Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1882-07-12
A Very Much Married Man.

William Johnson was arrested Monday
afternoon OH Baltimorestreet, on the charge
of bigamy, and was committed for 4 hearing
yesterday. Johnson is about 80 years of
age, and resides on Eden street, near Pratt.
Some time ago Mrs. Elizabeth Johnson, who
claims to be wife No. /, and resides at Can
ton, came to Marshal Gray and stated that
her husband had married another woman.
and she desired to have him arrested John
son was seen by Detective Freeburger yes
terday on Baltimore street. The detective
followed him down as far as Harrison street
when with Detective Droste, he arrested
him. Johnson, upon seeing Detective Drostc
lowered a silk umbrella with which he was
shading the sun, in such 4 manner rs to
conceal his features, but without success. as
he was at once taken into custody. John
son is said to have married his first wife in
Pennsylvania about ten years ago. \ few
i years ago he removed to Baltimore He
has children living by his first wife The
wife is about 80 years Of age. Some months
before Christmas Johnson, who had engaged
| board on Eden street, began paying his add
dresses to Miss Bertha Trehell, living on
Ridgely street, near Cross. lie married her.
1t is charged, on January 49, 1882 and has
| one child by her. He is said to have diyi-
ded his time and attention between both
wives and his boarding place up to last
March, when he began, they say, to look
around for another female upon
whom to smile with his deep
and cosmopolitan love. He succeeded in captnr-
| ing young lady of respectable family living in
East Baltimore, To whom he began paving his ad-
dresses, and with such success that the pair be.
CAME engaged, and the wedding fixed for ycstcr.
! day. johnson gave his fancec directions to order
set OF furniture at well-kn0wn furniture
house, as he said he intended renting and furnish
| ing house The house had been selected and
was handsome residence in East Baltimore. The
| house was occupied at the time selected and or
ders had been given for the tenants to move out
The young lady contidcd in what johnson told
her, and selected the furniture desired by john
son, and informed him of the fact. Johnson few
days ago postponed the marriage for Il week own
ing. he sad to the fact that the tenants had not
| left the house in time The young lady agreed
and now is no doubt delighted at having done so,
! and thus escaped marrying a bigamst and making
him trigamiSt. 1t is now thought that Johnson
merely looked at the house, but said nothing to
the owner about renting the house. and that was
! the reason the tenant did not move out in time
The reason why Johnson did. keep to the origi-
nal date selected for the marriage is ascribcd to
the fact that he must have gotten wind of the ac-
ton Of his first wife in giving information to the
police and asking for his and was afraid of the
consequences attending his act Johnson, who is
charged with the above bgamous action, is about
80 years of age, and of tolcrably fine appearance
When arrested he was well dressed. had on Il broad
brim, stylish straw hat, and carried a silk nm
brcla.-B baltimore imfrican
The American of to-day says: "Wm johnson,
who was arrested Monday afternoon on the charge
OF bigamy had a hearing before Justice Fitzhugh
yesterday afternoon. There were present at the
hearing Elizabeth Johnson wife No l. and Bertha
Tribell, wife No. ?, together with number of
COUSINS aunts and other relatives of both wives,
Mrs. Johnson, who is about 30 years of age testi-
fled to having been married to johnson on July
u, 1872 in Shickshinny, Luzerne county, Pa.
She removed with him several years ago to Balti-
more and has horne him three children. On Jan
uary Ii, 1882 her husband was married to Miss
Bertha Tribell by Rev. George Scholl. of the
Second English Lutheran Church. Miss Tribell
testified to having been married to Johnson, but
that she has seen him but seldom since their mar
| rage The young lady mentioned as being en-
gagged to Johnson and whose wedding was ar
ranged to take place yesterday was not present
ut the hearing. She is an excellent young lady.
and considers herself lucky in escaping such a
Mormon as Johnson turned out to be- Johnson 3
made no defence and was committed for the action
OF the Criminal Court. The accused has been for
some years captain of canal boat, but to Judge by
his appearance and manners, one would imagine
he was captain Of a -of-war. He bore his try.
ing position when confronted by his two wives
yesterday with delightful coolness and his check
was refreshing"