Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1871-06-29
LOCAL NEWS.

BIaAMY.-In yesterdays Gazette there APP
peared short account of the case Of man
named Austin committed to Jail in this city on
the charge of bigamy. AS the case excltes some
curiosity the following particulars arc published
concerning it. The Washington Republican of
last Saturday contained the following:
On Wednesday there arrived on an afternoon
train q lady and gentleman who were evidently
very much euamoured of each other, but who
like most lovers, were rather shy of strangers.
They went at once to the Columbia hotel, where
they registered, and soon after met gentleman
friend who invited them to the theatre. y
stroll up the Avenue followed but tor reasons
best known to MIN, the friend crossed with them
to the south side of the Avenue while IN the
neighborhood Of Twelfth street and the trio
were proceeding slowly but in very suspicious
manner down that street when they were met
by Officer Fainter, who thinking that all was
not right, arrested them and took them to the
Central Guard House. where they spent the
night. In the morning they were taken to
headquarters, and Detective Big ley sent to H.
terview them, which he did, and was not long
in discovering that they were both natives OF
Virginia. that they had loved mot wisely but
too we'll or at least she had, and that they
had come to this city to start on round OF
pleasure, the first whirl Of which was being
spun when the minion Of the law closed
them in his grasp. If they had not already
been, Mr. Bigley was not long in convincing
them OF the error or their way, and as the only
and best mode of retrieving the past, an ALL
auce was resolved on. The officer, always will
ing to oblige, proceeded at once to the Clerk 5
office, City Hall, and secured a license, by
which any authorized minister OF the gospel
could weld the two loving hearts in bonds tight
or and more binding than those advocated by
Clafin & Woodruff
This done, he determined that the honor of
redecmng the crring pair from the path OF vice
and placing them on the narrow but straight
road which leads to honor and happiness on
earth, and JOY hereafter, should be given to Rev:
DR.. Newman, on whom he called and stated
the object of his visit.
The Doctor answering ut once the call OF duty
and Of love, willingly agreed to be the admins
TRAITOR Of the ceremony. Shortly after pro-
cession left headquarters, and in little while
the cosy study of the Doctor, in Metropolitan
church, was reached Here in the presence OF
Messrs. Bigley and Coombs as witnesses, the
solemn vows were spoken; and the twain de-
carcd one according to the laws of God and
mall The ceremony was simple but tervcnt
and affecting, and the twain made one SEEM
ed fully to realize aud appreciate the great
change which the short half hour had made in
their prospects, After few words OF counsel
and advice from DR.. Newman, they departed
to start anew in the race Of life, with higher
holier aspirations which, it is to he hoped, they
may gain, and never regret the step they were
persuaded to take in Washington.
The Washington Star of the same evening
contained the following:
Thursday evening the attention Of Officers
Fainter, Hinkle and hardwood was directed to
the suspicious conduct ola man and girl III the
neighborhood of 18th and D streets, who were
in lager beer saloon. The officers followed
them to an ice cream saloon, when Officer Fam
ter called the girl out and in reply to questions
she said she came from her aunt,s in Amherst
county, Va, and that the man was her cousin:
On questioning him separately he said they had
come from Baltimore Thursday where they
were married The officers took the pair to the
fifth precinct station where he gave the name
j. a. Austin and she of Mississippi Burk. The
man appears to be about 80 years OF age. lie
is rather rough looking man. something un-
der the medium height and OF very dark com
pexion She is a slight built girl, small! te;'-
lures with dark hair and eyes and has evident
" been we'll raised She appears not to be over
is years of age although she states she is Is.
Thursday night she stated that she was mar,
ried to Austin, but yesterday took 1t back, and
stated also that she had father working on
railroad. and she was living with her aunt at
Peddler's Mills, Va. where she met Austin.
who is a farmer. Both were taken to Police
Headquarters yesterday morning and had an
interview with Major Richards, in the course
Of which she said she wished to go with him.
as he had promised to marry her. She also
stated that they had taken the tram at Iynch-
burg for Suffolk, and from thence to Baltimore
nd
evening seeing the sights. Major Richards
said Austin might return home, and he would
detain the girl here until her parents could be
heard from; but this did not seem to satisfy
either of the pair, as Austin refused TO depart,
and in the afternoon they expressed Wish TO
be united without delay, whereupon Detectives
Coombs and Bigley procured q license: anu
escorting the couple to Rev. DR.. Newman
studio, they were made one
The parties came here on Saturday evening
last and took a room at the boarding house OF
Mr.. Freeman, corner of Prince and Henry
streets As stated in yesterdays Gazette
their conduct and appearance there attracted
considerable attention, and it was thought that
the man was attempting to run away from the
girl.
Yesterday morning, however, they were at
tho denot of the O., ~ Il NJ. L. X. together,
trying to make arrangements for passage to
Lvnchburg, when Austin was recognized by
Mossrs r. r.. Nance, of Bedford county, and
G. s. Orerstrect of Liberty, as married man
who lived in Bedford, and thereupon he was
immediately arrested by police officer U' H.
Lyles and taken before the Mayor VINO com
mitted him to jail on the charge OF oisamy'
and the girl held as witness. ...
The girl says that at her arrest Aus'',
told her that he had seen her father and had
been told by him to bring her home; that she
cot on the train with the intention OF gons
Iome and was very much surprised when she