REMARKABLE BIGAMY CASE.

Evening Post, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 73, 26 March 1912, Page 4

REMARKABLE BIGAMY CASE.

WIFE'S CONFESSION. I i- t / [fbosi ova own cobbespondent.] LONDON, 9th February. 1 The sequel to the Parehall nullity euit I heard in the Divorce Court a, few weeks ago, is now being enacted at Bow -street. Deborah Jeffreys (33), smartly dressed, staying at an hotel in Upper Bedfordplace, was charged, on her own confession, before. Sir A. de Rutzen, with bigamy— having married Horace Field Parehall, a v«ry well-known Lpndon electrical engineer, at the 'Registrar's Office, Elham-, Kent, on the sth August last, her first husband, Herbert Harrington" Jeffreys, being still alive. Mr. W. R. Bennett, solicitor, said the young wife had surrendered on his advice. Her second "marriage" was contracted at the suggestion of her husband, who promised never to trouble her if she would give him the money she. had saved and her house and furniture. In June last he got the house and furniture, and £600, which she had in the bank. Soon after the August marriage an anonymous letter came to Air. Parshall and eh© confessed to him. He said he must leave her, but he would provide for her. She had not seen him since. Divisional-detective Inspector Gough put in the confession. "I wish to give myself up to the police for bigamy. It is worrying me, and I can't sleep at night. 41 1 married mv first husband on 23rd July, 1904, at the Registry Office, Fulham. He has lived on me for years and never did a stroke of work for three years. He used to give me ii good thrashing if I didn't give him money. "In January, 1911, 1 was introduced to my second husband bjr some friends. He asked me to marry him, and I told my husband so,' and my husband urged me on to marry him, as he, had plenty of money, and if I married again I could lead a, respectable life, providing I gave him what imoney I had. I had been getting my living on 1 the streets during my first marriage. " During the time my second ' husband ' was making love to me, my first husband prevailed upon me to' make over to him all my effects, including nearly £600 which 1 had in the London and Provincial Bank, Stamford Hill. 1 never told my' second 'husband' that I was married, as my first husband had threatened to kill me if I did, and made me introduce him as my brothor-in-law. ' ■- " I left my fust husband in June, 1911, with the understanding that 1 should get married. I went to the Pier Hotel, Folkestone, where I receivod about three letters from my first husband — all asking for money. I ignored them. I decided to marry my second 'husband,' and did so on sth August, 1911. " I subsequently found that my second 'husband ' had received an anonymous letter to the effect that he would be sorry he. had taken such a step with Buch a woman. And in consequence I told him tho truth. That I had previously married, and that in reality th* man I had introduced to him as my brother-in-law was in fact my husband. " Having • told my ' husband ' everything, I left him, and he made provision for me, and has since had the marriage annulled- in the 1 High Court. " I have not seen my first husband since 1 left 'him in June, but I believe he i« still alive. I wish to add that when marrying my second ' husband ' 1 gave tho name of Bertha Johnoon, -which name my first husband made ihe use." The Chief Magistrate granted a remand, bail in £10. At tho hearing of 'Mr. Pdrshall'3 nullity suit it was stated that he and the defendant lived quite happily after the marriage till Mr. Parshall received an anonymous letter, together with a cutting of the announcement of his marriage which he had inserted in The Times. The letter was as follows: — "Is not this indiscreet, considering the character of the woman you have been so foolish as to marry? Retribution will follow." Not being able to understand this, Mr. Parshall showed the letter to hia wife, who then confessed. A decree of nullity was granted.