The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1907-11-05
Is He a Bigamist?

Is he B1gam1SrI
The claim of wife No. that her hu
band is bigamist, is Of interest to Peep
in this section, and the facts have furnisl
ed headline sensation during the pa
week
AS sequel to the manner in which job
A. Gillespie and Miss Elizabeth Dietricl
J both of Riverside, who were married {
midnight on October II, came lettt
from the alleged first wife, living at Sout
Bethlehem, Pa, who claims that Gillespi
married her in July, 1888, at Mount Holly
Until the last minute, 1t is said, Gillei
pie forgot his promise to marry Miss Die
rich, and the hasty manner in which b
got justice out of his bed to perforr
the ceremony, added notoriety to the re
nance.
After the story had been published i
the newspapers, letter came to SOUR
Stevenson, of Beverly, in which Mrs. Gil
lespie asked for description of the man
The woman stated she had married Gil
lespie and that six years ago she was com
PEELED to leave him on the ground of non
support.
Believing the woman's story to be true
Squire Stevenson turned over all data il
his possession to Prosecutor Atkinson
whose investigation may lead to prose
cution for bigamy.
In her letter Mrs. Gillespie refers tC
George D. Worrell, of Mount Holly, Mr.
and Mrs. Charles Beecher, of Riverside,
and others as people who were acquainted
with her character. From these people
much was learned to substantiate the let
ter written by Mrs. Gillespie. They
knew the latter before her marriage, she
then being Miss Lillian NJ. Bishop, the
daughter of Mr.. and Mrs. John Bishop,
living near Jobstown.
1t is said the second wife was greatly
depressed when she learned the sequel OF
her marriage. Although she knew of a
previous wife, she had been informed
that her husband had secured divorce.
In spite of the fact that the records of
the Methodist Church show that John A.
Gillespie and Miss Lillian M. Bishop were
married in July, 1888, at Mount Holly,
he makes an emphatic denial of all the
allegations contained In the letter which
the Bethlehem woman wrote to Squire
Stevenson, who performed the second
marriage.
Gillespie learned the plumbing trade
with the father of George d. Worrell,
and continued in the employ of the son,
who said he knew of the marriage at the
time, and that Miss Bishop was young
lady of excellent character.
The following Is from the Philadelphia
Press, dated South Bethlehem, Pa, Oc-
tober 80:
"Gillespie came here this evening and
called on Mrs. Lillian Gillespie, who
claims to have been married to him In
1888, and from whom she says she has
never been divorced.
MRS. Gillespie was in the kitchen when
she heard strange footsteps. She opened
5he door and stood face to face with her
alleged husband.
"'Do you want to see me 2 exclaimed
,he man.
why, no, John, said Mrs. Gillespie.
g What have you done !?
" It's no difference what have DONE
replied Gillespie, What are you going to
arrest me for z"
''Mrs. Gillespie said she never threaten
ID to have her supposed husband arrested
ind asked him if it were true that he was
mar, d. He replied that he was not, but
was ing to be married, to which remark
Mrs UIllespie replied he was not telling
he truth, that he was already married.
''Gillespie then said he had purposely
,ome to Pennsylvania to give the woman
/ chance to have him arrested, and if she
lid not he would have her arrested. Then
he left the house. As he left Mrs. Gillespie
;alled out: Good by, John; if you treat
Elizabeth as you have me, pity her,