Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1904-11-18

examiners to ascertain IL one of the
women was making ~ wrongful claim
This research resulted in the nrraign-
ment of Mrs. Mary Reese, and her eX-
PLANTATION that she believed she was
still Samuel r. Reese's wife because
the service in her divorce case was
upon the twin brother of her hus-
band.
The story of the two brothers is an
interesting one. They were born In
the early pioneer days as twins and
the event being deemed Il remarkable
one q rich uncle by the name Of Thorn
as, according to Mrs. Reese's story
offered to give each baby $4,000 II
they could be named after him. Ac-
cordingly one was named Samuel
Thomas Reese. and the other John
Thomas Reese. The former married
Mrs. Mary Reese, Of Des Moines.
It was the twin brother John whom
Mrs. Reese believes the notice of her
divorce suit was served. AS a strange
family coincidence, when this man died
three women, according to the govern
ment records, claiming to be his law
full wives. applied for pensions of the
government. Hardly had this trouble
been ferreted out when Samuel Thorn
as Reese applied to the government for
a pension. for service In the Mexican
war. This application caused another
series Of Investigations, and 1t was dis
covered q pension was being paid to
q man in Texas who claimed to have
performed the same service. The de-
scription OF both men was identical
as to size and weight. Both men had
red hair. Then 1t was the examiner
visited the man in Texas and was
convinced that he had performed the
service. Then he sought for Samuel
4. Reese, the second applicant.
1t was In this investigation that the
adventures Of Samuel Thomas Reese
were first discovered. 1t seems he left
his home in Des Moines after he was
discharged from the army. He applied
for q discharge on the ground of fam
lily troubles" and returned to his home
in Des Moines. Some time later he
disappeared. The government officials
learned that he had previously been
married to another woman, and when
examined on this point recently. Mrs.
ltocSc VI lICa NlVlilS5s duAAiStSN $50
learned that fact after he returned
from the war, and said 1t almost caus-
ed her to leave him as he had deceived
her She said she had gained this IN
formation from sister-in-law VINO
visited her. She said this woman VINO
was her brothers sister, had marrleo
a man who was the brother OF her nus
bands first wife. The information
was given unexpectedly.
The government investigators learn
ed that after Reese left Des MONIES
never to return, that he became an az
venturer. For time he went over .ne
western country as stage driver. re
attracted the fancies of women anu liie
government officials claim TO nave eNi-
dence pointing to five different MAJ
riages and conclusive proof OF three.
Much Of this evidence was eleai'e.
from a divorce petition filed by one OF
his wives, wherein she set out ene
names of two other women win WHOM
he was cohabitating as huspano anu
wife. She charges this was adul'erous
and WAC Granted O. decree on this
ground.
Here death cheated the government
When the pension 1nves-
tigators reached there to examine him
ais to his alleged service In the Mexican
war he was dead. Ills lips had been
sealed forever. Accordingly with the