Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1891-11-26
TIE BloAMY CASE SENT ON.
Henry Berkle Given a Preliminary Hear
ing In the Police Court Yesterday.

A large audience filled the Police Court
yesterday morning and an interesting per-
tormance followed.
Ono of the first cases called was that of
Henry Berkle, the tailor who, as fully reported
In the DISPATCH, was arrested Tuesday Tor piga.
my. The charge recltcd that he did unlaWiuliy
aud felOnlOusly marry and take 70 vile one Mary
Weiner he having before married one Augusta
Cotto, and che the said Augusta, being then
alive. Mrs. Augusta Berkle, the German woman
aDovo referred 10, swOre out tho warrant before
Justice Graves.
BerEle Is rotund liltlo Dutchpsn who has
been living in Richmond for boutten years and
has always sustained the reputation Of an honest
citizen. In the examination yesterday be was
reprOsCutsd by Mr. Sol. l.. B.oOmocrg, while toe
prosecution was conducted by the Common
Wealth's Attorney.
The testimony developed that Berkle had been
married three times and that wives Nos. and
3 are still living, both Of whom Wero In court
Berkle's story ana that Of his first wife differed
but slightly. lie married her In New YORK about
twenty years ago. She was, he said, always
creating a disturbance, 90 that they could not
live peaceiullytogother and she finally expressed
a desire 70 retlRn 20 Germany. He sent her, ac-
cording 20 hts story, 10 his fathers homo az Wet
burg, and little later he himself went over on
account OF the Illness OF one OF his children. lie
subsequently returned 70 New York and In feW
years married again. Berkle then moved 70
Richmond with wife No. 2, who lived with him
until about two years ago whom she died ana ne
afterWard welded widow from Baltimore, Mrs.
Annie Mary Weimer.
The case is somewhat romantic in It's nature
and the statement Of Mrs. Berkls No. (which
upon objection By counsel was decided 20 be IN
admissible as evidence strongly appeals 20 the
sympathy OF those who have heard her story.
FIVE CHILDREN AND ALL DEAD.
She SAYS she was married to Berkle ia Now
YORK, October 8, 1869, and that Ia the first nine
years Of their married life she had i've children,
tho last OF which was born In Germany after helr
return from America, All Of them are now dead.
ghe states that when Berkie deserted her his
family refused to tell her where he had gOne and
would never tell her anything OF MS where
ab0uts. Sho went into service and worked at one
place aud another, trying oil the tlme 10 hear
from her husband. Finally, through the aid Of
the German Consul IN the United States, she
traced Berkle to KichmOnd, and, after writing
several times AMI waiting for reply she, with
the assistance OF friends, got money enough to
come to New York, and was assisted from there
20 Richmond
The Justice sent the osse On TO the Hastings
Court and Berklo went 70 jail. His hrst wife was
taken 70 the almshouse, where she viii DO cared
for until the trial comes OF next month.
OTHER CASES.
There we're few other cases Of importance be-
fore his Honor.
charged with being fugiti7es from justice from
Powhatan county, were turned over 10 the au-
thOritles Of that county. When the men were ar
rested IN their rooms on Iuesday BOOKER hGd
pistol on his person ana Powell razor
Thomas Thornton paid SlO aud costs for as
sauI,lng rnd striking James hishart, knocking
out one Of his teeth.
The case OF James Allen, accused Of throwing
lime in the eyes OF Z. W. Lee, was continued IN
I'll tomorrow.
Braxton Cullen, an aged coored man, was up
for stealing piece Of bacon. The Old fellow
said he took the meat because he was hungry,
and continued thaths wouldn't got IN dem bad
habits II he hadn't lived in Washington twenty
fiye years. The Justice les him OF lightly and
only had hin locked up tWenIy-four hours IN the
statiOn-hOuse.