The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1907-01-16
RITTER SAID TO Be
HELD FOR B|GAMY
Three Wives Charged to For
mer Selma Hotel Man
COMMENDS ORPHANAGE
Two Girls Sent to Athens Female Col
lege Make Fine Records-Enjoy-
able Social Function to
Miss Straus.

Otliieis JduudiS NA'hNSANA-'f
port is that c. A. Ritter, the French
man who was assistant manager of the
Hotel Albert, is in Jail in Canada The
alleged charge against him is bigamy, II
being stated that he married on MondaH
a week ago young girl reared in
Canadian convent and that he has ALREADY
two wives living, one of whom lives III
Panama and has two children.
1t will be recalled that while in Selma
Mr.. Ritter gave an entertainment Tor
the benefit of the Orphans Home, in
which views were displayed of the digging
of the canal at Panama whether the
tales as to his multiplicity of wives Is
true or not is not confirmed, but 1t $
a matter of court record that Ritter puf-
chased articles and paid for them win
the money of the Hotel Albert company
and that when preparing TO leave Selma
he endeavored and did dispose of some
of the articles purchased.
There was a desk which Ritter sold to
the Cable Piano company, which lie
claimed as his personal property. IL was
ascertained shortly after he LETT Selma
that the desk had been paid for by the
Hotel Albert and the bills thus declaring
were found in the bill files. 1t was nee
essary to go in court and prove the own
ership of the desk, and thus 1t was that
the whole matter has become public. \
leather couch and a quantity of cur
tains, rugs etc, that Ritter furnished
room with were recovered.
The purchases were made during the
illness of Manager Powell, since deceased,
and most of them Just prior to the Cen
trail Alabama fair when quantity Of
furnishing was bought for the hotel. 1t
is known that he wired to Selma asking
for testimonials as to reliability and that
neither of the two parties communicated
with In Selma gave him tlattering recon-
mendations. 1t is thought, however thtt
the marriage took place ana now comes
the report that Ritter had two wives
already.
orphange Girls Commended.
1t must be very gratifying to Dr. 7.
p. Whitby, Mr.. II. II. Stewart and DR.
W. p Dickinson of the executive COM
mittee and Miss Sudie Hunt, the efficient
matron of the Summerfield orphanase,
as we'll as to~all the friends of the in
stitution, to receive such letter as the
secretary and treasurer received today,
reading as follows:
Athens, Ala, January T. 1907.
Mr. H. II. Stewart. Selma, Ala.
Dear Sir:-ln looking over my corre-
spondenee, | find your communication n
which you enclosed check for the girls
holiday and | find no record of hav-
ing made proper acknowledgment. | am
sure it will be a matter of qualification
to you to know how thoroughly they en-
joyed the Christmas season and the
boards generosity. They are both good
girls. and in their rearing reflect great
credit upon Miss Hunt. If the orphanage
had never done anything but shield these
two. its work would have been truly
noble.
day your efforts have every advance
ment to be a success. Very truly yours.
MARY n. MOORE.
These two girls, Misses Dora Mae Gun
ter and Dorothy Morris, were sent to
the Athens Female college at Athens,
Ala. through the kind offices of friends
of the home who are giving them col
lege education. They have been virtually
reared in the home and are most ex-
cellent young ladies'.
Delightful Function.
One of the most enjoyable functions Of
the season was that rendered Monday
afternoon by Mrs Jake Topper in honor
of Miss Beatrice Straus of Louisville, who
is the charming guest of her uncle, Mr.
Sam Straus,
The parlors were artistically decorated
in flowers while the walls were adorned
with pictures and representations OF Ken
tucKy mementoes both the host and the
honoree being natives of the Blue Grass
State.
Six-handed euchre was played, eight tai
bles being required to seat the guests.
Mrs. Sam Straus was the lucky win
ner of the married ladies' trophy, beau
tful handkerchief. The young ladies'
prize was won by Miss jeanette Meyer
Miss Straus the honoree. was presented
with a beautiful silver loving cup, and
each guest was presented with souve-
mir in the shape of tiny jugs, bearing the
inscription: Good Spirits / rom Old Ken.