Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-11-14
IN T E N M O N T H S
And Now Miss Lilly Has Been Sentenced
to Jail for Bigamy.
In Less Than n Year She Can Choose
Her Husbnnd-She Plead.
Guilty.

The rather sensational case of Maud NJ.
Lilly, indicted for bgamy, came up unex-
pectedly this morning before Judge Cox, in
Criminal Court No. 2 was quickly disposed
of, the second sentence under the Edmunds
law in the District imposed, and a new and
important law ruling made
Miss Lilly. or perhaps she should be call
ed Mrs. Crosby or Mrs Goodman, Is the at
tractve young woman whose unseemly
conduct in September melted widespread
interest and comment. Miss Lilly went to
Camden, N. j., August last, and married
John V. Goodman, and lived with HIM as
his wife for nearly two months. During
this period the bride kept up a correspond
ence with George W. Crosby, jr., of this
city, who had been her lover for some time,
but did not inform him of her marriage
with Goodman. Crosby went to Camden
September Is last, at Miss Lilly's request,
proceeded to her apartments and together
they sought minister and were welded.
Immediately after the ceremony crosby
brought the young woman to this city,
where they started housekeeping and were
as happy the day is long.
Goodman, on discovering that his wife had
fled, traced her to this city, and then found
thatshe was living with Crosby. Both hus-
bands were naturally startled at the dis
closure, and the arrest Of Miss Lilly follow
ed She made no denial of the charge, her
only explanation being that she married
Goodman because 1t was the wish OF her
mother She loved Crosby, however. and
therefore became his wife when the oppor-
tunity presented itself. One of the most re-
markable features of the case was the APP
parently sincere statement of Miss Lilly
that she did not know she was doing wrong
in marrying Crosby.
Miss Lilly was Indicted for bigamy and
pleaded not guilty several weeks ago. When
the Criminal Court was opered this morning
she was taken into the crowded room from
l. ~ I'd Ioer do +h~o 81
legged highwaymen. After smiling sweetly
at her attorney Mr.. T. c. Taylor. Miss Lilly.
who was the only woman in court, cast her
eyes downward and sat with bowed head
during the remainder Of the proceedings.
She was stylishly attired and seemed to
realize keenly her position.
Attorney Taylor addressing the court, an
nounced that Miss Lilly desired to withdraw
guilty, this action to be taken with the I'M
Outstanding that a Jail sentence would be
imposed. Assistant District Attorney JET
fords added that at the direction of District
Attorney Brney he would recommend the
course outlined by Mr.. Taylor.
A discussion followed regarding the law
covering the case, and 1t was brought
out that the punishment for bigamy is
Imprisonment in the penitentiary for not
less than two years. However, the Ed
nlGnds law which went into effect subse-
quent to the law providing for higamy,
stipulates that the punishment shall be
Imprisonment ICT not more Tran UNe years,
but does not mention the place of coninc-
rent. Therefore, 1t Is within the discre-
ton of the court whether the person con-
victed be confined one minute or five years,
In Jail or in the pententiary.
Attorney Taylor suggested that Miss
Lilly, whom he characterized as a simple
minded young girl had already been con-
fired two months. Judge Cox then imposed
a sentence of ten months in the District
Jail, and the fair prisoner rather cheerily
descended to the cage.
1t Is stated that Miss Lilly has been en-
plcyed at the Jail by the matron and has
proved TO be a valuable assistant She Is
to continue the duties mentioned, and her
Imprisonment therefore is not likely to be
especially lrksome.
AS st:ted, the sentence is the second I'M
der the Edmunds law, and perhaps the in
ital case in the District where a person adj
mittedy guilty of bigamy has not received
a term in the penitentiary.