The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1883-01-05
An Alleged Bigami.t I'm Trouble.

A case which Is involved In some mys-
terry, and which may develop into some
thing OF the tragic, VIII be called I'm the
Police Court this morning. Connected
with II Is rather strange story, which
runs somewhat as follows: About the 1st
OF last October a white woman who gave
the name OF Mrs. Trava appeared Mt the
Office Of u prominent physician OF this city
and sought his good offices In her behalf.
She stated her husband had deserted her
by running of with another wcman, loay-
ing her without the means OF support for
herself and three children--two girls and
boy. At her request the physician had
the boy sent 10 the Male Orphan Asylum.
and gave her note to the officers OF the
Female Humane Association, requesting
them TO take one OF the girls. I'm this,
however, she failed. The physician heard
nothing more OF the matter until the night
OF the Jth OF November Sunday follow
ing, when be was called from the First
PRESBYTERIAN church TO see man who
announced himself as Mr.. Trava. lie
stated that he had Just returned to the city,
and having heard OF the disposition made
OF his son during his absence. came to re-
claim him. Upon being told Of the alleged
circumstances OF his leaving the city, he
laughed at the idea, and denied having
seen the girl since he left. He said that,
losing his situation here THAT OF street.
car driyer), he went to New York and OBJ
tained similar situation there, and that
he had returned for the purpose OF
taking his family to that place. The
physician, however, refused TO release the
child unless its mother consented to IL.
The next day Traya. accompanied by his
wife. appeared at the physicians office,
and upon their Joint request the child was
returned to them. There the case rested
until about two weeks ago, when the ply
sician was informed that Mrs. Traya was
dead, and that Trava and the other woman
alluded TO above were living n0ar Cold
Harbor as man and wife. He set
to work and found out that Traya
and the woman, who had been q
servant in the family OF a well-known
gentleman OF this city, left here for the
North about the same time, and that upon
their return, some weeks later, the man
went to his home and the woman obtained
employment in the family OF another gem
tleman. The wife dying shortly after, the
two went to Hanover county together. lie
also learned that physician was called
to see Mrs. Trava during her sickness,
who pronounced the malady pneu-
monia and prescribed accordingly.
Returning the next day. he found
that the remedies ordered had not been
used. He made another visit the next day
and found the woman dead. The usual
certificate necessary for an interment here
was issued, but instead the body was taken
to Bermuda Hundred without the consent
Of the Board of Health. The matter Icing
deemed Of sufficient OF importance the
facts were laid before the Mayor, and the
result OF that officials action was the issll-
ing on last Sunday by Justice Watts
Of warrant for the arrest OF George
NJ. Traya, charging him with having
committed bigamy. The warrant was
placed in tine hands OF Policeman
Depriest, who found Trava in Pc
tersburg. and with him alleged wife
No. 9 and the three children OF his first
wife. The accused was brought to Rich
mond, and on Tuesday was taken before
the Police Court, but the case was con-
tinued until to-day in order that the cir
cumstances above alluded TO might be in
quired into.
Trava, it Il said, was q Federal soldier,
and was married during the late war. lie
has been living I'm Richmond for several
years, being employed most OF the time as
q street-car driver. 1t Is further stated
that Trava said to the officer that he was
willing to plead guilty to the charge OF
bigamy. Officer Dcpriest will 90 TO Balti-
more to obtain proofs OF the second mar
riage of Trava.