The Baltimore County union. [volume] (Towsontown, Md.) 1865-1909, 1878-03-30
ARREST OF JonS REESE ON THE CHARGE OF Big.

ARREST OF JOHN REESE ON THE CHARGE OF BIG
AMY.-As briefly stated in these columns last week,
John Reese, the son of respectable farmer of
Long Green Valley, was arrested on the 21st in
slant on the charge of bigamy, he having, as al
leged one wife in Indiana when he contracted an
other marriage with Miss Keiffer of Long Green.
The Baltimore Gazette has taken the pains to
gather considerable information bearing on the
case, from which we publish some extracts as fol-
lows
"The presentment was made upon the oath Of
Mr.. D. b. Keiifer, of Long Green, and charges
that Reese married his daughter, having at the
time wife living in Indiana. Edward II. Keif-
fer his son, and Andrew Tarbert, who witnessed
the marriage ceremony of the accused with Miss
keiifer; William Thompson, of Waters Cross
roads, Hartford county, who has knowledge Of
the facts of Reeses first marriage, together with
Edward and Thomas Reese, father and brother of
the accused, have been summoned as witnesses.
The farms of the Reese and Keiffer families are
contiguous to each other in Long Green, and the
arrest has excited the iveiest interest among
ldents of that vicinity. The accused is the of
Edward Reese, a well-known farmer, whose prop
erty adjOins the estate of Lambert Cuttings. He
is about rs years of age. Some four years ago,
in company with several other young men of Bal
timore and Hartford counties, he went west and To-
Gated in Indiana. He was absent about two years
and a-half, part of which time nothing whatever
was heard from him. Eighteen months ago he
suddenly and Unexpectedly returned home. Be-
fore his departure for the west he was quite init
mate at Mr.. Kefer's house, and, it is said, at
tachment existed between him and the latters
daughter.
Miss Keiffcr was only seventeen years of age,
however, and her affection for Reese regarded
as only girlish love. When Reese returned
home their intimacy was at once renewed. He
made proposals, was accepted, and short time
| subsequently the marriage quietly solemnized
1
For two weeks there seemed to be nothing likely
to disturb the happiness of the honeymoon. In
the meantime, however, Thompson, who had ac-
cOmpanied Reese to Indiana, and of whose where
abouts Reese had been in ignorance for some time,
ii7gtrrned to his home in Hartford county. Itseems
he had loaned the necessary money to Reese to
make preparations for his marriage in Indiana,
and kenw that his wife still living. He was
astounded to learn of the marriage of Miss Keif-
fer, and went directly to Reese on the subject
Reese pretended that he was not married to the
woman in Indiana, and begged Thompson to say
nothing about that matter, as he desired that ii
should be forgotten. Thompson did not promise
to keep quiet, but said if Reese would pay him
what he owed him he would think about it. Reese
was either unwilling or unable to do this, and
cordingly Thompson went to Mr.. Keiffer and told
him all about Mrs. Reese, of Indiana. Mr.. Keif-
Der, after expressing his indignation, rode to the
nearest magistrates, where he swore out warrant
for the arrest of Reese. The latter had howev err
learned of his errand, and fed the county, some
| say to Pennsylvania but he himself declared to
| Colorado where he has been ever since. Reese
| again returned to Long Green last Monday, and
Mr.. Keiffer, being made aware of his presence
came to Towsontown, and swore out a States war
| rant for his arrest before Justice Miller. 1t was
| placed in the hands of officer Brown, who rode
over to Long Green, and found that Reese expect
ed him, and Immediately offered his brother as Sc
curity for his appearance. He said he intended
to remain now and fight the thing out, as he was
sure that they could prove nothing on him. OFF,
Ger Brown took him before Justice John W. Bur-
| ton, of the 18th district, and there he waived an
examination and offered to give the necessary
bail, with ThOs. Reese at surety. Officer Brown
suggested that as the charge serious one the
bail should be at least 81 900, but Justice Burton
fixed it at only $500. When this was reported tC
| Mr.. Keiffer he was not satisfied, and he at once
laid the facts before States Attorney Jervis Spen
GER The latter brought the matter to the atten-
ton of the grand jury, who made the presentment
as above stated and ordered the tissue of the bench
warrant. Mr.. Spencer says that Thompson car
furnish all the evidence necessary to establish the
first marriage, but record proof of it will be OBJ
tanned, and if possible Mrs. Reese No. l will be
brought to Towsontown when the case comes tC
| trial, there to confront the accused"
" n l.. l. Al. a..