Los Angeles herald., 1908-05-23
ALL HIS WIVES
ACCUSE PRISONER
WILLIAM WILDE C0NFR0NTS
WRONGED WOMEN
THRICE MARRIED MAN HELD
UNDER HEAVY BOND
TWO Of His Spouses Meet and Are
Soon on Friendly Terms, but
the Third Holds
Aioof

Calm and unabashed, William Dean
Wilde was confronted in Justice Aus
tins court yesterday by three women,
each one of whom a week ago believed
herself to be his lawful wife. Each
one was armed either with a wedding
certificate or a marriage license.
Mrs. Ruth jacques Wilde, the first
and therefore the legal wife, and Miss
Leila Warren, the second woman whom
he married. sat together in the court
room and chatted amiably. Although
they had never met before. they seemed
to like each other at once, and left
the court room together.
Miss Beatrice Pitt, whom Wilde is
said to have married as late as March
21, 1908, and with whom he was living
at the time of his arrest, sat by her
self and glared at the other two. NO
word was exchanged between the two
who sought each others society as a
mutual refuge for their troubles ana
the woman whose honeymoon with
Wilde was barely over
Gave Bad Check for Care of Child
Wilde was arrested on a charge or
attempting to pass worthless check
on Mrs. e. Wiles. 1249 West Fourth
street, in payment for the care OF one
of his children. While investigating
this charge the police came upon the
remarkable matrimonial history of the
man.
In the preliminary examination pe-
fore Justice Austin Mrs. Ruth Jacques
Gulick Wilde, 23 years old, was the
first witness.
She said: 1.-The defendant and 1 were
married in Brooklyn, N. r., July 10,
1906, by Rev. Harry Pethic. A license
is not required in the state OF New
York, but / have my wedding certifi-
cate. We lived together till March .,
1907. We have two children, one nearly
2 years old, and the other months.
I am now living at Shoemaker's ranch,
Los Angeles, where 1 have employ
ment."
HAS this marriage ever been an
nulIed?" asked Deputy District Attor-
ney c. w. Pearson.
1T never has BEEN"
Mrs. Wilde Is an attractive young
woman with light hair and very plue
eyes. Her demeanor on the stand was
quiet and self-possessed and In strik-
ing contrast to that of the next wit :
ness, Miss Beatrice Pitt, who appeared
very nervous and on the verge of tears.
She gave her testimony in a positive
manner, but in so low voice that
Justice Austin requested her to raise
the heavy veil above her lips and
speak louder.
"What are your relations with the
defendant" said the prosecutor.
Says She Is His Wife
'I am his wife," was the reply. 1--WE
were married in San Diego last March.
We lived on Figueroa street Till the
time of his arrest. l went to the court
house with him to procure the license"
Several times she cast a glance at
Wilde, who nodded encourag1ngly TO
her.
Wilde was not represented by coun-
sci and after the examination of each
witness he was asked If he had any
questions to put to the witness After
a long pause he answered no in so
low voice that those who sat within
a few feet of him were unable to catch
his reply.
Miss Leila Warren was not called to
the stand, as her testimony would have
proved immaterial
Until recently Wilde was division
traffic manager and chief operator for
the Pacific Telephone and Telegraph
company. 1t was Wilde who installed
the telephone service on the battleship
Connecticut when the fleet arrived at
San Pedro.
He was held to answer to the SUI
perior court In $500 bonds.