Democratic Sentinel, Volume 14, Number 7, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 7 March 1890 — A BIGAMIST AT 17. [ARTICLE]

A BIGAMIST AT 17.

Arrest of a Buffalo Youth Who Has One Wife Too Many. At Buffalo, N. Y., George Riehl, a youth of 17, is charged with bigamy. In December, 1888, Riehl married Martha Kurts, the ceremony being performed by the Rev. Mr. Ackerman of St. Mark’s Methodist Episcopal church. He left her in a few months. Some time ago Martha secured a warrant charging him with nofi-support, but the case did not come before the police court. Early in 1889 Riehl went to work for Mrs. Schick of East Genesee street, and during the time he was employed there fell in love with her 17-year-old daughter Lizzie, an exceedingly pretty girl. In June Lizzie and George went through the marriage ceremony at the church of the Seven Dolors and lived together. Riehl tired of his new love and went hack to his wife. Lizzie would not have this, and appealed, and George returned only to go back once again. The second Mrs. Riehl got tired of this and applied for a warrant charging her lover with bigamy. George promised to return to his fair Lizzie and be good and true, but she said that she had seen enough of his perfidy. Lizzie wouldn’t listen, and told George to leave her forever. She threatened to have him arrested for bigamy and soon after proceeded to carry out her threat. George and his father hastened after the irate Lizzie and appeared in the police court five minutes after the warrant had been issued. Mr. Riehl, Sr., swore out a warrant against the girl, charging her with a violation of that part of the bigamy law providing for “punishment of consort.” He alleges that Lizzie was cognizant of the fact of his son’s first marriage.