Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1886-07-17
A SENSATION
CAUSED BY TIE ARREST OF sTPRRINfEN-
DENIPHELPS FOR BIGAxf.
A Chicago Detective ftacks Him Dowa-Rs III
Deserted His Wifs in hssaeAzssds aal nuPA
With Ssrvani-Procsrins Ssga Di-
yurce-fhs Detectives Strange Stxy.

PouGHKEErsIE, n. Y, July 16.-Detec-
tive Hartman, of Chicago, yesterday en-
tered the office of John w. Phelps, Super
intendent Of the Fishkill Landing and
Mattewan Water Works, at Fskkill Land
ing, and arrested him on the charge Of
bigamy. The detective says that in 1876
John W. Phelps was resident Of Spring
field, Mass, and President Of . rail-
road running through that place. In
1855 he married Helen +. Clark at
Northampton, and in 1876 they were hv-
ing in one of the finest places in Spring.
field, worth $50, 900 or 800, 600. They had
a sewing girl named Fanny Thayer, and
Phelps, becoming infatuated with her,
went away with her 10 Paris, remaining
there two years. While there he sent for
his wife, to effect, if possible, reconcilia.
ton. They met in Liverpool. She re-
turned to America without him, but he
followed soon after and went TO Spring
field. In the meantime child had been
born to him by Fanny Thayer in Paris.
SENSATIONAL scENE IN COURT.
Phelps lived with his wife long enough
TO get her to sign away the Springfield
home, and then went OF again and joined
Miss Thayer, the two going to Maryland,
where Phelps and his father, Willis Phelps,
were building railroad. Unknown To
his wife he brought divorce suit, and got
decree. His wife, learning the fact,
procured counsel, aud in January, lsS2,
the divorce obtained was set aside on the
ground of perjury, conspiracy and
fraud. Phelps had gone 10
ST. Paul, Mimi, with Fanny Thayer.
where he married her, and then went with
her TO Washington; where they learned
that the divorce had been set aside. They
at once started for Canton, Dakota, and
Phelps there started another divorce pro-
ceeding The suit came up, no defense
being expected. At the opening Of tho
court, however, Judge Mart Bangs, former
" United States District Attorney, got up
and told the court that he represented
Helen T.. Phelps and was ready for trial.
This was a bomb-shell, and at once the
caslpn the part Of Phelps was adjourned
and has not come up since.
Two months ago the legal wife Of Phelps
accidentally met him in Fourteenth Strect,
New York, and attempted 20 follow him,
but losing track Of him she sent for Dctec-
tive Hartman. The detective learned that
he was Superintendent Of tho MattswAn
and Fishkill Landing Water Works, aud
the arrest followed.
NO MONEY FOR WIPE NO .
Mr.. Phelps is a quiet, gentlcmanly man
and very attentive to business. His alleged
wife, Fanny Thayer, is o young and hand
some woman. Phelps has q son by wifa
No. who has just been graduated from
Yale College and is now boarding nj tho
Mount Guilian House, Fishkiu Landing.
The father Of the accused man died at
Springfield, Mass, two years ago and lcit
q will giving his son Henry, who In %
wealthy resident of Minnesota, $3.50, 600
out and out, and 10 John W. the same
amount In trust--the estate being valued
at $500, 000-|and the will further states
that under no consideration shall any part
of the money go 10 Fanny Thayer. Tho
document Is now being contested In tba
Massachusetts, courts.
THE PRISONER TAKEN WET.
The prisoner was takoa " the Sherif-s
Office in Poughkeopsie, and Judge Gusrn-
sey, Of the County Court, was sent for, n
whom the detective showed a requisition
from Governor l.. r. Hubbard, Of Mime
sofa. Then Phelps showed certificate Of
his marriage with Fannie Thayer In jersey
City, on June 3, 1876, and paper certify
ing that on July 20, 1881, hs was grsutsd
decree Of divorce nom his wife, Helen Y.
Phelps, in Cas- county, Oak. Tic ws will
ing to acknowledge his identity ~ tho man
wanted. After Judge Guernsey decided
TO deliver Phelps 10 the detective, Phelps
and the latter had n talk In which The
prisoner hoped he would not b. handcuhf-
ed. The officer told him be would extend
any reasonable kindness II he would not
abuse the lenieney shown. Officer and
prisoner started fdr the West on an evening"
train.