniel Petersen and Catherine Naher. ia the capacity
OF a Catholic priest, TO the best OF my knowledge and
belief married the parties named in SAID certificate at
the time therein stated: identity the woman now here,
the complainant Catherine, as the woman married or
joined marriage that occasion also identify the
de endant here as the man Daniel Petersen, whom
upon that occasion married To the complainant, Cahe
rine they the complainant and the deiendant)
are tho parties whom then married, and TO
whose marriage the certificate now here refers; the
accordance with the rites OF the Roman Catholic
church, farmers house in Canada East 4pout four
mics from Compton. and within my parish, On the 1t
day Of November, 1857 made record Of said marriage
In roy parish register.
q Who spoke to You first about the marriage about
marrying A. believe the defendant, Petersen, did;
that is customary.
Examination continued-I did not Immediately upon
the application perform the ceremony; left the woman
Catherine In farmers house, one or my pensioners
By the name Of Lacy, for the night and drove the
DAILY, where We myself aud Petersen, remained
that night the Eight pro cedng the MARRIAGE do not
rccoect anything Of the conversation held be-
tween Petersen and myself except that he told mo that
he had come from Montreal; married the parties the
next day; am acquainted with the country around
there; lived in Canada for years: the neighbor-
hood is considered in the United States by parties
siding hereabout: 1t Ia very close TO the boundary line;
the line 10 an imaginary one.
The cfoss-sxamnation covers twelve pages Of closely
written matter, but except In the fact that the witness
identity Of Petersen did not materially from that
given in his direct examination.
The court room was crowded BY the friends Of the
party during the examination, and much interest
tested 10 what said by the reverend gentleman
The case, by agreement OF counsel, further i'd
journed to Monday, the 18Th inst, at two o'clock N.