The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1869-12-01
From the Baltimore Gazette, November 5oh.
Alleged. Case OF EsiyaE,eyA New Forli
Esc7sOrtar Il. n TSiif;cuIty.

From the Baltimore Gazette. November Solh.
ALLEGED: Case OF 4sEisas.sy-A New YorEi
Reporter Il. a Etif;cu,ts.
On q warrant issued few days ago at the
instance of the complainant alluded to be-
low, officer 4. Gibson Yesterday arrested
John Bell Courtney, an Engli>hman by
birth. and until within Il recent period
employed in the capacity Of correspondent
or reporter for the New York World, OH
the charge of having committed bi@any 10y
marrying Ellen Theresa Cunningham, in
this city, and having at the time wife re-
siding in London, England. At O'Clock
Yesterday afternoon Il hearing in the case
was had before Justice Bride III the Western
etation-housc. and owing to the novelty OF
The chargc. and incidents connected there
with. considerable audience witnessed the
proceedings With interest. On the part OF the
state thc prosecution was conducted by the
officiating magistrate. the accused having
engaged the services Of Bernard Carter.
Esq, rs counsel in his behalf. The only
testimony offered on the part OF the prose-
cution was several letters written by Court
ncy since his marriage TO Miss Cunningham,
on the 18th instant, the ceremony being
performed by the Rev. Father Coskery, Vi
car-ecncra. OF the cathedral. In these let
tiers Courtney asserts that he was married
Il
who at the time OF contracting his late
marriage was living in London. \ letter
was also produced in evidence, written to Il
Catholic priest OF this city since the latter
marriage, in which he reiterated the same
statement, and asked the advice of the priest
as 10 what would be the best course to
adopt in the emergency.
1t was also proved that Courtney had
made verbal statements cOrrohOratlng the
contents of the letters regarding his two
marriages. and had repeatedly since his late
marriage informed his wife that he was mai
red, and that he had wife residing in Lon
don.
Beyond the evidence OF his guilt rs above
stated, furnished by the prisoner himself in
the shape OF documentary and verbal testi-
mony, not an atom OF proof was intro
duccd to throw any light on the first mar
riage.
On the part Of the defence, Courtney adj
mttcd the fact of having written the letters,
also of having made verbal statements to
his wife to the elect that he was a married
ALLEGED substantially the following reasons
for his action He stated that he arrived III
this city about one month since, and after
brief c0urtShip was married to Miss Cum
ningham on the 18th Of October, ultimo,
the ceremony being performed ut private
residence by Rev. DR.. Coskery. That after
two weeks had elapsed he made discore-
ries of such q nature as to induce him
to believe that his wife was or had
been receiving the attentions OF others
than himself; upon which he at once de-
termined on n separation. This ne urged
on his wife, and offered her aseparate main
teuancc provided she would allow INN to
separate quietly. This she refused posi-
4 5,, will ~
factory explanation Of her conduct i'll
sisted on remaining with him. After
cXhausting all his powers OF persuasion
he determined on plan, and 1t once re-
solved to test its efficacy, thinking 1t
would have the effect OF inducing Mrs.
Courtney TO allow him to depart. lie accord
in"ly wrote the letters offered in evidence,
and also made the statement to his wife
that he had contracted prior marriage,
hoping that she would, after leaving him,
consent to Il separation, and little thinking
how she would use the weapon thus placed
within her reach. She caused his ar
rest immediately, and after little less
than three weeks of welded bliss
fife bridegroom fines himself an inmate
of the city Jail. The case was fully ar
eued Iy Bernard Carter, Esq, who con-
tended that the evidence was not sufficiently
strong to sustain the charges, but Justice
Bride determined to send the accused be-
fore the Grand jury, and in default Of secu-
rity in The sum of S., 900 committed him TO
iail. Courtney is quite young and pre-
possessing man, and it is stated that both
In London and New York he had attained
considerable reputation as writer, ana
was at one time employed as private secre-
tary to Hon. Reyerdy johnson during his
visit to England.
On Saturday there was another collision