COURTSHIP ON THE OCEANIC.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LI, Issue 15551, 7 March 1914, Page 2 (Supplement)

COURTSHIP ON THE OCEANIC.

AMAZING CONFESSION OF BIGAMY A remarkable story of alleged bigamous marriage in New York City was investigated before Mr. Francis, at Westminster recently, William Crossiey Smith, a young man of 25, described as a chauffeurmechanic, being charged on his confession —as he put itnot knowing " that marriage in England made him otherwise than single again in America." Inspector Francis Harris deposed that the prisoner gave himself np to the police stating that he wanted to know how he stood, as he had two wives—one in England and one in New York. Adding that lie wanted to clear up the position, as Le was desirous of going back to America, prisoner voluntarily made the following statement:— "I was married in June, 1907, at Hasland Church, Hasland. to Florence Dale Moseley, with whom I lived about tiivee months. On September 13, 1912, I sailed on board the Oceanic for .New l : ork, arriving there on the 21st of that month. During the voyage, after leaving Queenstown, I made the acquaintance of a .Miss Catharine Higgins, who _ was returning to her situation with Mr. and Mrs. fccoto L. Hayes, of New York, after a holiday in Ireland. On arriving in New York Miss Higgins introduced uie to tier employer, •who offered me a berth as manager of a breeding farm, if I would consent to pass through a course of training. This I agreed to do, and I went to Cornell College, where I obtained first-class qualifications. Then I was told that I could not be appointed manager of the farm unless I married Miss- Higgins. The proposal was made by her employer, Mr. Scott Hayes, on December 21, and in his presence four days —Christmas Day —we were married at a Roman Catholic Church. I married Miss Higgins in the name of Charles Hagan, none of the parties in New York knowing What I was already a married man. being unable to get on well together, 1 left my situation and returned to England. I have come here to clear the matter up."

Harry Moseley, of Hasland, deposed that he was present at the marriage in 1907 of his sister, Florence, with the prisoner. His sister was still alive.

Addressing the magistrate, prisoner said his second marriage was quite "a business proposition" a proposition of Mr. Scott Hayes, the girl's employer. Prisoner did not know that when he took the college course to qualify a& manager of a breeding farm he would be obliged to marry the gin before he could take up the position. The marriage was really forced on him at four days' notice, he not them being aware that he was under a penalty for a prior marriage in England. In fact, he thought he was in the position of being single again in America. Mr. Francis committed the accused for trial.