The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1894-11-27
TOOK ANOTHER WIFE.
Bonds of Matrimony Cannot
Bind Mr.. Mead.
NOW HE'LL BE TRIED FOR BloAMY
BE Sings Himself Into the Good Graces
of an Oregon Girl. Leaving His
Fremont Wife Alone

A A. Mead, of Fremont, who left his
wife and SIX children about six months
ago in destitute circumstances, and turned
up ut Middleton. Or, shortly after, and
married a highly respectable young lady,
named Ellis. claiming 10 be single man,
has been arrested for bigamy, and will be
tried this week. His wife went to Middle
ton yesterday TO testify in the case.
In July last Mead borrowed horse and
car; from friend in Fremont, with which
TO deliver an organ, being an agent for a
Portland house, and since then nothing
had been heard or seen Of him or the rig
until about a month ago, when it was as
eertained that he was living at Middleton,
and had married Miss Ellis.
His arrest came about in this manner.
Mrs. Mead. growing uneasy at his long
absence and silence. wrote letter to the
music house in Portland for which he
Travelled, and the firm sent her short let
ter from Mrs. Ellis, OF Middleton, Or,
inqGiring OF the firm whether Mead was a
married man or not. The lrm also adj
vised her that they were about TO have him
arrested for enforcement. Mrs. Mead
Immediately opened up a correspondence
with Mrs. Ellis who proved 10 be The
girls mother. Mrs. Ellis IN her letter
stated TO Mrs. Mead that Mead came 10
Middleton some time ago and. being a
good singer and organist, the church peo-
pie made things very pleasant for him. so
that he eventually joined the church.
Miss Ellis, being a member of the choir,
Mead and she were thrown great deal to-
gether and finally became engaged. The
mothers suspicious were aroused at some
hi
the hrm at Portland. with the above re-
suit. Mrs. Mead took her baby and
started for Middleton, leaving her other
tive children with a neighbor Shortly
after arriving there, and while she was
swearing out warrant for his arrest
In the Justices office. he was brought
In tor hearing on the embezzlement
charge. lodged against uim by the Port
land firm She went up to him with her
baby in her arms and greeted him, but he
would not speak to or notice her. He was
acquitted OF the embezziement charge. but
was Immediately rearrested for bigamy.
His trlai takes place this week. and Mrs.
Mead, accompanied by her IS.year-old
son, her 5.year-old daughter. who used to
be her ''papa's pet,' and tine baby. left
yesterday to attend his trial.
Before she left about 100 of her old
friends and neighbors got together and
signed testimonial as TO her character
for truthfulness, chastity, and being a
good wife and mother. This was made
necessary by the fact that Mead has SO
ingratiated himself into the affections of
the church people and others that on Mrs.
Mead's first trip the majority OF the Mid
dleton people considered her an impostor.
the girl he married being among the num-
Der. The fact of his acquittal in the other
case causes them 10 believe that he is be-
ing prosecuted. Since marrying Miss
Ellis he has bought himself horse and
buggy. his wife (No. p a diamond ring
and other presents, and has been making
his home with his father-in-law's family.
When Mead first met Mss Ellis he told
her he was a single man and possessed Of
considerable means. He said he owned a
900 residence in this city and other
real estate. During all this time his FAM
lily was reduced almost to begsary.