Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1904-04-18
REV. N|CK[RS|)N
IS A B|GAM|S|
Colored Preacher of This City
Takes a Dusky Bride at
Circleville, Ohio
WILL PROSECUTE HIM THERE
After Authorities Here Are Thru With
the Reverend Gentleman Ohio Law
Wants Him for Bisamy-Married to
Second Wife Only Month Ago II
Was a Power for Good.

Rev. William r. Nickerson. wanted
here on a charge of embezzlement. on a
March grand jury indictment charging
him with having misappropriated funds
of this city, is a bigamist as well as an
embezzler. One lS-year- bride
doesn't appear to have been sufficient
for the colored preacher. and only u
month ago he was married at Circle
vile. Ohio. to Myrtle Zimmerman, an
orphan, IS years of age.
When the arrest of Rev. Nickerson
was effected at Columbus last week q
probable bigamy phase as complica-
ton was suggested by County Attor-
ney Northup, who had in mind infor-
nation that had come to him from an
unofficial source to the effect tina.
Nickerson had a wife living somewhere
in the south. This information is still
to be looked up, with u view of verify
ing IT, In an interview with Mrs. Nick
erson No. l or 2. as the case may be,
to the effect that her husband had In
formed her of previous marriage, ana
had told her that he knew not whether
his wife had obtained divorce, lent
color to the surmise on the part Of the
county attorney.
Has Bride Of Month.
A telegram from Columbus. O., this
morning from Sheriff c. S. Hutson, an
nounced the somewhat startling infor-
nation chat Nickerson has wife with
him. The telegram WAS Il query to as
certain whether or no. Mrs. Nickerson
here had obtained & divorce. The
sheriff was wired that the Wife here
still had claim on her husband, and
that no divorce had been granted.
Upon receipt OF. the telegram from
Mr.. Hutson at the sheriff's office, the
Times Republican wired Columbus and
received late this afternoon the follow
ing telegram:
Rev. William Nickerson was married
to Myrtle Zimmerman, aged Is. an or
phan o: Circleville, Pickaway county.
Ohio. about month ago"
The telegram also stated that the
Ohio authorities would prosecute after
The Iowa officials get thru with him.
This last statement would indicate that
there is no doubt but that Governor
Myron r. Herrick Will grant the requi-
sition, fhe hearing on which was set
for this afternoon.
Was a Power For Good.
Rev. Nickerson, according to the
Afro American, a paper devoted to the
interests of the colored people, pub
lished at Columbus, was a power for
good in his life as an evangelist in that
state. The paper publishes an extern
sive account of his work there together
with biograp hical sketch. This shows
him to have been born at Chat
Tenn, March 3, 1859. He re-
1eived his education at the public
schools of Chattanooga; Roger Will
lams University; Southland College.
Ark; Dudley Business Col
ege Of this city, and Central University
Of Iowa, at Pella. The paper referred
TO says, in reference to his evai1gelistic
work: He is a noted evangelist. and
has just closed a series Of most sue
,essful meetings at the Union Grove
Baptist church. His meetings were
and hundreds turned away.
His sermons and appeals are ferviG,
powerful and eloquent. and Columbus
people have heard no such preaching
or a long time. The church had a
,umber Of new members and raised
1895. Mr. Nickerson comes most high
v indorsed from dozen states south
md west, where he has done evangel-
site work. His moral character and
fealty are vouche