The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1891-05-13

Fire of Gossipers---Io has Gone to
StrafehJen Things and Satisfy Wife
No. Lille saws 1t is not His Fault II
tho Case.
With wife at homo and q woman
claiming to be wife in Pennsylvania
town, man dosn't stand much show in
Roanoke. Hundreds of gossiping tongues
clattering teeth, and peering eyes, at
the command of old women and the
promiscous public,-with long bony fln-
gers pointed at man who has not yet
enjoyed year of married bliss, is
enough to cause him to leave the town.
OF course these gossiping stories must
be hushcd up and that is why Mr.. f. +.
Rodabaugh left for Pennsylvania last
night
About two weeks ago THE TIMES
published an interview about Mr. Roda-
baugh in reference to the report that
was being circulated about the city that
he had a wife living in Pennsylvania.
On this occasion MIR. Rodabaugh pro-
duced document supporting to be
granted in the county of Boxel6er, Utah
territory, as decree of separa ton be-
tween T.. Il. and Maggie Rodabaugh.
1t was Mr.. Rodabaugh's request that
statement should be published to
silence tho stories that were being cir
culated against him. That is why he
produced the document, saying to the
reporter at the same time that he
had heretofore told no one in Roanoke
that he had ever been married. He did
not consider that it was anYbody's bust.
ness, but the report was being circula-
ted that he had another wife and he
wished to have the matter corrected
through the columns of TIE TIMES.
so The TINES published the state
nent and said Mr.. Rodabaugh had a
valid divorce making the separa ticn be-
tween he and his Pennsylvania wife
absolute. But instead of hushing the
matter up, it was only adding fuel to
the flames. Everybody begun talking
and making inquiries after the truth.
AS a result letters were written to
Mrs Rodabaugh No. /, in Columbia.
Pennsylvania. A reply was received
from Mrs Rodabaugh's father, George
I. Deeg, in which he stated that Roda-
baugh was married to his daughter
under peculiar circumstances December
%, 1887. lie was at that time teaching
school in another part of the State,
and left Immediately after the cere-
tnony, going back and taking charge of
his school until about the middle of
March, 1889, whep he left Pennsylvania.
Mrs. Rodabaugh had not seen her hus-
band since they we're married. She had
frequently heard of him, and just before
he Was m arried in Roanoke had received
letter from him.
Prior to this She received another let
ter from Rodabaugh while in this city,
saying that he had been married TO
another woman before he ever met her
and saying that he hoped she would re-
iinquish all claims on him, as he was
living in constant fear Of this other wife.
Mrs Rodabaugh did not take much
notice OF this letter, and considered it to
be bluff. Tie second letter was an
offer of Mr.. Rodabaugh to pay all ex-
penscs and give her $50 if she would con-
sent to make application for decree of
separation. To this letter no reply was
sent.
Mr.. Deeg added that ''the william
would be shown up in his true colors."
Mr. Rodabaugh went to Col. S. y
brooke when the reports of his alleged
blgamy was being circulated, and snow
ing the document, requested that the
colonel give him certificate as to the
validity Of the document.
OF course Colonel Brooke could only
say that the papers seemed to be cor
rect, and gave him q certificate accord
ingly. This certificate was shown to
TINES reporter, as we'll as the bill of
Divorce.
MIR Rodabaugh stated at the time
that he hao been in Utah and remained
about seven months, or long enough to
acquire citizenship. He made applica-
ton in Boxclder county for a divorce,
but had some trouble in securing it, as
he still knew where his wife was. lie
had friend, how ever, on the watch,
and it was finally reported to him that
she had left that part of the country.
lie then made application and procured
divorce, after which he came to Vir-
GINA.
According to Nc. Deeg. Rodabaugh
was not in Utah at all. He taught
school till March 18th, 1888. A few
days later March 2Sth, 1889 he APP
peared in Roanoke direct from Pennsyl.
vania, and procured employment in the
Roanoke Machine Works, where he has
been OIL and On ever since, sometimes
clerking and sometimes working at his
trade.
Sometime last year he was married 10
Miss Eva Martin. daughter of II. j.
Martin, of this city. The family of the
young lady has always been Of high
standing and knew nothing of Roda
hrgh's other wife. and in fact never
heard of such a women until very re.
Gently.
Then it was that Rodabaugh produced
the divorce along with the certificate