New-York tribune., 1886-08-06
Nv PHELPS'S TWO WIVES.
HOW HE WAS ARRESTED FOR BIGAMY.

HIS TROUBLE WITH 40. l AND TIE TROUBLE SHE
HAS MADE FOR EIv.
John w. Phelps. the wealthy superintendent OF
the FIshkIl Landing and Matteawan Water
the statement of his first wife, who
brought the charge, was made pubic. lier
statement was that they were marlcd at Norm
ampton, Mass. In 1861 aud thal some wears later
he G oped with Young woman named Fanny
Tnayer and lived in Pans two ear~, after which
he returned to this country and without the hrst
wIfcs knowledge obtained divorce from her ID
Fargo, Dakota. She learned tins in 1852 and went went
ground of perjury, conspiracy and fraud
paelDsa went Miss st. ba1er rau sinea a%e hen
ha'irs the first wife had followed him up bound, as
she sa d, to get her rights ana two months ago put
the case in the hands OF Detective A. L. hartman,
of Chicago. who got "a requisition and maze tDo
arrest. M
70 his position are that he married as ms
OF a tcamstcr known as Wicked John.' Her
name as Helen l.. Clarke and she is about lot'l-
five years old They had one son now S,uGe
unhappy the wife developing an N, ung' riaJ 70
temper, and after ten wears Mr. Phe Pi ur'ca ut uf
his Wife would not consent to tins unless she
received large sum of money. more .nau mea @ nTa o
band & could G gys 3 an% Sne wSs wsn Unwilling to accept
half ol her husbands property. MI fhelps onereu
terms of eitlement half dozen tImes out they
aU.4I
and meeting Miss Ihayer they went to Paris. where
fhev remained SIX months. The son cung to ms
father all the time. Whcn Mr. rhelps returned hat'a
a bona hde resident, buying real estate and build
ING several houses In the course OF time ne APP
plied for a divorce, the case coming before Judge
fimds1n. of the TINTED states Court. divorce
was granted on the testimony of five witnesses
He then went TO 1T. Paul. where he was married to
In the meantime his first wife had left Springfield.
their former home. Mr.. Phelps's father PAID ner
$1,000 to 60 away. She travelled n around hnr ,ne
last known residence of tue divorce proceedlngs
winch. however, she says, she. never
received Mr. Phelpss secoad wife is a
native of Norwich and well connected.
After bls marriage i'll 81. Panl Nh. Phelps came
East on impor ant business which kent nm here
Sin months. The first wife, hearing OF his depar,
ture, Immediately went TO Fargo There she trled ,
10 obtain the confidence OF Judge Hudson. she be-
came constant attendant at ms cnGrcr emu + Df
sads sad, persuade PERSUADED IN hm to set aside the
divorce. % a proceeding which Mr. Phepss friends
say was not warranted lhen she returned East
order TO avoid her continual threats Mr.
he lved for over TWO years But in 1854 the fist
vile followed hm there, accompanied oy de-
tective. Again Mr. Pheip was invited to paw a
large and again he refused. In 1891; on
the death of Mr.. Phepss father who LETT nm
over, 100000 in trust, he returned 10 10
the United states, where he mas lived @ eyer since, e.
the Massachusetts courts and Obtained an absolute
divorce. the courts awarding her Sl2OO year
alimony Mr. Phelps did not oppose the suit
Wishing TO put at les forever the question as 70
the legality of his marriage with his second wiie
he was Icnlarrled to her in 1855 n Jersey CITY.
Mr.. Phelps was arrested by detective Hartman
and conducted by HIM to st. Paul. On the way
there he was again asked to pay large sun o.
money to his first wife. and again he refused, but
insisted gong to ST. Paul 10 meet tne charge OF
blgamv. He gave bail, aDd as vet there has been
no indIctment found He saws that Hartman
boasted of how ne deceived the officials who gave
him the requisltoD for MIR. Phelps. and SAID he was
SO many questions