New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1874-02-25
THE COURTS.
. NEW DEFENSE FOR BrGAMY.
RIAL OF WILLIAM lnAwLEY-A LIE FULL OF MIS-

TRIAL OF WILLIAM iHAwLEY-A LIE FULL OF MIS-
very interesting case, not without emo
tona Incidents tried In the Court OF oyer and Ter
miner yesterday The prisoner was WIN. Hawley, Alias
VIM Henry Hamilton. who ia charged with bigamy AS
Il was the first trial oense Of this kind that has
occurred In the court for time great interest was
manifested and the audience large one The com
plant charges that Hawley married Mary A. Dakn on
June 49, 1862 and after living with her until 1875 mar
fed IN February Of that year. Mary Elizabeth Gross,
his first wife being still alive. The punishment for this
ofense is I've years in the State Prison.
The frat witness called was the first wife, who testified
that she first lHawley, who then passed under the
name Of Hamilton, about years ago at No 81 West
and that her marriage TO him took place on
Saturday night in March FIVE years ago In the Greene
ST. Methodist Church. the presence OF two witnesses
Peter Mitchell, the prisoners counsel sought to prove
by examination that she had been mar
ried TO man whose sOuDriquet Is Long John, after
che went to Philadelphia aud that upon ascerainng this
fact prisoner instituted divorce proceedings against
her. that the decree lately granted The witness
however, could be made to admit that she had been
married 4 second time. She gave, however, some ugly
facts in reference 70 prisoners character and mode
Of life.
Catharine Hagan Of No. 1871 ST., testified to
beng . witness OF the first marriage and the Rev.
Elias 8. OSbon, pastor OF the Greene-st Methodist
Church. produced his registry OF marriages and swOre
that he married the prisoner under the name OF Wm
Hawley, TO Mary Elizabeth Gross on Feb T. 1873. He
identified the prisoner by his hight and also by his occu
pation--butcher.
The defense dementia, and Mr. Mitchell In an at
tempt prove that the prisoners mind was SO upset
by the discovery his wifcs ndelty, combined with
early and continued disease and cldents, called The
Allen proprietor Bernard House, and the prison
ers own mother. The former swore that Catherine
Diegan aud "LODg John" we're at bis h0te ana lhIl
In Philadelphia. Later the prisoner came himself
and made inquiries The examination OF the InoCher
brought the OF more than one OF the jurors
Sle was dressed well, appeared refined ana SAD, ana
thoroughly like what she represented herself To he--
visitor sick and poor people. very different IN lacJ
from son. WHO. most peculiar race, exhlO ed SHt
markable story OF misfortune and suffering, stating
that her sou, when six months Old was 8hlcted
with water the brain" This was io
lowed bv scarlet fever. later by smallpox,
Of Catarh hts, aud numerous aDscesSes Al 10 years o
age he fell a hve-sOry bdding and cue the Ddck
OF his head open 50 that the Dlan proruued' ne was
rescued after sinking three times; ne also hau Iau
from shot.tower. When Mr.. Mitchell asked with An
apology the time. OF what bis father died the
widow burst into violent ht OF weeping and said ne
committed suicide, while las grandmother died IN d
lunatic asylum. The prisoner The moment ths WORDS
were out and ne his mothers nnhapplness, threw
his head down in unmstakaole weeping sul moro hys-
terical ana prolonged.
At last the mother recovered TO resume her
and sefDed the intense NERVOUSNESS WHICH hld
her sons ndDncls and temperament ever
since he IRON army. Finally, the case was
gwen to the n.y. prisoners counsel dwelling par
tcnlarly upon these later proofs, and also upon Tue
FACT tDat the prisoner thought When ne mdfflbn inc
second time That already divorced from MS hrst
wife, The prisoner convicted, and sentence was
deferred uhtll tins morning.