The Portland daily press., 1871-09-06
A Bigamist Confronted by his Three
Wives.

From the Poughkeepsie Eagle
The case of Louis Giuseppe Contarini, now
in Jail on the charge of bgamy. occupied the
attention of the Grand Jury Tuesday after
noon. As rule, in fact as law, the secrets
of the Grand Jury Room are never made
puoilc, but on Tuesday there occurred a scene
within the walls of their room at the Court
House, which inasmuch as il was witnessed
Wy hVe OF SIX outsiders, We think we have the
privilege OF giving publicity to- 1t hapoened
while the jury were celebrating upon Con-
tarani's case. 1t was proposed that Coptarini
be brought from his cell into the .Jurv Roo,,
and there be confronted by two or three of b,s
wives to see if they could identify him
Accord'hgly he was brought out and taken to
the Grand Jury Room where he was "mixed
III win nVe or six citizens. Then his three
living wives were sent for. The first one 10
enter was Boston lady, who claims she was
lawfully married to Contarni in 1868. and that
she had child by him. She gives her name
as virginia Contarini. From other sources
We learn that her maiden name was Jane
McSheky, and that she first married man
named Delaney, who is now dead. and that
When Contarini married her she kept oro-
cerv store in Boston. She was quite fashion.
ably attired, wearing black dress with blue
basque and jaunty jockey. She also wore
curls. She took seat facing the Grand jury.
The next to enter was her sister as compan-
ion. Her name is Mrs. Lucy NJ. Cove. The
third to enter was Louisa Eicke, Contarinfs
New York wife, and the fourth Mary b. Con-
tarini Miss DistinI
1t IS alleged that Contarini married Louisa
Eick in 1861, Virginia Saunders In 1868, Vir-
sina Delaney in 1857, and Mary Dstin about
year ago.
When all the wives became seated each one
was asked i'll turn to rise and look at the men
before them to see ifthey could recognize any
OF them. The Boston lady rose first, took
quick survey and then walking righ. up to
Contarini and pointing her finger at him said
with great emotion, "Oh, you william, woupI
mark you anywherew Then turning to the
jury she exclaimed, "That's the man-that's
Contarinl!' The foreman OF the jury asked
her, us that the man to whom you was mar
ried in BostOn?" At this the Bos, on lady
commenced to weep freely, and exclaimed
with sobs, "Yes, that's the scamp that mar
ried me and spent $4,000 of my money gam
bling and horse racingp Here she again
wept bitterly, and then Cnce more said, "He
tOOh CfCly SChe ldus etuu q week dIIcEWdrus
my place of business was destroyed" At this
juncture her sister rose and started to walk
towards her, when one of the urymeu said,
said, "Did you marry him too~ She replied
in very indignant manner, "Oh no, the
Lord save me, l never married him." aud
then both OF the ladies hulled such violent
language at Contarini that an officer was re-
quested to keep them quiet.
The next to rise and come forward was the
New York wife, Louisa Eicke. 1t will be re.
membered that she created quite a sensation
in Court upon Contarinfs preliminary exam
ination by her quick, merry replies 70 the
| counsel. As she advanced toward the prison
er her face was wllnkled with laughter, and
she exclaimed. .Aha! Here yon are again
eh! DO you know me now?' Then turnin.
to The Grand Jury she said, "Ths is the mar
Contalini, but don't care a snap for bin.
| never wanted to see him again." Her identi
| hcatlon OF the prisoner ended, Contarni's last
l wife was called. She advanced evidently
with much feeling, and recognizing the prs-
oner sald,"I Was never so insulted in INV life .
referring undoubtedly to the action of the
other women.
That concluded the scene, when all of the
| females were conducted to a retiting room
where'they talked in such excited manner
that an officer had 10 be sent to quiet them.
During the entire scene Contarini bore q
stoical expression OF countenance, but said
nothing, as per advice OF his counsel.