The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1891-06-17
BLUE BEARD, JR.
George Reinhart ExcelIs the Famous
Character of Hobgoblanism.

WAPAKoNETA, O, June "a modern
Blue Beard has been practicing his hor-
rorsin Clay township, thiscounty, about
six miles east of this city, in a most
respectable and quiet neighborhood.
AuglaiZe county has produced a man
who even eXcels that famous character
of hobgoblanism in the mortality of his
wives. Charitable neighbors say that
the awful death rate among George
Re:nhart's wives is simply misfortune,
as in forty-two years be has had six
wives, all Of whom but the last one are
dead; but, since he is responsible for
the delicate condition OF his 14-year old
granddaughter, it may be almost rea-
sonable to say that mystery exists in
his household. So far the Wretched
villain has gone anpunished. but this is
due to the fact that the existing state
of affairs was unknown to the authori-
ties here. Feinhart is 70 years old, but
is strong and possesses unusual vitality.
He was married at 81, and his first wife
lived four years and bore him three
children. Then Christina Pulsfer, a
neighbor, came to his household. She
lived long enough to bear three children.
The third woman to enter his home was
Christie Schlichtig. She lived but a
year, and her sister was induced to take
her place as wife, She at the end of
eigh years had borne him five children,
and soon after slept beside her sister in
the church yard. His neighbors began
to wonder at Reinhart's misfortunes.
He next married a widow named To-
land, WHO already had three children,
and with them and the widow Rein
hart came into possession of ten acres
of land. She died after four years
residence in the household, leaving
fonr children, who owed their parent
age to her second husband.
A 40-year-old spinster named Betchel
was the next to assume the duties as
Reinhart's wife. She was the mother
of two children, and her death ended
the mortality of the wives in the house
hold. No. 7 now came. She was
young and did not want to work.
Neither was she prolific. She disgusted
her husband, who abused and mlstreat-
ed her. Four years ago she secured a
divorce in the courts OF Auglaize coun-
ty. A daughter Of a son of Reinhart,
whose mother had died, came to abide
in. the household of the many wives
She was the only wo man ID house of
five men. Since the girl was II she had
lived in Reinhart's home, and at that
time his incest began. What threats
were used are only matters of conject-
ure. Without friend on earth, the
girl remained in the wretch's house.
The condition was apparent to all, and
to add to her shame she was recently
driven from a public gathering OF
young people at a neighbor's. Any
court can readily establish these facts,
as the incestuous wretch does not deny
them. Prosecutor Layton, Sheriff Shu-
bert and Constable Van SkiSer dove
out to Clay township and arrested
Reinhart. They brought his victim
with them, and she will be cared for by
friends until court opens. Reinhart
waived examination and was bound
over to the court in the sum of $40
He is charged with incest and rape,
which, as the child is daughter, is
life penitentiary offense. He says he
is innocent, and the girl says he forci-
bly raYiShed her.