The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1879-02-19
COLENIAN'S WIVES,
Unhappy Conclusion OF q Romantic Mar
ri0De Behind the Bars. o>s
Washington Republican,

Washington Republican,.
It is scarcely reasonable to suppose that =
man, while confined in prison, serving out a
sentence for violation of the law, would de-
liberately commit another crime having for its
effect similar punishment, only the penalty
being more severe. But from evidence recently
come to light it is evident that such a case
exists, and that the offender entertained neither
fear nor dread of the law when concentrating
his willingness. On the 18th inst. John B.
Coleman, well-dressed and good-looking
colored man, hailing from Cincinnati, O., was
convicted in the criminal court Of uttering q
forged order on Col. Charles NJ. Alexander for
the balance of wages due woman named
Carter, who had been performing services in
his family. His counsel represented that he
was man of most excellent reputation, and
that instead of being the principal in the Of
tense was the victim of others. Justice Wylie,
accepting these statements as true, was lenient
IN imposing sentence, and sent him to the
Albany penitentiary for one year.
It seems that before the trial he had been
paying attention. to Miss Alice F. Bradley, of
New Athens, O., and matters had progressed to
a betrothal While waiting in Jail to be trans
ferred to Albany. Miss Bradley gave evidence
of constancy by consenting that the marriage
ceremony should be performed ere her lovers
departure. A license was procured on Thurs
day, Jan. %, and Sunday last, accompanied by
her mother, she proceeded to the Jail to have
the knot tied. There Rev. VIM. Gibbons, of
the Zion Baptist church, in the presence of
several witnesses, at o clock, did the work.
One hour was permitted the bride and groom
| for honeym0oning, and then ensued separa-
| tion-he to enter the penitentiary and she to
live and wait his release. The new-made wife
took in the situation very philosophically, re-
solving to make the best of it, and at the same
time try and secure his release by pardon.
This would all be very fine and proper could
the subsequent developments be left out OF
| the romance. b.
It seems that Coleman had been previously
married and was not free to wed again, although
in Jail. The records at the clerks Office show
that on Sept. l, 1874, a license to marry wa:
taken out in the names of John B. Coleman, o.
Cleveland, Ohio, and Amelia A. T. Hickman, o.
this city, and that on the same day the couple
were married at the Fifteenth Street church b!
Rev. George Van Dews.
On Sept. 4, 1878. Mrs. Amelia Ann Colema,
filed bill in equity for divorce from John B
Coleman on the ground of desertion and aban
donment. After reciting that they were mar
ried in 1874, she stated that they lived togethe
until February, 1875, when he deserted her AM
their child. This suit is now pending and ha
been referred to Examiner Browning to tax
testimony and he has fixed the hearing flo
Monday next. .-.,.
It is reported that these are not all the maj
riages that Coleman has contracted and tina
, search might reveal that more wives exist tina
either Misses Hickman or Bradley had any ide
of. From the deliberate manner he entere
into the recent marriage 1t is not difficult
suppose that Coleman has much claim to tt
:, excellent reputation given him before the cour
He is not likely to be pardoned, and if |
should, he will be compelled to stand trial Fl
!, bigamy, with the evidence of his guilt positi'
against him and another trip to the penite
! tiary certain. .- s-5-