Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1874-02-05
THURSDAY. FEBRUARY 5, 1874.
The Blgamy Case.

The Bigamy Case.
One of the most remarkable criminal
trials ever tried in this State took place at
Portland last week before the Superior
Court. Judge Symonds. 1t is case of
polygamy, the respondent being changed
with having married young man named
Edward F. Waite, in this city, while she
had husband living in Pictou, \. S. at
the same time. Her maiden name was Nc
Kenzie. She was married when she was
sixteen to James Waller, in lS62. and two
children were born to them. In 1869. being
in poor circumstances, she came TO tins
city to work, SO as TO obtain money enough
to furnish the house. She continued 10
correspond with her husband, but did not
return, and IN April, 1873, WAS married 10
Waite. In July she returned TO her former
home. where she stayed fortnight, cohab-
iting with Waller. She then returned to
the city, and soon after. her husband, hear
ing that she had married again, came on
here. He called on her, but she stated
poInt blank that she did not know him.
During her residence here, before her last
marriage. she went by the names of Gath
ariue Waller and Carrie NJ. Kent. Her
husband. finding that she would not own
him. began to gather proofs to substantiate
his statement. She was confronted with
several persons with whom she had llVed
under the name of Kate Waller, but In
every instance she denied being acquainted
with them Her brother came on from
New York. He saw her and was positive
il was his sister, and she as positively as
serted she had never seen him. When the
.rand Jury met. an indictment was found
against her. and, As before stated, the trial
commenced. to-day. Mr.. Waite appears %
have implct'faith in her statements, and
attends her in court. She appeared per
fectlv calm and collected, and by no sign
did she betrav any fears as to her acquit-
tai. The court room was densely crowded
with men and women. Her children were
present. but she took no notice of them.
Her husband. Waller, was the first wit
ness, and he detailed the circ' Instances OF
their acquaintance and married life up to
the time she left him. and also the Incl
dents of her visit. last July, .averring that
they slept together a. man and wife. Dur
ing the testimony he walked up close 10
her. and shaking his finger in her face.
and said, 'She is the woman married IN
ls62. and who bore me two children. aud
no other" She sat perfectly STILL and
looking up in his face. smile crept across
her features. \ sister of Waller also tcsti
her brothers wife. A brother-in-law o
Waller. named West. with Elizabeth auC
John Stiles, testified positively as to hei
being Walters wife. The two children
eleven aud nine years of age. also testified
that she was their mother. \ number 81
witnesses belonging in the city were exam
ined. only elicting cumulative testimony
however, as TO identity.
49, A;-oa. ~ -,1eitiv.
testimony of witnesses. the prosecution IN
PRODUCED and read to the jury twenty
letters from Catherine Waller, TO her hu,-
band John Waller.
Most of these letters were written il
Portland, and experts testified that they
were in the handwriting of the Respon
dent. These letters alluded TO the wife.
leaving her husband. and contain kline
messages to her children. speaks OF hel
loneliness and love for her husband. and
al the same time expresses her determine
ton not to return.
fhe most singular circumstance of the
trial. is the wonderful calmness and com
posure which the Respondent manifested
during all the proceedings. Neither tn,
most overwhelming testimony. nor the
tears Of the little children moved her in
the least.
The defence introduced little testimony
nor did the Respondent testify in her OWL
behalf. Two witness testified that they
had seen a woman with defendant, who
closely resembled her, and barber testi-
fled that her hair could not De dyed. a.
some witnesses had stated.
The argument for defence was that her
identity was not established. and that there
was not legal proof of the marriage To
Waller.
The case was given to the jury on Satur-
day evening, but no verdict was rendered
the jury not being able TO agree. They
were out five hours. 1t is reported that
the jury stood nine for acquittal, and three
for conviction.