New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-07-02
WON HER BY FALSE PRETENCES.
ANNIE p TRACEY GETS DIVORCE FROM
HER HUSBAND. WHO IS KNOWN AS
4 CRIMINAL.


After hearing testimony Of a rather remarkable
character Justice Smith, OF the Supreme Court, yes
terday granted decree annulling the marriage De-
tween Annie NJ Tracey and Joseph +. Tracey Inc
woman. who plaintiff. is striking brunette
and the man is well known as criminal. his OWN
sworn confession tina; he induced the plaintin 10
marry him by saying that he was prosperous ard
well connected introduced In evidence
The marriage took place on october II. 1885, AT
that time the plaintiff who Mss Annie NJ
Hamme. was the proprietor OF a large millinery
establishment at No. 1851 Thrd-ave. New-York SAe
introduced 10 Tracey several months before the
ceremony by her sister. Mrs Catherine Gunther.
whose husband has a restaurant at NO al East
Th.ri-st., New-York. Tracey was one OK the per-
sons who ate at the restaurant.
The evidence yesterday that Tracey told the
Gunthers that he was a lawyer and we'll connected
When they introduced him to Miss Hammel he told
her the same thing. said tnat he owned real estate
in several places. and that he was living in the
Hotel St Denis and had office in Broadway. He
called on Miss Hammel frequently. and finally asked
her 10 marry him, saying that he would give her
a $1,000 insurance policy which he had on his HE
Miss Hammel believed what he told her, and the
ceremony was performed by justice OF the peace
in Greenfield. y. J. Mrs. Tracey never lived with
her husband Immediately after the marriage she
went home to her parents. with whom she was liv-
ing at the time. and told her husband that she
would not i've with him unless ceremonial mar
rlage performed. Tracey SAID that ne would
have such ceremony the next month When the
day OF the ceremony came. however. he did not
appear. and his wife began investigation She
soon learned that he had lied 10 her: that he did
not live in the Hotel ST. Denis. and that he did not
have an office in Broadway She wrote TO Justice
Lawrence OF the Ncw-York Supreme Court who
Tracey had said was his friend. Justice Lawrence
replied through his private secretary that he had
never heard of Tracey. Mrs. Tracey continued
her inquiries and learned. although he had told the
truth when he said he a lawyer. that he was
also known as a criminal. and that he had served
several terms in the Kings County Pententiary
under various aliases.
on January 49, 1851. he sent there under the
name OF Samuel Hoffman for robbing the poor
boxes in several Brooklyn churches. He served a
six months and on July 49, 1892 he was re-
turned to the prison by Police Justice Walsh under
the name OF Samuel HofThemer. This time his
sentence a year and fine OF $500 for robbng
the poor-box OF ST. Barnabas's Church. Mrs. Tracey
was samuel HOFFMAN. She did thing at the time.
band was arrested again charge OF burglary
and that ne waiting in Raymond Street JAN TO
| lawyer Fenton Rockwell. and told him what she
had learned concerning his past Then Tracey broke
in evidence. 1t Is "a follows:
a. Joseph Paul 3S being pet d4y worn ns dp am
d resident OF the city and county OF New York on
%ns sbo?i HamG TSdent OF hs city Of Nea
| York and / sought an introduction through her
sister Mrs Joseph Gunther. | at the time
| absolutely penniless and Misc Hammel had pros
| porous millinery store. deceived her into mar
riage by falsely stating that was highly connected.
| named prominent judges. saying that Judge Law
renee. Of the Supreme Court was my friend; do
not know him. | also told her that hal life In
surance policy for $4,000. and that would give her
the policy II she married me also said owned
some real estate in Staten Island and property in
California. all Of which is untrue | am penni!ess
| and have no money whatever. do not believe she
| false representations. / deceived her grievousy.
angel that she Is. do tardy justice at the last mo-
| ment. | willing now TO have her freed. as
| falsely and wilfully msrepresented myself TO her
| she is TOO good for such a man as / am. | am now
indicted for a crime. and feel that should free
her from her entangl cement, secured by fraud and
| tissue OF falsehoods. Not one statement made by
me IL true and respectfully desire that the Court
Will grant her such relief is provided for In the
| statutes These not all the falsehoods told
her; there many more. and my wife will re-
| captuate them. Any statement she may make Will
| be true as she IL incapable OF telling 4 fasehood.
She is an honorable and truthful woman.
| These statements made without any promise
from any counsel or any collision between me and
! my wife. JOSEPH T. TkACEf,
| Tracey also told the lawyer and his wife that he
had been living IN a Bowery lodging house In New
| York and that ne paid 81 30 a week for his board.
| Later he pleaded guilty 10 an Indictment charging
| him with carrying burglars tools. and sent to
the pen tertiary for months by Judge Asphalt
| Of the County Court. He l. serving that term.
There was also indictment against him sor burg
larry In the third degree but 1t was not pressed. in
! consideration 81 his plea the other indictment
| Justice Smith granted the decree 10 Mrs. Tracey
| Mr. Rockwell and p. w. Ostrander appeared for her
| on ne