Daily globe., 1879-02-16
COLENI ANS WIVES.
Unhappy Conclusion of a. Romantic Mar.
7'i0Oe Behind the Bars
WASHINGTON RenuhIican


a'saOe Behind the Bars.
Washington Republican
1t is scarcely reasonable to suppose that a
man, while confined in prison, serving out a
sentence for violation of the law, would de-
iberately commit another crime having for its
effect similar punishment, only the penalty
being more severe. But from evidence recentlv
come to light it is evident that such case
exists, and that the offender entertained neither
fear nor dread of the law when consummatino
his Willingness. On the 18th inst. John B.
Coleman, a well-dressed and good.lookinp
colored man, hailing from Cincinnati O.. was
convicted in the criminal court of uttering a
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 Wvlie.
accepting these statements as true was lenient
IN imposing sentence, and sent him to the
Albany penitentiary for one year.
1t seems that before the trial he had bean
paying attention, to Miss Alice F. Bradley. of
New Athens, O., and matters had progressed to
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
oSP"i ouAo. n 1lCense was procured on Thurs
day, Jan. 23, and Sunday last, accompanied bv
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 honeymooning, and then ensued a separa-
tlon-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 q pardon-
This would all be very fine and proper could
the subsequent developments be left out of
the romance.
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 was
taken out IN the names of John B. Coleman. of
Cleveland, Ohio, aud Amelia A. T. Hickman of
THIS city, and that on the same day the couple
were we married n at the Fifteenth Street church by
Rev. George Van Dews.
On Sept. 4, 1878, Mrs. Amelia Ann Coleman
NED II bill In equity for divorce from John B.
coleman on the ground of desertion and aban-
donment. After reciting that they were mar
11ed i IN 1874 she stated that they lived together
until February, 1876 when he deserted her and
their child. This suit is now pending and hos
been referred to Examiner Browning tn taIs
testimony, and he has fixed the hearing for
Monday next. -'A
1t Is reported that these are not all the mar
rlages that Coleman has contracted, and that
search might reveal that more wives exist thar
either Misses Hickman or Bradley had any idea
or: From the deliberate manner he entered
INTO the recent marriage 1t is not difficult to
suppose that Coleman has much claim to the
excellent reputation given him before the court.
he is not likely to be pardoned, and if he
should, he will be compelled to stand trial for
blgamy, with the evidence of his guilt positive
tiary certain. P