The San Francisco call., 1907-01-03
w. Seymour Mattingly
to Be Indicted for
Bigamy


head OF a large distillery enterprise ~
Memphis.
A correspondence was maintained be
tween the two that was not interrupted
until late in 1905, when Mattingly falleo
in business ana came TO the Pacihc
Coast.
N was the intention Of Mattingly to
omen n business OF his own in Califor-
MA. and he spent several weeks IN the
principal cities OF the State on a tour
OF observation. Finally he became con-
nected with the wholesale liquor hrm
'sof Spruance. Stanley & Co, and went
10 represent them in Los Angeles, his
knowledge OF the blending Of whisky
and other branches Of the disuliery
business securing him very lucrative
berth.
once settled in Los Angeles Mat
tinglv began TO resume his correspond
ence with. the Nicksburg widow, who
about the same time-had a pressing IN
vitation from women friends IN the
California city to- pay them visit She
did not accept this invitation until jan
uarv, 1906, when she left her home IN
Nicksburg with the intention OF re-
naming month or more in California
NIattingly, who was acquainted with
her plans, met her at the home Of her
friends in Los Angeles upon her ar
rival there and pressed the suit he had
begun five years earlier. Their en-
gagement was finally decided upon, but
Mattingly asked that il be kept secret
for the time being. Not suspecung any
thing wrong, the young widow agreed
to this. and in February. 1906, came 10
san Francisco with Mattingly and was
married TO him by Rev. c. r. Brown,
pastor Of the First Congregational
Church OF Oakland.
The couple went to live at the Royal
Apartments. and MattinglN appeared
TO be an ideal husband. He was pop
ular in social circles. a freauenter OF
the clubs, and was accepted about town
as an all-around good fellow, with cap
tivatinR airs and manners.
Nothing came to mar the happiness OF
Mrs Mattingly until about a month
after her marriage. when she was sur
prised TO receive a package from the
bellboy at the Royal addressed TO her
husband from Mrs. ". S. Mattingly,
Los Angeles" The package contained
neckwear and other articles OF cloth
ing and its receipt caused her much
uneasiness. She questioned Mating
ly about it when he returned that night
Mattingly was plainly agitated by the
questions, but tried to pass the delivery
OF the package of as Joke Of some Of
his friends in Los Angeles. His manner
was not convincing. however, and his
wife began TO read in this and actions
that formerly excited no suspicion a
disturbing significance. she asked him
among other things, how it was that
he had married her under the name OF
Seymour Mattingly and not William
Seymour Mattingly, as he was known in
NicksbUrE. Mattingly said that he was
not baptized William, that it was a
name given him by an aunt, and that
he had no right 10 use il.
Mrs. Mattingly was not satisfied
with his explanations. however. and be-
gan TO investigate his career with the
assistance OF lawyers She was almost
prostrated TO learn. shortly after. this
inquiry began. that Mattingly was mar
ried TO a woman named TesSie Nc
DonOugh in Kentucky in 1873, and that
this woman was still living with him
when she first visited Los Angeles from
Nicksburg Mattinglv, 81 developed
hao sent for his first wife from the
South after locating in Los Angeles
. and left her in the latter city when he
. came to san Francisco to marry the
Nicksburg widow in the early part OF
last year Mattsnglys first wife was
OF course. not acquainted with this
second marriage until she heard from
the lawyers of the second wife. After
that the two women corresponded, and
the first wife gave an intimate and de-
tailed record Of her life with Mattingly
The couple never had any children. Ac-
cording to the woman they had never
ouarreled or had any material diner
eDces. and had lived life in which there
were no. regrets so far as she was con-
scerned. She had never suspected Mat
tingly Of firing of her, she said, and
was as devoted to him as when they
were first married.
An Obvious note Of defense for Mat.
tingly ran throughout the letters. writ
ter by his first wife, and the second
woman whom he had deceived could no'
help but admire the spirit OF loyalty
they displayed. Her pity for the woman
grew, and she finally decided 70 take M
action against Mattingly. She simply
separated from him and Mattingly wen
to Seattle He has been writing to hei
from that city continually since. All oi
. his letters abound in terms OF endear
ment and avowals OF unalterable devo
tioa. In. August he wrote that he haC
Instituted divorce proceedings agains
his first wife and would soon be in 8
position to claim the second and be fires
Of all legal obstacles. This letter wal
dated August 15 and addressed. IN.
dear wife" In IL he wrote:
~ s'In regard to. the most important fac
for you and myself in the near future
can now report that Il is progressing
very well. Ny attorney has ali the pa
pers made out and signed UP by myself
and published in one of the local pa
pers. am having. him push the mat
ter all he can, as ] am more than anx
ious about it for our happiness. Oh,
do want you with me. Mildred, so much
Il would not lose you for the world.
am going to do everything in my powel
to make you happy"
Another letter. received less than
month ago. told that Mattingly wal
then living at sos Madison street, Sc
attic. He said his attorney was Z. II
Abel and that he expected to have thu
divorce granted at Montesano, Wash.
in a few weeks time.
Among the evidence secured b.
Deputy Harrison for presentation L
the Grand Jury are these and other let
ters addressed TO Mrs. Mildred Goffe
Martingly. The marriage license ans
certificate Of W. s. Mattingly and Tessi'
McDonough, dated April 12, 1875. hal