The New York herald., 1871-08-31
BLUEBEARD IN POU 4HKEspsIE.
Criminal Contarini Confronted with His
Wives.

Criminal COut0rtni CoAtr0ute0 with His
Wives.
PoUaHKERPsIE, August so. 1871.
The case Of Louis Giuseppe Contarlnl, now IN jai
in this city on charge Of bigamy is again attract
ing public attention because OF its consideration BY
the Grand Jury now In session here. It is alleged
that In 1891 the blgamist married Louisa Berden-
muller, now Louisa Eicke. Of New York city; In
1862 Miss Virginia Saunders of Richmond, Va. who
shortly after died: IN 1887 Virginia Delaney widow
woman. OF Boston. by whom ne had one child; and
about year ago Miss Mary B. Dlstan, Of this city,
who sull resides here. The much.wved man came
to account yesterday afternoon before the Grand
Jury, where an extraordinary scene occurred.
When Contaiini's case was called the Grand Jury
were aware Of the presence In this city OF
THREE OF HIS WIVES,
80 they resolved TO have him fully identified before
themlf possible. Notifying the jaIer to briag him
from nis cell they also selected five or SIX citizens
from the lobby OF the Court House to appear IN the
Grand Jury room, and when they and Contarini ar
rived the latter was placed in the ranks with the
citizens, and thus waited the arrival Of the wIves
The first to enter was Boston lady, who claims
that she was lawfully married to Contarini or Con.
tri as he then called himself, in 1865 and that she
has child bv MIN. She gives her name as Virginia
Contr. From other sources 1t was ascertained that
her maiden name was Jane McSheky, and that she
first married man named Delaney, who is now
Dead and that when Contarlni married her she kept
grocery store In Boston, one man says 1t was q
drink NC place. She charges Contarini also with
having seduced one OF the handsome5I girls IN BOs.
. ton, and who became mother. Sne was quite
fashiOnably attircd, wearing black dress with biue
basque, jaunty jockey, and wore curls. Sne took a
seat facing the Grand jury The next to enter was
sr Ssr as n Mrs. Uo9
1he third 10 enter was Louisa Elcke, C0ntarlnts
New York vile, and the fourth, Mary b. Contarlni,
of fv COnrArini'9
When all the wives were seated each one was
asked in turn TO rise and look at the men VINO were
ranged in row before them, to see II they could
recognize any OF them. The Boston lady rose first,
took quick survey, and then, walking right up 10
COntari and pointing her finger at him, said, with
"ou, YoU vILLAINi
] would mark you anywhere" !" Then, turning to
the Grand Jury she said. s'That's the man: that's
Contarini p The foreman Of the jury asked her. "ls
a the 10 o a
and exclaimed, with sobs, Eyes; that's the scamp
that marled me and spent $1,000 OF my money
bitterly. and once more SAID "He took every cent
had and in week afterwards my place OF business
Contarini stood like a statue, having given her
only quick sharp glance. He said never word
while the Boston vile heaped upon him in red hot'
got up and walked towards her. One of the Grand
5 the Last named 70 % nnheT a Of
marry hlms" she replied in a very Indignant man.
ner, "Oh, no; the Lord save me; never merrled
lent language ut COntarlnl tnat an oicer hdd to be
The Iisc come forward was the New
York wife, Louisa EicKe. young good little
creature. UpOn COntar1nt's preliminary eXamina.
tion, some time SINCE sne
CREATED QUITE A SENSATION
In Court with her quick and sharp replies 10 coun-
sel As she advanced towards the prisoner her
face was wrinKied with laughter, and sne eX-
claimed lauahingY, "Aha. terc you are aaaln.
ch Do you know me nOwT' Then, turning TO the
Grand Jury, she said. "ihis is the man Contarni.
but don't care snap for him. l never wan ed to
ing, Contar1ni not noticing her. Her identification
OF the prisoner over his last wife Was calla /.
Sne was formerly Mary b. DIstan She advanced,
evidently with much feeling, and recognizing the
prisoner. and ne her, sne said auding to the con.
duct OF the other women, 81 never was SO tuSulted
in nv lie." Sne then took her seat,
That concluded the scene, when ill OF the females
were conducted TO q retiring room. where they
talked together In such excited manner as to dis
turn the Grand Jury and the County Court, ana once
more an oficer had to quiet them.
IL Is strange with all Of the above facts In view
that COn,ar lnis last wife still adheres to INN faith
fully, and as
TRUE AS STEEL.
Her father is determined to give the scamp a fair
hearing and is the sole instigator OF the present
the prosecution and the deienCe-a proceeding
almost unheard OF before. But the old man Is
honest and is dong all for his daughters sake.
She is so infatuated with the prisoner that she be.
lieyes the whole thing Is conspiracy to ruin him,
and will not believe him guilty till he admits his
crime himself He Will never do that. He VIII 60
down the river without confession.