The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1893-11-03
a Former Providence Man Arrested
Charged With Bisamy.
he is AT PRESENT A MINISTER.
One OF His Wives Well Known In This
City--A Startling Scene when the
Discovery Came -strickiand's Career
So Far as known.

bleeding hearts. Preacher Henry l..
Strickland, the principal character in the
story, has fed from The village to parts
unknown.
Last Saturday night the pastor OF thu
two churches at East Falmouth stood gen
orally respected in the eyes Of the world
now be is adrift in the world, yet with
three women alive whom he has called by
the name of'wife.
Mrs. Strickland No 3. who was Miss
Ida Bean of Augusta, Me-. is on her way
2 20 friends at Meredith. n. II. Mrs. Strick-
land No. 2, whose maiden name was Par
mela Potter, sits bowed with grief at
Providence, while Mrs. Strickland No.
lives in England IL the grave has not
opened for her welcome release.
Mrs. Strickland No. 3 bears with her an
Infant girl scarcely months old. No.
has laid two children, who have borne that
painful pavIe. uuder the sod, while the
original aud only legal wife has one or
two children alive or dead somewhere In
Britain.
M Nearly two years ago Strickland came
to the churches of Hatchville and Wa.
quot. He had not been ordained as
minister Of the gospel, and was set down
in the Congregati isnal year book as a Ii
centiate, that being the head under which
the unordained. but licensed, preachers are
gathered.
He was supposed to have attended
theological school and to be we'll grounded
In matters pertaining to the church, but
after he had been ordained IL was found
be had come fresh from the insurance bust
ness
Nevertheless he was allowed to stay,
particularly as his ser mons were accepta-
bic, and sometimes more, in spite of his
lack OF training. The villagers are now
sorry for having made "A rash bargain
About six months ago the family OF
Wallace Hatch left the Hatclville church
and began to attend services at North
Falmouth. One Sunday, six weeks ago,
Mrs. Hatch's brother. Cashier Nick
erson Of Rhode Island bank. came
up to spend the Sabbath, and at
tended church at North Falmouth. 1t
chanced that on that very Sunday Strick-
lard had exchanged pulpits with Rev.
Ezra Smith. and Mr.. Nickerson
soon realized that he had seen the
preachers face before. When Nickerson
heard his name he remembered that
Strickland had left his wife In
Rhode Island, cody remarking that she
was not his wife. for he had previously
been married abroad, and that his wife was
living. Mr. Nickerson was astounded to
learn that Strickland had married just be-
fore he came to the cape. and it was not
many days before Mrs. Strickland No. 9
was acquainted with the whereabouts of
the man she had been seeking. Some de-
lay occurred, however. but last Friday
she arrived at the house OF Wallacs Hatch,
from Providence.
The Blow Falls.
'I The blow fell Sunday afternoon toward
twilight. Deacon Eldredge. clerk OF tie
Hatchville church, went ahead To the par
sonage, while Rev. Ezra Smith and Mrs.
Strickland No. 9, closely yelled. followed
after. Mrs. Strickland No. 3, scarcely
more than fragile girl, opene the
dosr. and, noting the strange woman
with hidden face. seemed to divine
some danger, for she stepped back
and had word with her hus-
band. Then she withdrew. but fingered
in the hallway, where. through the thin
Partition. not word was lost to her.
MIRA Strickland No. 2 advanced and
lifted her veil. Rev. Mr.. Smith inquired:
''Strickland, Is this your wife ?"
The preacher turned white as marble,
Int he firmly replied, "No."
was the next ringing question. and, after
little hesitation. Strickland answered
"No."
Then the full tide OF her sufferings
coming over Mrs. Strickland No. 2. sac
strode up to the man who had deceived
her, and shaking her fist, la his face, she
cried:
''Oh, Harry Strickland. that had the
muscle OF man to knock You down
Wasn't my mother. and my sister and
brother at the wedding? On, you black
villainr'
AT this juncture Mrs. Strickland No.
urst open the door, with her babe In her
arms, aud rushed in. shr.ekiug:
IL shall kill myself. IL you do not kill
me-. have no husband, and this baby
eirl no father" Then she went into hys-
terics. Strickland did not preach that
night, Ind the congregation at Waukoit
was dismissed on ssme pretext.
A Career of Crime.
Probably only small para OF his
mans life has been learned. What
~ known may be quickly stated
as follows; Strickland came from
England ten or dozen years
ago. as musician. lie drifted 20 Rhode
Island and soon became the leader OF n
band At Drovidence. While there he wed
ded Mis~ Potter. She heard rumors that
Strickland had wife living in England.
and demanded proofs TO the contrary.
Docume1tary evidences was finally pro-
duced. Now it IL believed the papers were
AL forgeriss. Afterward the couple moved
90 Moultonboro, Me-, and Strickland. yet
ting Into pecuniary straits. his wife lefl
him temporarily. to seek her living else.
where.
When she sou rht 70 return Strick.
land had the nerve 20 write her that
she was not his wife; that her
FIRST fears were true; That b. had a
wife abroad aud that she had been
trappsd by false paper. and this in spite
Of the fact hat she bad at least twice
sent him money. Strickland used one OF
tne<e rcmittaucts for the expenses Of his
ohIfa usdasDg slaos that lime. two