The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1891-11-25

4 German Resident Of Richmond POSSESSES
Wives No. aud No. ,.

Wives No. and No. ..
Yesterday afternoon German woman about
fifty years Of age sat nodding in a chair at the
1 First policc-station. looking worn and tired.
/ She was dressed in long cloak, a worsted
! hood and heavy shoes. and had Just arrived
/ from Germany In search of Henry Berke Der
] recalcltrant and twice married husband since
she saw ham last IN Frieburg, Baden Germany
n one OF the cells adjoining the main room Of
the DOlce-statiOu, Henry l. erkle. VINO for ten
y ars has borne a good reputation az an in
dustrious citizen. WAS incarcerated under the
charge that he did unl8w ulv and felOIiOusly
marry and take TO wife one Mary Weimer,
he having before married one Augusta CottO
and she. the said Augusta. being then alive.
Mrs. Augusta Berkle. the German woman
above referred 10. swOre out a warrant yes
terday morning before Justice Graves setting
forth the facts above mentioned.
Mr.. Berke was interviewed by o TriEs
reporter Yesterday afternoon through q small
hole in his cell door He said if be were TO
undertake TO tell all about his case it would
make book, but alter many long drawn signs
and some persuasion on the pars of the re-
porter he told OF his marriage woes He
stated that he married Augusta Cot.o in
New York about twenty years ago.
that he had just come to this country
and was very green; tina; man came
TO him one night with the woman inquestiOn.
and they gotlntO a carriage and rode across the
city and knocked at somebody's door. where
there appeared two other men, and the
woman was given the marriage certificate
which she now holds. Berkle saws she was
always creating a disturbance and that he
could not live with her: that she finally be-
came dissatisfied and wanted 20 return to
Germany. He sent her 10 his fathers house
at frelburg. Germany. and a little later. On
account of their little girl. he says he also
returned. but after short stay his wife made
.or 10 ba 80,
to find work. lie came from there 10 New
York. and there again married. and later
moved 10 Richmond. Mrs. Rerkle number
two lived with him IN this city until ABOUT
two years ago. when she died. Shortly fol-
lowing her demise he again married. this time
a widow from Baltimore, Mrs. Annie Mary
Wiener. who was sharing his fortunes when
Mrs. Berkle number one came upon the
scene.
The much married and greatly distressed
husband Is q tailor who has been for years
doing "a small business on his own account at
zOl east Main street. He says he had never
heard from his first wife for ten years. and |
did not know that she was living until last |
week. when he received q letter from some /
body in New \ ork telling him there was q |
sick woman there claiming 10 be his wife. and |
asking him to send the money for her to come |
TO Richmond.
The woman was talked to through an in
terpeter secured Tor the purpose, and in the |
most vOlube manner related her wrongs. |
In the main her statement agreed with that |
of Berkle. She says she was married TO HIM |
IN New York, October 3, 1869. and that in the
first nine years of their married life she had
five children, the last Of which was born in
Germany after their return from America.
All OF them. are now dead. She states that
when Berkle deserted her his family refused
10 tell her where he had gone and would never
tell her anything of his Whereabouts.
She went into service and worked at one
place and another. trying all the time to hear
from her husband. Finally. through the aid
of the German consul IN the nted States.
She traced Berkle toE Richmond and, after
writing several times and waiting for a
reply. she with the assistance of friends
rot money enough TO come u New
\ ork and was assisted from there TO
Richmond. When she arrived yesterday
aind-hearted gentleman took her IN his buggy
and started out 10 find BeTkle. When they
reached Berkle's shop he was on his counter,
sewing ana when he lifted his head and saw
the woman before him he told her conductor
.o. take her away: that she Just came 10 make
trouble. and in the coolest manner dropped
bis head again and continued 10 sew.
The woman was then taken 10 Chlef-Of-Po-
ice Poe's Office. where the warrant was sworn
Jut Mrs Berklo WAS conducted 10 the First
station along with her long lost husband and
siyen something 10 eat She arrived here
With SloO and can scarcely speak word Of
English.
Tho case will come up in the police court
his morning