The morning times., 1895-09-07
PLIGHT OF FlBRIDEGROOh
William H. Rhine Arrested the
Day After His Wedding.
IS CHARGED WITH BIGAMY
His Latest Matrimonial Venture Was
with Mrs. Cecil, the Widow of n
Tell-K Known Merchant-Her Pastor
and Son Advised Her Against 1t but
She Persisted.

William H. Rhine became, on Thursday
night, a bridegroom. Last night found
him a prisoner i'll a cell at the Twelfth
street police station. The charge entered
against him was bigamy, the complainant
being Mrs. Mary " Cecil, who resides at
No. S12 street southeast.
The story OF Rhines' marital escapade
with its prison sequel is interesting. A bout
one month ago he made the acquaintance
of Mrs. Cecil, who is about forty years OF
age, and the widow OF Joseph b. Cecil,
for many years military and merchant
tailor in this city. When Mr.. Cecil died he
left his widow pretty well fixed with this
worlds goods, including the pretty G
street residence Mr.. Ccoil was a veteran
of the Union army and also left his wife
a widows pension TO help support his two
children, "a girl of fourteen years and q
son who is i'll his eighteenth year.
Rhine, who is forty-eght years of age
and plasSerer by trade, at once set about
enga aging the affections OF the preposScsS
ing widow. He waited upon her with all
the gallantry of youth and finally won
her heart, hand and property.
CREATED A CONNECTION
The wedding was set for Tuesday even
ing a the Independent Methodist Church
on Eleventh street southeast, OF which
Rev Mr. Wilson is pastor.
The marriage license was issued Wcdncs
da and its publicauonin The Times caused
a CONN Otion in East Washington among
the neighbors OF the lady. Among other
rumors that found circulation was one
which charged Rhine with having an
other wife living This was brought to
the ears of Mrs. Cecil, and she at once
consulted her pastor, Rev Mr.. Wilson, and
other friends. They advised her againi$
the marriage, as did her eighteen -ycar-old
son, who said he did not like either Rhine's
talk or manner.
The widow, however, had made up her
mind to marry Rhine, and could not he
dissuaded. She had a large number OF
invitations TO the wedding issued, and
remarked to a friend:
IF Joe has anolher wife someone VIII
know of it and be present to object TO
the ceremony"
The wedding came off at the appoiuteC
time and place. There was none present
marriage supper and reception followed
at the home OF the bride, which had also
become the abiding place OF Rhine. On
yesterday morning the new husband gave
young Cecil emWo ymeut with him as
lather, and then procuring buggy gave
his bride a honeymoon drive about Wash
ington.
In the meantime another feature Of the
case was being worked up in Inspector
HollinbergeT's office. at police headQuar-
ters ID elective Robert Boardman had
read the marriage license notices ana re-
membered that he had arrested Rhine on
November Is, 1899, for bigamy. That 1t
was proven he had two wives then, and
after a trial Rhine was convicted, and on
January 81, 1898, sentenced to serve
three years at labor in Albany.
RHINE WAS IN PRISON.
The records in Inspector HolInberger's
office were examined and it was shown
that Rhine had served his time, with
eight months off for good behavior. Yes
terday Detective Boardman with Sergt.
johnson started out to lind Mrs. Cecil aud
notify her that Rhine was a higamist, had
two wives living and had served time
for his crime. The Officers did not know
that the ceremony had already been per
formed They met Rhine in the buggy with
Mrs Cecil on Capitol Hill in the afternoon.
Detective Boardman stepped up TO Rhine
and remarked:
Il hear you are going to be married
again"
Il was married last night" admitted
the man with evident confusion.
Then you will have to go to police
headquarters with me-" said the detective.
Inspector Hollinbrrger interrogated Rhine
and ordered his Incarceration at No.
police station, where he spent last night.
1t is known that wives Nos. and ?. who
were the means of sending Rhine to the
penitenttary in 1893, are both alive. In
fact No. 2 will appear in the police court
this morning with WIDOW Cecil, who IS
now No. 3, To prosecute the plasterer.
Rhine was seen in his cell last night,
and said he was advised by lawyer, 10
whom he paid fee, that he could marry
the widow Cecil without danger of arrest,
as his incarceration in the penitenuary
annulled the former two marriages.