Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1883-09-19
UNIQUE DEFENCE IN A BIGAMY SUIT
Did Herman Heuer Sell His Wife For
$50!-C0nnicsing Ssories.
From the New York Tribune. l7th.

From the New York Tribune, l7th.
The case OF Otto Muhenbrink and hiC wife
Hermine, who were committed to the county
Jail In Long Island City last Saturday to await
examination on charge Of bigamy preferred by
Mrs. Muhlenbrinks former husband, Herman
heuer. Is attracting good deal of attention in
Long Island City The stories told BY the differ
ent persons are conflicting. Neither Mr.. or Mrs.
Muhlenbrnk can speak English. The woman
states that she married Heuer in Westphalia,
and had several children by him, three of whom
are living About four years ago Heuer came to
this country and went to Texas, where he en-.
gagged In the cattle business He correspondent
pretty regularly with his wife, but neglected to
provide either for her support or for that Of the
children. Eighteen months ago the then Mrs
Heuer determined to leave her native home and
come to America. She reached New York and.
upon learning how far she had to go to find her
husband: and being penniless. she determined to
stay In this city and earn her own livelihood until
her husband came to her. He did not appear to
be in any hurry to do so. and Mrs. Heuer got
| along without any trouble; she was in ract SO
successful. that she was able to send 800 every
month to Westphalia to pay for the support OF
her children.
cook at Meisers hotel at Rockaway, and while
! there became acquainted with a smart, active
young fellOw-cOuntryman named Otto Mullen
brink. He came from the same province as
Mrs. Heuer. Despite the disparity in their
ages-she being thirty-three and he scarcely
twenty-two-the pair fell desperately in love
with each other and determined. if the obstacle
OF the first husband could be overcome to
marry. According to their story they opened
negotiations with Heuer, and he finally agreed
to waive all his right and title to his wife for the
sum OF S5O The money was quickly produced,
papers were drawn W and signed by the prin-
clpals to this unique transaction, and on Wed
nesday last the strangely-matched couple were
made one at Newark. Their honeymoon, how
ever, was of brief duration. as on Saturday thew
were arrested on charge of bigamy preferred
by Heuer. who processes to be furious at what
he terms his wife's duplicty
The story told by the original husband Of the
present Mrs. Muhenbrink differs greatly from
that told by his erstwhile better half. He saws
that he provided for her support and that OF
their children until nearly two years ago, when
and abandoned her children. He did not hear
OF her again until few weeks ago, when a
friend met him at Cincinnati and told him that
his wife was in New York city, living with
another man. He at once started for this city,
and soon succeeded in learning of his wife'a
whereabouts. He at once caused her arrest,
He denies that he sold her to young Mullen
brink, and exhibited great anxiety at the hear
ing before the justice to have the young man
punished He was heard to mutter with great
vehemence. as he paced before the Justices court
awaiting the opening of the court: ooh If had
him down in Texas would not wait for the law;
Il d settle this business another way"
The examination Of the case is set down for
Wednesday. when some interesting develop
ments are expected. The accused pair assert
that they will produce the agreement signed BY
Heuer by which he consigned his w1fe's affec-
tons to young Muhlenbrink for considers
ton.