The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1890-07-21
VHDDHD ALL ALONE.
Petronella Benzi Asked for
a Warrant and Got q
Marriage Certificate.
SHE HAD A HUSBAND ALREADY
Also Two Chrildren in Poland---
The Justices Luminous
Explanation.
'HE HAD A HUSBAND ALREADY.


A curious story, illustrating the relia-
bility of the average interpreter, has just
come to light in this city. A young Polish
woman who was robbed of her clothing,
went before Justice Of the Peace re-
Gently to procure warrant for the arrest
Of the thief.
She was given paper, which to her
CONSERVATION she afterward discovered
was certificate OF marriage, marrying
her 70 one OF the men who accompanied
her to the Justices office.
In January last young woman named
Petronella Bsngi came to this country
from Poland where she left a.husband
and three children Her intention was
to seek employment here as a domestic.
ana while she was in the labor bureau at
Castle Garden she was approached by a
fellow W-countrywoman named OlschWen-
SKI, who said that she lived on Morgan
street. this city, and was In need Of q
domestic. She held out such induces
ments to Petronella chat she
gladly accompanied her to this
city. Petronella had good
wardrobe and considerable personal
property for an emigrant, which is said
to have aroused the cupidity of her mis-
tress and the women who boarded
in the house. She had been in
the house but short time when she was
arrested upon complaint of Mr.. Olsch-
wenkski, who charged her with stealing
a pair of corsets.
PETRoNELLA GOES TO JAIL.
She was committed to Jail and after be,
ing imprisoned some time was discharged
as there was not sufficient evidence to
bold her. When she returned to Mrs.
Olschwenski's house she found that
ner trunk had been rffied during
her absence and quantity of
clothing, together with two feather pill
lows OF superior quality, had been
stolen. Petronella then went to Justice
Davis and secured a warrant for the ar
rest of Mrs. Olschwenski on a charge of
stealing her things.
The woman was arrested and held to
bail. This part of the proceedings was a
deep mystery to Petronella. She could
not understand why she had to nnger In
jail and Mrs. Olschwenski be allowed to
go free, although the same proceedings
were taken against both.
She conceived the idea that she had not
been treated right, which idea was
strengthened by the conversations she
had with her friends upon the subject
Finally on July s. accompanied by Au-
gustus Amszeins and an INTERPRETER. sire
went before Justice Winfield s. Weed.
Petronella says that she was under the
impression that she was making another
complaint against Mrs Olschwenski.
W hen she LEFT she said she was given
paper. the contents of which and the prr-
pose of which she did not understand.
She took it, however, and was greatly
surprised afterward to find chat the docu-
ment was certificate setting forth
that she had been lawfully married to
Amszeins by the Justice. The poor young
woman became badly frightened and she
was afraid she had committed crime as
her husband and children were still
living In Poland. She declares that she
has not lived with Amszeins and'had no
intention of marrying him when she
went-to the Justices Office. She is well
nigh distracted, and as she has not the
money to apply to the Chancellor to have
the marriage set aside, she does not
know what she win do.
THO OTHER SIDE OF THE CASE.
Justice Weed remembered the circum-
stances'of the marriage distinctly when
called upon him in regard to the case
this morning. He said that the three Po-
landers came to his office on July 5.
The one who acted as interpreter spoke
very fair English. Amszetns could speak
it a little, but the woman could not pro-
nounoe word. The interpreter said that
the woman who was Petronella wished
to obtain al warrant for Mrs Olschwen-
skis arrest.
During the conversation it transpired
that Petronella and Augustus were liv-
ling together as man and wife. The JUS
| tice says he explained to them
| that that was crime in
this country and that they ought
| to get married. The interpreter replied
| that they were going 10 be married in
| few days The Justice then suggested
| that he had the authority to join people
| in marriage, and, after consultation.
PetrQnella and Augustus consented to be
married there, and, standing up, were
| joined in the Justices well-known de-
bonair style. The justice then handed
Petronella the usual certificate. and she
| left the court room with Augustus, the
| justice says, evidently happy bride.
| Petronella came back to Justice Weeds
Office few days afterward, apparently
| very much distressed, and declared,
| through an interpreter, that she did not
| know she was married until some one
| translated her certificate for her.
The Justice asked her what she sup
posed she was doing when she and
Augustus, with clasped hands. stood M
before him. He says she made no reply
but left his office.