The Democratic advocate., 1889-07-06
A SOUTHERN BELLIES FREAK.
She Married Two SuifOrs and Will be
Tried for Bigamy.

COLUMBIA, S. c., July 2.-The summer
term of the Court of General Session has
begun and during its progress will be tried
highly sensational case, the facts of which
have been already briefly reported. Mrs. DR..
d. C. Atkinson, who is generally called Miss
Florence Little, and sometimes Mrs. August
Mintz will be tried for bigamy. Mrs Atkin-
son is exceedingly handsome and refined
young lady of 10, and is member OF one OF
the most respected families of York county.
Two years ago, after her education was com
pleted, Miss Little, which was then her name
whatever it may now be, went to live with an
aunt in the town of Blocks. She is an orphan.
She very soon became the belle of that little
place. and the fame of her beauty quickly
spread to other towns in the vicinity. One of
her most devoted admirers, and the one to
whom she seemed most favorably disposed,
was Augustus Mintz, a youth about her own
age. He fell in love with her and became
secretly engaged. In the meantime, how
over, DIR. ID. c. Atkinson, prominent and
good looking young man of considerable
means from Chester ). c., had met Miss
Little and it had proved with him Il case of
love at first sight. He soon felt himself sutfi-
ciently encouraged to ask for her hand, and
he, also was promptly accepted.
After several postpOnements the marriage
with DR.. Atkinson was definitely fixed for
April /, 1888. On the evening of March 81,
the day before she was to be married to DIR.
Atkinson, Miss Little went to drive with
Young Mint, who knew nothing of his be-
trothaV second engagement. They remained
out for several hours and darkness overlook
them on the way home. When passing the
house of country preacher, MIntz begged
Miss Little to marry him Their and there.
She finally consented to be married on con-
Il IL. h., t,.NA n
secret for three years, and that he would not
claim her as wife during that time. Mintz
agreed to these terms. fhe marriage took
place and they returned home.
Bat during the absence Of Mrs. Miniz an
accident had happened. DIR. Atkinson had
come to be married aud finding his intended
wife absent after dark with q man whom he
had regarded as his ival, he became exceed
inely angry. declared the marriage aud en-
gagemeut -'of and returned to his home
without seeing Miss Little When the young
lady heard Of this she Immediately wrote to
DIR. Atkinson, begging him 10 return aud re-
ceiye an explanation. He did so and they
we're married aad lived together two weeks.
The lady then confessed her marriage to
Miatz. and the doctor sent her TO her relatives.
The Young lady finally returned to DR.. Akin
son. and they lived together ia Chester until
hve months ago, when they moved to the
town of Yorkyiile, aud have been living there
. ever since. \ month ago Mss. Atkinson vas
arrested on a charge Of bigamy, bat was re-
leased on bail, The prosecution IS being
pressed by J.. c. Miutz, the father Of Angus
ius. He has engaged able attorneys TO assist
the States solicitor. The crime OF bigamY is
punished in this State BY Imprisonment in the
peui,eutiary a, hard Labor. and there Is no
alternative.
{ The general opinion, however, IS that she
/ vii be acquitted.