The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-01-09
A MuCH-MARRIED MAN.
Not Yet % Years Old and Charged
With Having Four Wives.

Not Yet % Years Old and Charged
With Having Four Wives.
ATLANTA, Ga, Jan. S.-Benjamin Bur
ton, whose Imprisonment on the charge OF
having four wives and four living mothers
in-law has already been announced, still
denies the charge, but the evidence accu-
mulates against him. Three years ago
Burton came to Atlanta, and in short
time secured work in the sanitary depart
ment. He soon found favor with the
sanitary inspector. He was ambitious
and secured a position in the fire depart
ment. lie is quite good looking young
man, with sufficient education 10 make his
way in the world, and rapidly found
friends. Burton's appearance made him
a favorite also with the ladies, and on the
! 10th Of August last he was married TO Miss
| Della Wilson, OF this city. Ills bride was
handsome and well connected, but a cloud
came. over their happiness. Yesterday
morning, a comely, good looking brunette
appeared at police headquarters and asked
for CHIEF OF Police Connolly. The chief
was in, and in short time was listening
10 an interesting recital from the lady who
The lady informed the chief OF police
that her home was at Homer, in Banks
county, and that while she was living with
her parents she had met q young man
named Benjamin Burton, 10 whom she had
been married. Subsequent 10 her marriage
Burton had deserted her, and she had as
certained that he had another wife. She
gave him up, and few months ago came
TO Atlanta 10 make living for herself and
child. Soon after she came 20 Atlanta she
met Burton, not knowing that he was in
the city.
The meeting was n great surprise TO
both, but especially 10 Burton, who said:
81 am doing well here, and II you give me
away I'll lose my job"
81 have nothing TO give away" answered
Mrs. Burton, "Pm done with you"
They parted, the man 10 60 on with his
work and the woman 20 follow hers. A
few days ago, however, the lady ascer-
tanned for the first time that Burton had
married in Atlanta. When the prisoner
reached the city prison and was confronted
with the Charge Of bigamy, he manifested
great surprise and denied Il emphatically.
However, lac was given berth in the cell,
and In n short time was confronted by the
complainant, who apparently recognized
him at n glance. The prisoner, on the
contrary, did not appear 10 know the wom-
an and asked her name. Without any
hesitation she informed him that she was
his wife, and that previous 10 her marriage
she was Lizzie Kirkley, OF Homer, Ga.
This information appeared 10 be entirely
new 10 the prisoner, but his accuscr went
further and told him thathe had fiNt mar.
ricd Miss Lula Robertson, Of South Caro-
lima. Then he had married the complain.
ant and after leaving her had gone back 10
South Carolina, where he had married
Miss Lula Kull, whom he deserted when
hc came 10 Atlanta.
Today Burton said, speaking of the
Banks county wife: Before God, | never
saw the woman until yesterday. Last
night there was n man here who said lac
knew the woman from Homer, and that
she i no other than the wife OF John
Coffee, who killed Merritt some time ago
near gainesville. IL was something about
the woman that led 90 the difficulty. You
see. she has been spotted already"
kilograms have been sent 10 secure the
presence Of the two South Carolina ladies
who are also said 10 have borne the marital
relation 10 Burton. Burton Is not yc,
twenty-five years Of age Ills Atlanta
wife and her relatives are clinging 10 him
closely.