The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-07-17
MODEL
CHARGED WITH B1GAMY.
4 Prominent Citizen of Fishkill. N. Y, Under
Arrest for Having Too Many Wives.

PoUeHKEEPsIE, July 16.-Detectiye Hartman,
Df Chicago, yesterday entered the Office of John
W. Phelps superintendent of the Fishkill Land
Ing and Mattewan water-works. at Fishkill
Landing, and arrested him on the charge of
higamy The detective says that in 1876 John
w, Phelps was resident of Springfield, Mass.
and president of railroad running through that
place. In 1865 he married Helen E. Clark at
Northampton, and in 1876 they were living in
one OF the finest places in Springfield, worth
$4,000 or. 100000. They had sewing girl
named Fanny Thayer, and Phelps. becoming in
fatuated with her, went away with her to Paris.
remaining there two years. While there he sent
for his wife, to effect, if possible, a reconcia-
tion They met in Liverpool. She returned to
America without him, but he followed soon
after and went back to Springfield In
the meantime child had been born to him
Oy Fanny Thayer in Paris. Phelps lived
with his wife long enough to get her
TO sign away the Springfield home and then
went off again and joined Miss Thayer, the two
going to Maryland, where Phelps and his father,
Willis Phelps, were building railroad. Unbe-
known to his wife, he brought divorce suit and
was given decree His wife, learning the fact
procured counsel, and in January, 1882, the di-
vorce obtained was set aside on the ground of
perjury, conspiracy and fraud. Phelps next
went to St. Paul, Mimi, with Fanny Thayer,
and married her and went with her to Washing
: ton, where they learned that the divorce had
been set aside. They at once started for Can
ton. D. t.. and Phelps started another divorce
proceeding The suit came up, no defense being
expected. At the opening Of the court however,
Judge Mart Bangs, formerly United States dis
erict attorney. got up and told the court that he
represented Helen E. Phelps, who was the legal
wife of John w. Phelps, and was ready for the
trial. This was bomb she'll and at once the
case on the part of Phelps was adjourned and
has not come up since. Two months ago the le-
gai wife of Phelps accidentally met him in Four
teenth street, New York, and attempted to fol-
low him, but losing track of him, she sent
for Detective Hartman. The detective learned
4hat he was uperintendent of the Mattewan
end Fishkill Landing water works, and the ar
xest followed Mr. Phelps is quiet, gentle
manly man, and very attentive to business His
alleged wife, Fanny Thayer, is a young and
handsome woman. Phelps has son by wife
No. !, who has just been graduated from Yale
College, and is now boarding atthe Mount Gull
ian House. Fisbkill Landing. The father of the
accused man died at Springfield, Mass, two
years ago. and left will giving his son Henry
who is wealthy resident of Minnesota $250, 900
out and out. and to John w. the same amount,
In trust the estate being valued over $500, 900;
and the will further states that under no consid-
Grafton shall any part of the money go to Fanny
Thayer. The documents now being contested
In the Massachusetts courts The prisoner was
taken to the sheriff's Office in Poughkeepsie and
Judge Guernsey, of the county court, was sent
for, to whom the detective showed requisition
from Governor Hubbard. of Minnesota. Then
Phelps showed certificate of his marriage with
Fanny Thayer in Jersey City, in June, 1885,
and paper certifying that on July 20, 1884, he
was granted decree of divorce from his wife,
Belen E. Phelps in Cass county, Dakota He
was willing to acknowledge his identity as the
man wanted. After Judge Guernsey decided to
deliver Phelps to the detective, Phelps and the
latter had talk, in whish the prisoner hoped
ae would not be handcuffed. The officer told
him he would extend any reasonable kindness if
he would not abuse the leniency shown The
Dficer and the prisoner started for the West on
Ehe evening train.