Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1878-01-22
A MUCH Married Female.

d N"eotN'
A most singular case OF matrimonial
complication, which reminds us oil the
Scriplural conundrum propounded by the
Sadducees respecting the future condition
Of the woman who had seven husbands,
has transpired in Connecticut-where a
female. after similar experience, has
been LETT dependent upon public charity.
The legal complexities as 10 domlcile en-
suing IRON the doubtful validity OF some
of her matrimonial ventures would delight
Wilkie Collins, and might form the basis
OF a novel more thrilling, more eventtul,
and more utterly incomprehensiblet TO the
reader than an Ything in the range OF legal
romance. Pattie PAMELA Anlhony-only
that there seems 10 be degree oil uncer-
tainty about the Anthony-in 1886, at the
aye of fourteen, married William Bly,.
William seems 10 have been man oil
tickle temperament. lor he abandoned his
bride three days after marriage. A few
weeks afterwards she heard OF his death,
ard the following year she married David
l.. Rogers. But the news OF Bly's death
was false, for six months alter her second
marriage he reappeared, and could only
bo induced TO rsnounce his martial claims
in consideration OF So and silver watch.
Then Rogers went 10 sea, and according
to report was hanged as pirate. leaving
the WAY clear for marriage between his
supposed widow and Frederick A. Wheel
err. A second Enoch Arden case resulted.
Rogers had not been hanged as pirate,
or hanged at all, but instead OF behaving
in the gentlemanly and considerable man
ner OF Tennyson's hero and concealing
his identity until his death. or even being
willing TO compromise at reasonable
figure like his predecessor. he insisted on
claiming PATHS PAMELA, and Wheeler
had to resign. Rogers appears to have
| been the most persistent husband OF the
| lot. for he lived with his wife eight years
after this little episode. dying for good
| in lS49. The widow lost no time in ind
ing another partner, marrying early In
the following year Henry Myers. From
him and her succeeding husbands she was
divorced. The last on the list was En-
anuel Anthony, OF Hartford, who consid-
cred that formality unnecessary, dlssolv-
ing the contract after six months OF wed
ded bliss by the simple eXpedient OF alb
sconding. Aud now PATHS Pamela, 81
the mature age Of fiity-six, being lett
without visible means OF support, wants
10 know where she belongs and what
town is responsible for her maintenance.
The town OF Coventry, to whom she
applies. seeks TO shift the burden on Man
chester. on the ground that her thirC
husband Wheeler, is now living there
Il is claimed that the Rogers marriage i:
void, as being contracted during the lille
time of Bly,, but that AS Bly, died before thu
Wheeler marriage that is legal. On The
part Of Manchester. it is contended tina
the Bly, che married was not dead before
the Wheeler union. but that the Biz tha
the plaintiffs have in view who did die
that time WAS another man, and that con
sequently she was not legally married t
Whseler. Furthermore, the Wheele
marriage, sag the Coventry people.
void in any case under Connecticut law
because 81 The time when Wheeler mar
ried her, OF rather did not marry her
his father was married 10 her sister
whereby, IL he had married her, he woul'
have been marryiu- his mo,her-in-lew
siS.er. This j. e,l We know Of tho cas-
al present, but there is no reason , up
pose that it will stop here. We are anx
, lousy awaiting the answer OF Manches
ter 10 these allegations, when 1t vii
doubtless be developed that the man vht
married the sister of Mrs. Wheeler
she was Mrs. Wheeler-was not Mr.
Wheeler, Senr., but another Wheeler
and that even had he done so the mar
rige was void inasmuch as no father cal
be permitted by law 10 become q STE
uncle 10 his own son. The possibilitle
are far from being exhausted. How d.
We know that Rogers the alleged pirate
: was not dead in the eye OF the law. which
would OF course invalidate his subsequen
: proceedings and render the marrisg
with Wheeler valid irrespective OF tn
claims Of Mr.. BY Then again BLY, sol
T, ont in consideration OF silver watch an
: -. Was that watch silver? Is there n
possibility that the money was counter
le;to The oEuS pr0JaEdL in The cas-
would seem 10 be with Manchester in ID
attempt 10 give color TO the Rogers union
On the other hand. an astute counsel o.
behalf OF Coventry might urge with muc
plausibility the applicability OF the max
i'm Of caucqt emptO., as presuming du
and reasonable circumspection in such
transaction and rendering its cousumma
ton unimpeachsble on the ground c
fraud The opportunities for brillian
forensic display are simply endless an
the complexities very far from being OK
hsusted by the few suggestions we hav
thrown cut. Tho lawyers are sure t
resp harvest ou; of it. and in the mean
time we hope that the woman will nc
DO allowed 10 starve while the differen
towns and villages where she had hus
bands are fighting over the question o
where she doesn't belong.-B0S!0D TTdl
eiler.
T .ko.n 49,, n hint CO.. procfico