A.B. Fortney, attorney of Mecklenburg county, and who was principal of the Mackeys school in this county during the 1922-23 session, was given a hearing here Tuesday before Zeb Vance Norman under a charge of bigamy. No disposition of the matter was made except that he was required to give bond in the sum of $1,500 for his appearance here in the July term of superior court. His attorney, Mr. Newell of Charlotte, made a motion to transfer the case to Durham county where the alleged violation is said to have taken place. Judge Norman stated that he would lay the facts before Judge Cranmer who will conduct the July term, and let him pass upon the matter of transferring the case.
Fortney did not give his version of the latter. The young lady, Miss Ardine Bount, gave a straightforward clear account. She alleged that she was a pupil of Fortney at the time he conducted the Mackeys School and during the spring of 1923 his attention to her became noticeable. He explained at that time, according to her testimony, that he was married but was suing for divorce. She attended summer school at Greenville and while there was visited by Fortney, who claimed that he would procure a divorce in about a month and would marry her. In November of the same year he again saw her in Greenville while attending a teachers’ convention, claiming that he had obtained a divorce. From then until January 4, 1924, they maintained correspondence. He then took her to Durham where she claimed they were married and spent two days and nights in the Malbourne hotel. At that time she was a teacher in the Wenona school, and upon leaving Durham returned there to complete her month of school. After completing her month of school duties, she joined him in Oxford where he was teaching school and practicing law. They lived in separate places, she being known to the public as his stenographer, he assigning as the reason that he did not want certain people to know that he was married. She respected his wishes in this matter, she claims, because she had confidence in him. they then went to Charlotte where he engaged in the practice of law and they lived as man and wife.
She knew nothing, she says, of the marriage being bigamous until the fall of 1924, at which time he became displeased with her and told her that their marriage was void for the reason that he had not obtained a divorce from his wife who was living in South Carolina.
In about two weeks after learning this situation, and as soon as she could secure sufficient funds to do so, she left him and returned to her father’s home near Mackeys, where a child was born. She kept her secret from her father until he found a letter from Fortner, which aroused his suspicions. He then questioned her and upon learning her condition immediately swore out a warrant and had Fortner arrested in Charlotte. He gave bond and appeared here for a hearing last Tuesday.
At the conclusion of the State in the case, Fortner’s lawyer, Atty. Newell of Charlotte moved to dismiss the action for lack of evidence and filed a plea in abatement both of which were denied. Fortner’s bond of $1,500 was continued at the assent of Mr. Thomas, his bondsman, of Charlotte, for his appearance here in July.
Atty. H.V. Austin of this place, appeared with the state as private council for the prosecution.
From the front page of The Roanoke Beacon, Plymouth, N.C., Friday, May 22, 1925
newspapers.digitalnc.org/lccn/sn92074055/1925-05-22/ed-1/seq-1/#words=April%2C+18+1925