WEDDING AT HOME.

Waikato Times, Volume 102, Issue 17242, 29 October 1927, Page 14 (Supplement)

WEDDING AT HOME.

A MUCH-MARRIED MAN. An allegation that her husband had four or five wives in America was made by the wife of Barnett Muscoaged 65, a presser, who was charged at tho Old Bailey with bigamy. Mr Levy', prosecuting, said the case turned on the question as to whether Muscovitch’s marriage in Poland in i 880 was legal or not. Leah Muscovitch, of Jubilee Street, Stepney, said the marriage took place in 1880 under a canopy in her mother’s house at Lodz, Poland. *lt was a proper marriage,” she said. dhe rabbi pronounced the benediction and gave us wine to drink, first to the bridegroom and then to me. After that the glass was smashed according to the Jewish ceremony. The bridegroom put the ring on my finger and my relations and friends present wished me luck."

She and her husband came to England 45 years ago, and they had ten children. He left her about 20 years ago. Sarah Evalanka, a widow, of Adler Street. Whitechapel, said she married Muscovitch at an East End registry office in July, 1926. Mr Harris (defending) : Has he treated you well —He has not treated me had. He is a lovely man. (Laughter.) Muscovitch went into the bos and gave his version of the Polish “marriage.” All that happened, he said, was that one summer night there was a party at which two uncles, one brother, and the mother of Mrs Muscovitch were present. After the party they left him and the girl together. The jury found Muscovitch guilty. Sergeant Fairweathcr said that the Jewish Society for the Protection of Women and Girls had received many complaints about Muscovitch from women in tho United Slates. Threo women at least had written alleging that ho had gone through a form of marriage with them and that they were left with children by him. The Recorder postponed sentence in order that the validity of the Polish marriage might be decided by tho Court of Criminal Appeal. Bail was allowed-