Rensselaer Union, Volume 7, Number 42, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 8 July 1875 — A Modern Bine-Beard. [ARTICLE]

A Modern Bine-Beard.

In his interesting “ Memorials of Millbank and Chapters in'Trjson History,” Capt. Griffiths tells the following story of one of toe old inmates of Millbank, which shows that it is pot always beauty, wealth and moral worth that win a woman's heart. The hero, who is called B, had taken his diploma as surgeon, and had practiced as such in many parts of the country. His offense was bigamy on a large scale—rhe was guilty of a series o heartless deceptions, so that it was said the scene in court when this Blue Beard was finally arraigned, and all his victims appeared against him was painful in the extreme. He was brought to book by the friend of a young lady to whom he was trying to pay his attentions. This gentleman, 'being somewhat suspicious, made inquiries, and discovered enough to have B arrested. Four different certificates of marriage were put in evidence. It seemed that, although already married in Cornwall, he moved thence ana took a practice in another county, where he became acquainted with a lady residing in the neighborhood who hail a little money of her own. He made her an offer, married her, and then found that by marriage she forfeited the annuity she previously enjoyed. After d short time he deserted her, having first obtained possession of all her clothes, furniture, trinkets and so forth, which he sold. His next affair was on board an East Indiaman bound to Calcutta, in which he sailed as surgeon—wishing, doubtless, to keep out of the way for a while. Among the passengers was a Miss B, only fifteen years of age, who was going out to the East with her mother and sisters. He succeeded in gaining her affections and obtained the mother’s consent to the marriage on arrival at Calcutta, He made out by means of fraudulent documents prepared on purpose that he had inherited £5,000 from his father and offered to settle £3.000 on his bride. The marriage came off in due course at Calcutta and then the happy pair returned to England. Soon after "their arrival B deserted his new wife in a hotel in Liverpool. Before long he began the affair which led to his detection. B is remembered in Milibank as a man of considerable attainments. He was well educated and spoke several languages. One of his favorite feats was to write the Lord’s Prayer on a scrap of paper not larger than a sixpence in five different languages. In his appearance there was nothing to justify his success with the female sex. If anything he was plain, thereby' supporting Wilkes, who asserted that he was only five minutes behind the bestlooking man in a room. In complexion B. was dark, almost swarthy; in figure, stout. He could not be called even gentlemanlike in his bearing. Hut he had a good address; spoke well and readily, and he was extremely shrewd and clever. As a prisoner liis conduct was all that could be desired. He passed on like the rest eventually to Australia, where he again married.