Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1919-04-17
WATERlOO MAN lNvElGlES
YOUNG WOMAN INTO lLLE-
GAL MARRIAGE.
EATS DINNER WITH. LEGAL
WIFE; GOES TO We DOING
Nsrvy Martinez Stunt Pulled OF
By Robert E.. Po~eil--Arrsstea at
Ham pton While Wife No. Was
Displaying TO Relatives and Friends
-Powstt Father Of Two ch'ldrsn.

display OF nerve ldlleu 10 save fNp"'fN
e. Powell from arrest Tuesday upon a
charge Of bigamy.
Altho. Powell is only % years old he
has two wives and two children by
wife number one. Wife number two
was acquired at .: 80 o'clock Saturday
afternoon about two hours after he
had eaten dinner with wife number
one.
In order TO get away for the time
being with the second marriage. he
proved himself an exceptionally clever
actor and told a series Of wonderful
stories, which included one about ne
ing a native of France and born with
in two miles OF Verdun.
In fact the whole story seems to
run largely by twos, as he was also
the second husband for wife number
two. And if ne hadn't told too many
lies and II wife number TWO hadn't
talked too much, in addition TO getting
married. he might have eluded the
officers 20 cleverly for them TO bring
him to this city TO stand trial for hav-
ing two wives.
The soul mate stun sprouted while
ne was EN- ployed in the sausage room
al the Rath Packing Company's plant.
There was a dainty little maiden
working at the plant who was named
Geneva Fern Pattee. While she was
only 20 years old. she had already been
married and divorced That is why ler
original name is Geneva AldrIch. for
merly OF Hampton.
Robert and Geneva fell In love and
told the other about it. The maids
frst marriage had been disappoint-
ing, but now she had found her soul
mate. Robert told the maid ne had also
been married and divorced and had a
little boy who was cared for by sis
ter. For some reason he neglected 10
mention the second child.
Some time ago a neighbor became
suspicious Of Powell and warned Gen
eva against him. He told her ne knew
Powell was married and had seen him
with his wife and little boy. The
netghbor further told her that if she
had anything to do with Powell she
would be making the mistake OF her
life and would get into trouble.
Upon receiving this good advice, the
young lady took her tip to heart to
such an extent that she told Powell
what her neighbor had said and told
her sweetheart that she was thru with
him and their rainbow had faded.
This information drew upon Powell
cleyerness to such an extent that he
took his son down town with him one
evening, hired an unknown woman to
pretend she was his French sister and
was caring for the boy. They visited
Geneva and pretended to carry on q
conversation in French 10 convince her
they were all they claimed to be. Pow
ell, it Ii said. does not know a word
of French, and the chances are his
companion didn't either. but the
imitation was strong enough TO con-
vince the maid that the neigh0or was
liar and that her lover was telling
the truth.
When their little quarrel had been
cleveriy patched in this manner, both
decided to get married. Last Friday
evening was set for the date Of the
event, but there was a slight hitch in
the program.
A short time ago Mrs Powell found
a sealed envelope in her husbands
coat pocket. The envelope was ad
dressed 10 Hampton in delicate fem
mime hand and aroused Mrs. Powell's
suspicious. Il is presumed the letter
was written by Geneva TO her parents
in Hampton, advising them Of her ap-
preaching marriage and that she would
soon bring her prize to their home for
them to see. Powell told his wife the
letter was given him 10 mali by girl
who worked at the plant, named Cen
eva Aidrich. and he had forgotten 70
mail it.
Powell had an acquaintance named
Fred Aldrich. The acquaintance knew
very little about Powell, excepting
what that individual had himself told
him. Consequently when Powell visit
Cd him Friday afternoon and asked
him to swear TO an affidavit so he
could get marriage license. he had no
hesitancy about acting in the matter.
However. ne could not leave his job
Just then and by the time he was at
liberty il was too late to get into the
clerks office to procure a license.
AS this event was unexpected. the
bride had informed a friend at the
packing house that they were to be
married that evening. That was why
their fellow workers visited them in
the evening and celebrated with tin
pans. COW bells, etc. The young couple
did not inform their friends Of their
error. as they thought the stunt might
as well be over with then as later.
Powell spent the evening with the
bride elect and returned to his wife
and family about ~ o'clock. midnight.
The next morning he Informed his
wife he was going to lay off from work
that day and enjoy vacation. He
did. Accompanied by Aldrich he Wis
tied the clerks office and secured the
ee.atad license.
In securing the license. he changed
his name and age, stating his name
was r. c. Powelle and his age &c.
After securing the license, he re-
turned home and ate dinner with his
wife and family. His wife says he
appeared nervous and ate little. When
ne had finished, he said there were a
few of his things he wanted to take
down town with him and got his flash
light, razor and several personal ef-
fleets. Then. leaving his wife with the
two children and a thin dime to sup
port them. he left to marry the other
woman.
8 The marriage ceremony was per-
formed about =; 80 O'clock in the after
noon by Rev. q. l.. Serrill at Christian
church parsonage Powell told Rev.
eerrill he was native Of France and