The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1873-07-23
Two Wives-TI.e Eccentricitles Of a
PiOns Man Deserts His
Wife and Murries Bridget Dolan.

from the Pittsburgh Dispatch. July 1871
On Wednesday last an elderly lady en-
tered the Office of Alderman Kreuter, and
approaching that gentleman desired the favor
OF private interview. That being granted,
a consultation took place, the object of which
will be readily understood from the story
which follows. Having concluded her mis-
sion, the lady departed, and the Squire i'm
mediately sent for his constable, to whom
he gave a warrant with directions as
to where the person wanted would probably
be found. Armed with that document, the
officer started up the railroad, and about
forty miles from this city found the object Of
his search. Yesterday afternoon Benjamin
Rees was committed to jail for hearing on
y change Of bigamy. Thus far the matter
was commonplace enough, but further in
vesliSation revealed the fact that there were
some curious phases to the case, and one Of
our reporters, after diligent search, succeed
ed in getting at the full details Of the strange
story.
A MARRIAGE EIGHTEEN YEARS AGO.
Twenty years ago Benjamin ReeS, then a
rising young tradesman in the town Of
Meath, in Clanmoganshire, Wales, met,
wooed, and won farmers daughter named
Hannah Davis. The marriage ceremony was
performed by Rev. William Williams, curate
Of The Established Church, on the 2Sth of
January, 1856, and the newly-Wedded pair
began the battle of life. Nine children were
the result OF the union, and the family lived
happily in the mountains of Wales. Mr..
kees, besides possessing good education,
was thoroughly religious man, belonging
To the church, and was generally respected
as All upright man and an honest citizen. IL
was bis custom every night to kneel with
his children, and the whole family offered up
prayers in unison. This happy state OF affairs
continued until about three years ago, when
NIr. Rees hopinsto better his fortunes in the
new world, left home for the United States.
The understanding was that his family,
which then consisted OF 4 owife and five
children, should follow him when he had
entered on the road to that fortune which
all were sure awaited him on this side OF the
Atlantic. For two years after bis departure
his wife received letters containing money,
and speaking of the time when they should
all be retnited in an American home. About
six months ago his letters began to show
that something was wrong, as they were
brief and curt. On the 18th Of March his
wife received Il letter, or note rather, con-
taining draft for q pound sterling and
few commonplace phrases. That was the
Iasp Ot tue nuSDaDGS WlSSlFeS.
CROSSING The OCEAN FOR NEWS.
After weeks and months of weary waiting
Mrs. Hannah ReeS wrote to some friends IN
Titusville. where her husband had been
working. The response of that letter hiied
her with despair, as it informed her that her
husband was paving devoted attentions to
lady residing ID that city. a second letter
for further particulars was misiald, and an
imploring missiye to Der husband probably
never reached its destination. AT length the
news arrived that Benjamin Rees, the father
of her children, was married, and was
living with his wife 10 Pittsburgh. This
was more than could be borne, and 80, with
heavy heart, the wife ana mother, bidding
yood.bye to her children, left home month
ago to seek, for the truant husband. Arriving
in this city, a glance at the directory showed
REM. Bates, stonemason, living at 16 Penn
street, and subsequent inquiries proved with
a wife. Then it was that information against
her husband was made before Squire Kreu-
ter, and his arrest accomplished as above
noted. Mrs. Rees No. is now stopping at
the Miners Home, on Grant street, and from
her one Of our reporters gathered the above
facts. The bereayed woman produced her
lnarrisge certificate, letters, and incontesta-
'bie proof that at the time and place above
mentioned she was legally married, in pres
ence Of witnesses, to benjamin Rees. Mrs.
Rees is a woman apparently about forty.fiye
years ofage, but her troubles have driven her
TO despair and as she spoke OF her children
her tears flowed in profusioD. Her eldest
boy is now eighteen years old, and q letter
received from him yesterday beseeches,
- Dear mot her, bring father home"
9 ). IsorHHR WIFE AND CHILD. II q
A. visit 70 No. 10 Penn avenue, and
am isa,,iry for 6 Mrs. Rees, resulted In
the reporter being directed to the upper
story Of q crowded tenement -house,, and
there Id "a miserable, squalid room was found
the woman who answered 20 the name. IA
little bsbg shout nix months old WAS In her
] afns, aud looking wonderingly at tho visitor.
Tie woman Inquired shat5 Was wanted, hut
innledistely she added, 4 is II about Benz
lttsanspircd that sbs had received I1essage