Atlanta Georgian. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1912-1939, 1914-01-20
LAID
To YOUTH WHO
WE'D GIRL, II
Prisoner Said to Have at Least
Three Wives-Matrimonia Ad-
ventures Investigated.

While A, r. Williams, Of No SO
Dillon street, was calling on his bride
of two weeks. blissfully thinking she
had kept the knowledge Of their run
away wedding from her family, the
girls father J. w. Hightowcr, a mer-
chant, If Capitol avenue and Hay
good street, was quietly investigating
the past Of his son-in-law and gath
ering evidence through which he de-
eiares he will send Williams to the
penitentisry as a polygamist
The climax Of Hightower's inves
1gation came late Monday night when
the police arrested Williams at the
request Of the merchant, who said his
son-in law had two wives before he
married his 17-year-olf daughter,
Miss Georgia Hightower.
One of williams alleged wives, who
formerly was Miss Ruth Dunn, OF
Rome, Ca. went to headquarters with
Hightower late Monday night and
told Chief Beavers that she was mar
ried to Williams last February in
South Carolina, and that for the past
few months she has been living at
No. $50 Madison avenue. Williams,
she declared, left her several weeks
sgo, about the time he became infat-
uated with Miss Htghtower.
Finds Trace of Third Wife.
Mr.. Hightower also told the police
that he has unearthed information
indicating that Williams has at least
one more wife besides his own daugh
ter and wife No. /. who has been To-
Gated. In 1901, he told the police,
Williams was married to his first
wife. who is now supposed to be liv-
ing in Florida
The police are investigating WI
liams' matrimonial adventures, and
declare that they are in possession OF
information indicating that the man
may have other wives than the three
that have been located. He Is lock-
ed up in police headquarters. and the
hearing probably will be held within
few days. Tuesday morning Will
liams refused to make statement
According TO Hightower, Williams
met his daughter about a month ago,
representing himself as a Pullman
conductor, while It is said that in
reality he is a news butcher on a
train that runs out Of Atlanta
The girl became infatuated with
Williams. the father says, and the
pair planned to get married. Mr..
Hightower was unfavorably Impress
ed with Williams. and objected siren
uously. So two weeks ago Williams
and the young girl ran away and
were married, agreeing to keep the
wedding a secret for several months
until parental anger should have
abated.
Father Is Suspicious.
Mr. Hightower, however, became
suspicious when his daughter dis
missed all her other suitors and de-
voted erself 10 Williams and after
conference with her she admitted her
runaway marriage to Williams. The
father then told mis- daughter that he
was not satisfied with Williams as a
min law. and had heard that the
man had n number of wives The
daughter agreed TO say nothing to
Williams about her fathers suspi-
cions and did not tell her husband
that her father knew of the mar
risge.
So. while Williams was a danycall-
er at the Hightower home. thinking
the father Of his bride knew nothing
OF their marriage, Mr. Hightower was
spending most of his time investigat
ing the past of his son in law. After
a few days he found the Rome wife
and obtained the information about
the hrst ,.-ifn u-hn l. saLA L. liz, L.,