The times., 1897-09-07
HAD TWO WIVES TOO MANY
VIM. Wheeler Pleads Guilty to
the Charge of Polygamy.
HELD FOR THE GRAND JURY
Colored Waiter Married Three
wives Inside of Two Years -CoL-
fessed His Dnplicity when Con-
fropted by the Trio in Court
Marriage Certificates in Evidence.

william Wheeler pleaded guilty yester-
day in police court, when the charge of
bigaaiy wasreadt to him, and was held dunder
$1,000 tlan by Judge Kimbal to await
tEe action OF the grand jury.
Most men are satisfied with the single
wife allowed by law, bat Wbeeler's bent
is particularly toward marriage, and for
the past two wears he has averaged a new
wife for every eight months.
Tbe self-confessed polyganist is only
thlrty-ore years old. He is nice looking
young mulatto, and for some time has been
employed as waiter at Dietz's saloon,
corner of Seventh and Z streets northwest.
In 1896 Wheeler met, wooed, and married
his first wife, Mary NJ. Wheeler. She
Is a comeiy woman, and according to her
story, While his affecticn lasted, his con-
duct was most loving and considerate.
Soon, however. he began 10 neglect her
and in less than year after his marriage
deserted her completely.
1t was during this interval that Wheeler
met the woman who was destined TO be-
come wife No. 2. She was Louisa White,
who lived on New Jersey avenue. In 1896
Rev. G. G. Mason united the two, and q
most contcnted existence followed. This
spring Wheeler began to tire OF No. ?,
and began TO pay his attentions to Rosa
Smith. Rosa is a Virginia girl, and lived
on Fl street northwest. Wheeler's winnip 8
ways oyercame her, and last June she
consented to marry him. Rev. George w.
Lee tied the hymeneal knot on this occasion,
and Wheeler devoted all his time and at
teption to No. g, to the utter neglect of
M. 1, although he still continued TO pay
attention TO his New Jersey avenue wife.
Put No / in the meanwhile, was not
satisfied with being cast off so summarily,
and G. few inquiries satisfied her that an
other woTrlan had usurped her place. She
induiged in no display of jealousy, but
very sensibly concluded that she was bet
ter off without such husband and de
termined to ask Richard to return to her
a considerable amount of valuables which
he held belonging to her and let him GO
when he pleased. When she called at
DietZs he refused to comply with her de-
mands. Mary NJ. Wheeler then adopted
very different tactics. She went to the
second Mrs. Wheeler and told her that
she was the original wife. which asSer-
ton, 1T is said, the latter repelled with
some asperity, declaring that she believed
her husband to be true and faithful. See
| ing no other course open to her, the first
wife went to detective headquarters and
asEe ed for a warrant.
Detective Joseph Carter was assigned to
! the case, and arrested the polygamist
| SATURDAY. night. He denied the charge, but
agreed to accompany the officer to head
| quarters, and was afterwards locked up
| for The night in the Sixth precinct station
| house.
Yesterday, In police court, with three
| wives, three ministers, and three marriage
certificates as evidence against him
| Wheeler realized that dental was futieand
| entered plea Of guilty. Bond was accord
! ingly fixed and the prisoner tax en- to jail.
| The maximum sentence for this offense is
| four years, and as there are two indignant
| wives to deal with the chances are that
there is an eighty ear term staring Wheeler
| In the face.