The Lake County star. [volume] (Chase, Mich.) 1873-current, 1876-03-02

Some excitement has arisen in New
buryport from the announcement that
Mr.. James Parton, the well known
author, had recently contracted a mar
riage which proves to be within the for
hidden degree of the Massachusetts,
statutes. Mr.. Parton was the third hus-
band of Fanny Fern" recently de-
ceased, and he has now contracted mar
riage with Miss Ellen Eldredge, younger
daughter of his late wife. The marriage
was solemnized in good faith by clergy
man according to the forms prescribed
by law, about a week since. The ac-
quaintanceship of the parties lacks any
element which might be supposed to
have influenced the Legislature in pro-
hibiting such marriages where there is no
blood relationship, as Miss Eldredge was
not an inmate of Mr.. Parton's household
during the lifetime of his late wife. Mr..
Parton learned of the restriction of the
law two days after the ceremony, since
which time he has lived apart from the
lady. 1t is not easy to see the remedy
for this painful state of things. A repe-
titiOn of the forms of marriage in some
other State, as New York for instance,
where the restriction does not exist has
been suggested, but under our statutes,
such marriage, made with an intent of
the parties to return and reside in this
State would be void here. An applica-
ton to the Legislature for special act
of relief has also been suggested, but it
is not certain that the Legislature has
power to pass such an act if inclined to
do so. While the Legislature has the
power to pass general laws on the subject
of marriage, the jurisdiction in any par
ticular cause of marriage rests with the
Governor and Council, if it has not been
conferred on the Supreme judicial Court,
or at least it is thought this is so. An
order was offered in the Legislature to-
day, looking to an amendment of the
general statutes so as to authorize marri-
ages of this nature.
A Tribune editorial says: The lady
whom Mr.. James Parton has married
was Miss Ellen Eldredge, younger
daughter of Mr.. Parton's former wife.
"Fanny Fern" when she first began to
use the non, de plume, was a poor widow
(Mrs. Eldredge), residing in second rate
boarding house in Cambridge, Massa.
chusetts, with two or three children, and
no means of support save pen whose
resources she had not yet learned. Hel
Fern Leaves" were written in hal
bed room in a second story back. which
was the best accommodations she and hel
children could command. Her brother
Mr.. N. p. Willis, was at that time il
New York, but scarcely SO prosperous al
he afterward became. With her increas
ing success as an authoress, Mrs. Eldredgt
came to New York. Mr.. Parton, WHIT
was somewhat her junior, was fascinated
not less by her piquant personality thar
by her literary accomplishments, anC
married her. Her daughter, Miss Eller
Eldredge, was then quite little girl
She has now grown up to take her moth
er's place, and become her stepfather'
wife, the circumstance being, as is be
lieved, almost, if not absolutely, unique
Her elder sister married Mortime
Thomson, but, dying the year after he
marriage, left her infant daughter to TIT
care OF her mother and sister. This child
exceptionally attractive as she is, becam,
the pet of Mr.. Parton's household. Whei
Mrs. Parton died, the care of the chilt
devolved upon Miss Eldredge and Mr.
Parton, and their marriage now enable
them to unite more completely in carin.
for her. Mr.. Parton is surprised ant
shocked at finding that a marriag
which seemed to him so proper is con
trary to the laws of the State, and hi
appeal to the Legislature to sanction tn,
union will doubtless receive a promp
and satisfactory response.