The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1924-07-11
CHARGE IS
DEN|EDBY
SPOUSE
Husband of 2o-Year-Old' Is
Wanted in South Carolina.
Sheriff on Way to D. C.

Francis Frederick Cole, twenty
seven-year-old marine, was ar
rested early today at 1876 B street
northwest as fugitive from JUS
tice from Lexington, S. c., where
he is wanted on a charge of nom
support of his wife.
AS police took him away, a
young girl, living with him as
his wife, pleaded to let him go.
Il know this is all a mistake"
she told them. "Why, I'm his
wife and l didn't make any such
charges. He has supported me
and my baby and I have no COM
plant. You can't take him away"
Marine Protests.
The marine himself protested.
"It's an outrage" he told police,
II don't know anyone in Lexington,
8. c. There is some mistake"
Nevertheless, headquarters detec-
tives took Cole into custody. He
complained of being i'll and was
taken to Gallinger Hospital. Later
today he was removed to the First
Precinct police station awaiting the
arrival of the Sheriff in Lexington
who wired for his arrest.
In a little room on B street,
Mrs. Madge Cole, barely twenty
years old, told her troubles to u
Times reporter.
II don't understand what it's all
about" she said. They've taken
him away from me and left me
penniless. I don't know what I'll
do. Francis is innocent of what
ever charge they placed against
him. He hasn't any other wife.
Somebody's lying against him"
Hospital Romance
Information in the hands of police
Is that Cole has a wife, Mrs. Fairy
d. Cole, whom he married after a
hasty love affair originating in q
hospital at Charleston, S. c. They
were said to have married on Feb
ruary 13 of last year. When, told
this, Mrs. Cole, Of the B street adj
dress, said:
Nov, I'm sure it's a mistake
My baby came in January of that
most all the time. He was away
to a hospital once, but he didn't
marry anybody.
why I've been his wife since
October 10, 1921. l love him and
I know he loves me. I never for
one minute doubted him. He has
always been a true and loving hus-
band to me. I don't believe this
charge
While she talked to the reporter,
Mrs. Cole held her eighteen-month.
old baby, Dorismae in her arms.
francis is crazy about Dorisrnae,
and we've been so happy since she
came" she said.
Disabled Vet.
Cole, according 20 Mrs. Cole, was
In the marine corps for six wears
He is a disabled veteran, suffering
from lung trouble and drawing
compensation from the Govern
ment.
Francis was to go to the Naval
Hospital for treatment today" Mrs.
Cole said.
The couple came to Washington
three months ago, Cole working at
different jobs. here.
Mrs. Cole plans to take her
baby apd visit her husband today.
II Nope they don't take him
away" she said, II haven't any
money"
Mrs. Cole said that her husband
gets his compensation at the end
OF the month and she has no ex-
pectations of getting funds before
then.
Sheriff Coming Here.
Headquarters Detectives Kelly
and Scrivener found the couple to.
gether when they knocked at the
door to their room at Q O'Clock
this morning. Immediately after
erresting him, they wired to Lex.
lngton, S. C. The sheriff replied
that he would leave Immediately
Tor Washington.
Cole is said to have vigorously
denied knowing the woman in Lex.
lngton who made the charges
against him. These denials were
made at the B street house. Later
under Questioning of detectives.
Cole is said to have admitted
marrying the Lexington girl He
ls said to have declared he went
back to his first wife and forgot
all about the South Carolina girl
Whether additional charges of
bigamy will be preferred against
Cole will be decided after the ar.
rival of the Lexington sheriff.