Indiana daily times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1914-1922, 1921-05-17
Var Romance
GiUen Shock In
BigGmy Charge
Sailor Who Married Spanish
Maiden Also Wed Others,
1t Is Said.

romance of the World War that
originated ct Gibraltar, when Prosperina
Fernandez. a pretty Spanish maiden, met
Jesse E. Sterrett. sailor on one Of the
United States battleships, has gone upon
the rocks in indianapolis. and tomorrow
Sterrett win appear in city court TO an
swer to the charge of bigamy. He has
been married five times, it is alleged, and
has had only one divorce.
Mrs. Prosperina Fernandez Sterrett, e.
accompanied by Mrs. Elizabeth Hawkins,
1929 North Illinois street, appeared at
the office of women police a few days
ago, after reading in a newspaper that
Jesse F.. Sterrett, giving his age as 81
years, and address as 907 North Capitol
avenue, had married Efie Kirkendeu, p,
of 90l North East street. PrOsperina told
the policewomen that her husband had
deserted her and their two children,
Emily 2, and Hortense IL months old. She
said that he had taken the children TO
the home of his brother, Clarence Ster-
rett, Rural Route III, Terre Haute. She
said that she had just learned that her
husband had married Ehie hirkendeu on
May Z.
INTERVIEW MOST
RECENT WIFE.
Lieut.. NJ. A. Egan of the women's po-
lice department took personal charge of
the investigation. she was assisted by
Metha Davis and Ruth Robinson, pO
HcewOmen. They learned that the
Kirkenden woman was living at SGT Park
avenue since her marriage to Sterrett.
The ceremony was performed, it is said,
by the Rev. Peters. Fife Kirkendell-
Sterrett told the policewomen that she
did not know Sterret. was married.
An affidavit was sworn out for Sterrett
and he was arrested on the charge OF
bigamy. Sunday night and in city court
yesterday the case was continued until
Wednesday afternoon to give the officers
more time to complete their investigation.
Six children are the result Of Ster.etts
five marriages, the police allege. They
say that wife No. 1 was May Sterrett;
No. ?. Mable Sterrett; No. 3, Prosperina
Fernandez Sterrett; No. I, Hazel Ster-
rett, now living at $50 Olive street, New
Orleans. La; No. 5, Ehie Kirkeadell
Sterrett.
CAME TO NEW YORK
FROM GIBRALTAR.
After meeting Sterrett at Gibraltar
during the war, Prosperina Fernandez,
came to New York City where she says
she was married to him on July 6, 1918
They lived In New York until about four
months ago, when they came to Iu-
dlanapolls. For a time they remained st
the home OF Jesse E.. Sterrett's brother,
Ellsworth Sterrett, of Lawrence. Two
months ago they left that place. Pros
perina Sterrett Is now staying at the
home of her husbands aunt, Mrs. Alice
Barlow, PAST Northwestern avenue, The
police claim they have Information that
Sterrett has served a term for bigsmy
a number Of years ago. The details OF
this case. they say. are lacking and they
are invest eating to learn If it is true.
When Sterrett was questioned by Cap
tain Clara Burnsides Of the wOmen's
police department in regard to his most
recent matrimonial adventure he said:
ct had TO get married as ! had been
threatened with arrest on the charge Of
child neglect"
He failed to explain bow the most re-
cent marriage would have saved him
from arrest on a charge Of that kind.
Sterrett was unable to obtain a 5000
bond and is In jail awaiting a hearing
before Judge Walter Pritchard.