Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1919-10-06
gets. ! !. RELIGION R'||E||: ] G. ON
brink. / ..O||||F: SUICIDE
Saved From Self Destruc-
'tion by Capt. Hellwege |
of Salvation Army
BIGAMIST GIVES UP
After Turning Over Pistol Goes to
Baltimore and Faces Charge-Mar-
ried Second Wife Last Week.

q. An ex-soldier faunted by the dis
grace of facing charge of bigamy
in Baltimore yesterday morning met
caFtain j. d. Hellwege, of the Sal
Sation Army here, and unburdene ed
his troubles to Capt. Hellwege. He
told the captain that he contem-
plated going to the corner of King
and Pitt streets and blowing out
his brains. The stranger produced
"a pistol fully loaded and twelve
cartridges. explaining that he could
not afford to disgrace his mother
by facing such charge.
Capt. Hellwege reasoned with the
man, native of Michigan, twenty
two years old, and before long had
him in the hall of the Salvation
Army where he professed conver-
sion and left the hall apparently
happy saying that he intended to go
at once to Baltimore and face the
charge and pay the penalty and
herreforth lead a. new life.
Capt. and Mrs. Hellwege kept the
pistol as reminder of the remark
able conversation of the man who
was on the brink CT self destruction
ard who turned over new leaf at
the psychological moment.
The following dispatch received to-
day from Baltimore tells the story of
Moerdyk giving himself UP.
Baltimore, Oct. 6.-Having been
dissuaded by Salvation Army cap
tain in Alexandria, Va, from ending
his life because he is alleged to have
committed biganry, Cornelius Moer-
dyk, twenty-five years old, walked
up 10 the desk at the central police
station yesterday afternoon and ask
ed if a warrant had been issued for
him. A few minutes later:Moerdyk
was formally accused of bigamy.
An hour later Mrs. Hazel L. Paul
Moepdyk almost collapsed when she
heard the prisoner, whom she mar
risd. less than o week ago, declare
that his legitimate wife, whom; he
married, less, than year ago, is now
living in; GIatnd Rapids, Mich.
The alleged bigamous marriage
took place on. September 80 and was
Witnessed BY, members, of Miss'Pauks.
family. Moerdyk came here, several
months ago land was, employed at
Camp Holabind His foreman was an
uncle Of Miss Paul. Several weeks
ago Moerdyk, according to his con-
fession, became ! engaged, to Miss
PAUL Az week; ago yesterday he re-
csived telegram from his wife, Mrs.
Anie Mondyk, telling him that she
was i'll and asking MIN to return
home Immediately! = !
On the day. he received the message
from Ghis, western wife his fiancee
here nformed him that her wedding
trousseau was complete, SO the mar
riage ceremony was performed two
days later. -
81 was unable to- bear the torture
any longer" Noerdyk told the police
every hour after my marriage tc
Miss Paul l Thought or the telegram
sent me by my: wife in the West, and
on Saturday, after realizing what
wrong I had done, I decided to end
my life. Both Of the women I married
are good women and i have wronged
both. I bought pistol Saturday and
went away from the city, intending tc
kill myself. -
4 got as far as Alexandria, Va.
where | stopped few minutes to lis.
ten to service conducted by the Sal
walton Army. After the meeting was
over went to the Salvation Army
captain and told him that l had in.
tended to kin myself. He asked mt
my. trouble and I told him. He asket
me for the pistol and I gave it to hin
He told me to come back to Balti
more and Surrender, so here I am."