Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1915-08-05
Court Holds
Harry Avery
$1,000 Bonds
Must Appear at Septem-
Der Term of Superior
Court to Answer the
Charge of Bigamy


Harry Avery was before Judge Lam
caster in the municipal court Wednes-
day morning to answer to a charge OF
bigamy. Avery was arrested Tuesday
night on a warrant sworn out on COM
plant of Fred H. Lyford charging
bigamy. Judge Lancaster ordered the
respondent to furnish bonds to the
amount of $1,000 for his appearance at
the September term OF the superior
court. At late hour last night he had
been unable to furnish the bonds and
was lodged in the Kennebec county
Jail to await the converting Of the SUI
perior court.
Webs Augusta Girl
Harry Avery came to Augusta sew
eral months ago and was married Sun
day, June 6, to Hazel Sunshine Irene
Lyford. Some time ago the young
woman's father was given cause to
believe that Averys first wife was
living and that Avery was not di-
vorced from her. Last week Avery dis
appeared and his one-time Augusta
associates did not know where he had
gone. He came into the city on the
o'clock train Tuesday evening and late
in the evening was placed under ar
rest by the deputy marshal with three
officers.
The courtroom was crowded to the
doors, all the seats were taken, and
many people were obliged to stand.
Samuel Titcomb appeared as attorney
for the respondent.
Mr.. Lyford's Testimony
The only testimony introduced at
the hearing was that Of the complain
ant, Fred H. Lyford of this city. for
merly Of Oakland. Mr.. Avery did not
take the stand.
Mr.. Lyford testified that he had
known Avery since January or Feb
ruary last and that Avery had at
tended the Penney Memorial church.
of which Mr.. Lyford's daughter was
a member. According to the testimony
Lyfords daughter thought that she
was married to Mr.. Avery. Mr.. Lyford
did not attend his daughters wedding
and was not invited to attend.
He%w was shown q certified copy OF
the marriage certificate OF Avery TO
Cathsr4ne Mclaughlin Of Adrian
Mich. which marriage is alleged TO
have taken place on Aug. 20, 1906. he
had procured this copy from the city
clerk at Adrian, Mich. Mr.. Lyforo
stated that he wrote letter 70 the
woman mentioned in the certincate'
asking for information regarding
Avery who had gone through the
marriage ceremony with bis daughter.
Say. Avery Claimed Divorce
He testified that he had spoken to
Avery regarding his former marriage
and Avery admitted that he had been
married previously but stated that ne
had separated from his first wife ana
thew had been divorced and that ne
had the bill Of divorce, but Mr.. Ly-
ford never asked Avery to show the
,iu If divorce. He testified that Avery
went away a week ago last MONDAY
and did not tell where he was gong.
Avery and Mr.. Lyford's daughter hao
been living on Quimby street.
Reply from Other Woman
Mr.. Lyford stated that he received
| letter from Mrs. Harry Avery Oh
Adrian, Mich, and the letter was
,hown to the court. According to the
testimony, Avery had shown Mr.. Ly-
ord's daughter letter purporting 10
firm the death of his first wife; ana
m original draft Of an obituary no
ice. which the respondent intended TO
ave printed in Augusta was intro
luced in evidence. ,
The letter received from Mrs. Harry
VERY OF Adrian. Mich. was then read
" the complainant. Mrs. Avery OF Al,
ian claimed in the letter that she naa
cen married to Mr.. Avery on Aug. ~,
eos at Adrian, Mich. and that II ne hao
married. Mr.. Lyford's daughter she wou'o
elm make him pay the penalty. In
ostscript she stated that her folks lived
: Adrian, Mich. but that she was wolh-
ne in Cleveland, Ohio.
I1non cross-exanination by AttorheS
,itcomb, Mr.. Lyford testified tnat nc
,oved to the city last December from
,ak,and and that he had seen mucn OF
vary hut had disliked him from tne
rst. He had not believed Avery's SO
-. ana Objected to his daughters mar
w,ns The man. He stated that ne aio
=. attend his. daughters wedding but