The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 1850-1873, 1870-09-02
LIZZIE LANKER.
a Queer Indiana Wetlding-The Pray
cr Of n Disappointed Woman.
From the Kokomo Qnd.) Tribune


From the Kokomo Qnd.) Tribune.l
On Wednesday last a wagon arrived
I'm this city from the neighborhood Of
Middle Fork, containing the following
persons: Milton Birely, an engineer in
the saw-mill of Mr.. Morrison; Lucin-
da and Mary Ann Morrison, and Mr..
and Mrs. Donohue, the latter sister OF
Mr.. Birely. , The object of the Wis
it was to meet Miss Lizzie Lanker,
of Richmond, Ind, to whom Mr.. Bire-
ly was to be married. Having implicit
confidence in the sincerity and honor
Of Miss Lanker, he went to the clerk,
HI Winslow, proved the age of Miss l..
and secured icence. The party at the
proper time went to the train, as they
say, but failed to see Miss Lanker.
Birely was not to lose wife i'm this
way, so he proposed to Lucinda Nor
rison and was accepted. He came down
town, went to the clerk again, return
ed the license, and, upon the statement
of himself, his sister, and the sister OF
mis- sweet Lucinda, he obtained new
license. The party then sought and
found Rev. Mr.. Puckett, New Light
preacher. lately removed here, who
bound the twain in the happy bonds of
wedlock. ..r.s.as
The entire party, happy as so many
morning stars, especially Milton and
Lucinda, struck out for Middle Fork.
But Lizzie Lanker had arrived here
from Richmond and could not under
stand why her Milton was not here
She sought him, but found him not.
Lizzie was going to see about it. She
found wagon going to New London.
On this she took passage. At that
place she secured Mr.. Funk, a churn-
pedlar, to drive her to Middle Fork.
She arrived at Donohue's ten minutes
after the other party had reached that
place. When she appeared before the
door Birely appeared in the door, and
as soon as he saw who she was he turn
ed into something like a petrified man.
For time he could not move muscle,
but his eyes Or close his mouth.
Lizzie settled with Mr.. Funk, and
then walked in. Milton regained his
senses and introduced the visitor as his
wife. Lizzie took the matter more cool
ly at first than could have been expect
ed. She talked kindly, heard and made
explanations, and said "Let us pray.n
The entire party knelt. Miss Ian
htI, Will NolSC uttO1Cu bllC
following prayer:
"Our Father who art in Heaven, thou
who carest for Thy children, who low
est the fatherless, tine orphans and un-
protected, have pity on me. o give me
power to bear this affiiction, this deep
humiliation. Have mercy on this new 4
wife. While l thank thee, o God, for
my deliverance from such a tickle hus-
l,a n inI, 10 frrv-o II
would ask Thy blessing upon this poor
wife. Give her grace to bear the afiiic>
ton of such husband. Keephim from |
drink; and may he become better |
man. Watch over me, Our Father,
and preserve me from ever again ap- |
preaching so nearly to utter ruin. Give |
me strength to return to my home and |
preserve my sex from such men. Hear |
me and keep me i'm Thy love. Amen"
After this prayer, Lizzie, who had APP
peared to he cool, showed signs of in |
tense excitement and tainted. She was
watched throughout the night; was
kindly cared for, but was not able, until
after two days, toreturn to her home.
She left this city OH Saturday for Rich
mond. HTsr0-za s. zt. "a
Mrs. Birely has since been sick and
is still in dangerous position.
Milton Bireley has now his fourth
wife, although 3Ile is not above thirty
five years old. .a4l-r D.. :. H--s
Herwas in town on Monday, looking
for situation. His wife's brother, in
whose employ he was, not being pleas
ed with the condition of things, dis
charged him. -.
The above is not a fancy sketch, but
true, as we learn it from the best au-
thority. - q. .,.. .-.---.-