The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1901-04-23
HAD FIFTY WIVES.
Count Leopold De Melville Must
Face Deserted Spouses.

Chicago, April 23.-The Chronicle
says: In the arrest of Count Leopold
de Melville, otherwise known as Leo
Farlquini. who is held by the New
York police on a charge of bigamv
sworn to by a brother of one of his
Chicago wives. there was brought to
light in this city romance whose un-
folding reveals the count as the hero
of more than 100 love affairs. He is de-
clared to be the husband of an assort-
ment Of wives whose number recently
deserted wife in Chicago estimated at
not less than fifty or so.'
As a duelist on many a blood-stained
field of honor in Europe the count be-
came celebrated nearly a generation
ago. His duels were always fought for
love and the wounds received in the on
sets he proudly bears on his face and
body. He at last broke altogether with
his father, a nobleman high in the court
and councils of the king OF Belgium,
and came to this country.
Such was the narrative detailed last
evening at her residence in this city BY
Mrs. Hannah Henson de Melville who
married Count de Melville in this city
August 2, 1900. and lived with him until
three weeks ago. A few days before
April 1 of this year the count elOped
with a young woman from Riverdale
whom, it is alleged, he married in this
state and then took with him TO New
York Within few days of the elOpe-
m ent the young lady's brother discov-
cred that de Melville had a wife in
Chicago-Mrs- Hannah Henson de Mel
ville-With whom ne had been living un-
til the time of the elopement- His sis
ter in New York was made acquainted
with his brothers discoveries. There
was a scene between the elOpers, after
which the woman returned to Chicago.
When placed under arrest in New
York the count was reported to have
told Detective Burke he had so many
wives that he had not been able to keep
track of even their names and could
form no idea as to the real number.
To have made such an admission the
countess thinks would have been unlike
the count. who is said to be habitually
cautious and taciturn in dealing with
strangers But she freely avowed that
in her opinion he has several wives liv-
ing and added that she should not be
surprised if the number should be found
to reach fifty.
With this latter number to his credit
the count would be found to have
thrown into the shade the records of the
two most celebrated Chicago bigamists.
Bates and Farnsworth, since Bates was
able to muster only five at his trial and
Farnsworth about the same number al
though Farnsw0rth told the police here
that the number of his living wives was
forty-tw0-
The countess first met the count dur
ing the Worlds fair. She is the sister of
Rev. John Henson, pastor of a church
al Grand Rapids Mich. She had come
to Chicago to visit the fair and was
stopping at the Richelieu hotel, her com
paniOn being a southern heiress.
At first the count was infatuated with
the southern belle, but later diverted
his affections to Miss Henson. She re-
turned to her brothers home and did
not see the count again until last fall,
when she married him She declared last
evening that there is no doubt in her
mind that he is a genuine count and
all rtyrl Hnr rr,r@1I
Before the end of the week the count
will be brought to Chicago to face his
accussers, Detective Walbarn of the
states attorneys Office having gone
to New York with copies of the indict-
ment and other documents necessary for
the nobleman's extradition.