The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1875-02-09
A PENITENTIARY ROMANCE.

A WEDDING AT THE COLUMBUS, OHIO, PENN
TFNTIARY-THE MARRIAGE OF TWO UNDER
PECULIAR CoNDITIoNs-A DISTINGUISHED
AssEMBLAGE OF GUESTS.
A Columbus, O., special to the Cincinnati
Commercial on the 3lst ult. gives the fol-
lowing account of peculiar wedding IN that
CITY: A marriage ceremony took place in
this city to-day, under line OF circum-
stances parallel to which, perhaps, never
has been eQualed in all the histories OF ro-
nance. 1t was the marriage of two pententi-
sry cOnvicts, and was celebrated In the prison
chapel at the close of the regular services
The parties. Thomas Miles and Annie Scott,
came to the prison from Newark, Licking
county, in May, 1873, under two years
sentence, each for burglary. Annie is 80
years of age, and is the daughter OF Peter
Scott. now living in Coshocton county.
About year before her imprisonment, she
was keeping house near Newark for a man
named Frank Walker, q widower with three
children. She went with Walker to New
ark in the night season, and broke into a
Touring mill and stole two sacks of flour
which was used in Walkers house. Some
time after, Thomas Miles, canal boatman,
who was then engaged to our heroine, burg
lariously stole five hams from a smoke
house. The three persons were arrested,
and all arraigned at the same term of court.
Miles and Walker were found guilty of their
crimes and sentenced, while Annie was told
BIZ the prosecuting attorney that she might
go home; but she asked that the Indictment
might be read to her, to which she pleaded
guilty, saying that If Miles, her lover, went
to prison she wanted to go with him. She
was accordingly sentenced for two years, the
same term that Miles received. They were
sent up to Columbus, and have since been
exemplary prisoners in the penitentiary. A
few months since Annie,
EVER MINDFUL OF HER vows,
and anxious about her betrothed, made in
quiries of her guard if Miles was still In
prison, it being the first time she had asked
concerning him since her imprisonment.
The guards curiosity was aroused, and a
little Investigation revealed the plot which
had hitherto been unknown to the prison
officers. On learning that they were each
of the same mind On the subject of their
marriage, as before coming behind the
prison bars, IL was arranged that their we'd
ding should take place on the day
of the expiration of their sentence,
which. fell upon the 31st of January
some time having been gained by a
strict observance of prison discipline. Since
tue arrangements for the extraordinary occa'
sion were made, the parties were allowed an
] interview, in the presence of the warden, and
II Is drawing it mild to say that 1t was ar
afectionate meeting, after separation o.
nearly two years, with only the stone walls
of the prison between them. Some few
weeks ago the local reporters OF this city
gave the occasion a grstuitous advertise
ment, and an account Oft fell into the hands
| of a wealthy lady named Wilson, who tool
a compassionate fancy to Annie, and hal
sent her very handsome travelling suit, II
which to start again into the world. Th'
ceremony took place to-day, Immediately
after the regular chapel services. Member
OF tho legislature, the municipal authorities
citizens and convicts, in all about two thou
sand persons, witnessed the occasion. Chap
lain Ferguson ofliciated, and did it up IN
very handsome manner. The couple brooke'
the staring gaze Of, 600 eyes with remarka
, BILE fortitude, and seemed to enjoy the occa
sion as much as the eager spectators. A col
, lection box was placed at the door, and a.
ter the exit of the visitors about forty do
: lars was found therein, which was given
the bride. Thomas and Annie are guests (
night at a second-class hotel. During Cd
!, afternoon they were escorted through I'll
legislative halls by Representative McKinle-