Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1892-11-14
SNYDER'S TWO.W|VES
They Cause Many Curious
Complications and One
Lands Him in Jail.
IN A PECULIAR POSITION.
He Must Leave the Country With One
to Get Out of Prison, But
THE OTHER is HIS PREFERENCE.
By the Second Wife He Has Children, With
the First Fortune.
IN A PECULIAR POSITION,
THE OTHER is HIS PREFERENCE.
ALIvELY ROMANCE OF TWO CONTINENTS

Cupid plays many pranks but it is seldom
he displays such q wicked disposition as he
/ has with Henry Snyder, who is a prisoner
in the county Jail on account of him. Sny'
der has two wives He loves them both
and could probably be happy with either il
the other was safely out of the way. His
position is such, however, that to live with
one he must pay the other S. week for an
indefinite period. If he would cling to the
other he must accompany her to their
native home in Germany. His friends are
trying to fix up compromise of some kind
to get him, out of Jail, but his first wife on
Saturday entered another charge against
him which has complicated the situation
desperately.
The story of Snyder's matrimonial mis-
adventures as told by his friends is inter-
estIng. He does not ella IN to be blameless,
but is nearly crazy to know what would be
the best thing to do.
Where His Troubles Began.
Snyder is cabine.maker. He was born
in Kreis Rhinebeck, Neikershem, Ger
many. His father was well-to-do and, had
taught Henry the business which had been
followed by his ancestors for generations.
In the same town lived Mary Byrer, daugh-
ter of contractor and builder, who was also
well-to-do. Snyder was "a and Miss Byrer
is. They had grown up together and be-
came engaged as naturally as doves
mate. When they were married
old Mr.. Byrer built them neat little cot
tage of many windows with small panes,
vines growing over it, and with bay win
dow on the second floor overlooking a bend
in the main street of the village. The
home was neatly and costly furnished by
the parents of the couple and Mr.. Byrer in
giving them possession said it should be
theirs as soon as they presented him with
a grandson which must be named after
him.
This was II years ago Two years rolled
around and the grandson had not arrived.
A great many of Snyder's companions had
come to America to make their fortunes
and from the letters they sent home he be-
came infected with the "America fever"
His young wife refused to separate from
her old father and Snyder finally deter
mined to come to the New World alone.
He settled at once in Allegheny. For two
years, it is claimed, he corresponded affec-
tionately with his wife, and as he was pros
pering, was able tn send her frequent re-
mittances. He frequently begged her to
come over, but she always declined
The Green-Eyed Monster Appears.
One day friend, who had just arrived
from Neikershem, informed Snyder that
Henry Shot, an old schoolmate of his, was
paying assiduous attentions to Mrs Snyder
and was being encouraged. Snyder's first
impulse was to return and wreck vengeance
on Shot. Later he changed his mind and de-
cided to forget her. Their correspondence
ceased. Snyder was working in a coffin
works in the lower end of Allegheny.
About year after the news OF his wife's
supposed faithlessness Snyder met and fell
in love with Johanna Bullergham, a pretty
Allegheny girl. He was handsome, intel
ligent fellow, making good wages, and Miss
Bullergham, not knowing of his previous
marriage, accepted him. They were mar
ried at once. Four children were born to
them, two OF whom are living. the eldest be-
ing years old and the other Is months.
Snyder bought a neat little home in Woods
Run. just of Mcclure avenue, and was as
happy as could be. He Joined building and
loan association, saved his money, and the
house is nearly all paid for. He had never
told his second wife OF his previous mar
Tiage.
on August 27 last a tall, dignified lady,
clad in mourning and unable to speak Eng
lish, called at Snyder's house and inquired
for him. When told he was not at home the
visitor inquired for Mrs. Snyder. 1t was de-
veloped that the two Mrs. Snyders were
face to face. The original endeavored to
explain, but the second wife Indignantly re-
fused to listen.
Snyder Goes to Jail.
went to her husbands shop and demanded
that he give up his second vile. On his re-
fusal she went before Alderman McMasters
and entered suit against him for desertion.
He was taken into court ordered to pay his
first wife S5 week. Being unable to secure
the necessary bondsman Snyder was sent to
iail on September H. and has remained
there ever since. His first wife was not
anxious to have him locked up, preierring
to return to Germany and take him with
her knowing after her first meeting with
him of his great love for his second wife and
fearing that he might secure bond and get
out OF Jail, she on Saturday entered another
charge against him.
The original Mrs. Snyder is a well.pre-
served, splendid looking German woman,
and her love for Snyder has lived through
all these years. SHE Indignantly denies the
story of her relations with Shot, declaring
it was fiction started by her enemies. Her
father died recently, leaving her all his
wealth, and she is willing to take her hus-
band back, with his two children, and for
get the past if he will go. Snyder has been
unable to bring himself to the point OF ac-
cepting his wife's ultimatum. He grieves
greatly that he did not tell his second wife all
about it. He loves her dearly, he says, and
is heartbroKen over his separation from
her. She does not blame him and frequently
calls to see him at thu Jail. What the out
come of the strange case will be cannot now
be conjectured, but it is likely something
will be done at the hearing before Alderman
McMasters on Wednesday.