The New York herald., 1877-02-15
MARRIED IN THE DARK.

MICHIGAN MATRIMONIAL AfsIEhf-Foon
CLAIMANTS FOR A BRIDE WHOSE SECOND
BRIDAL CEREMONY WAS ARRANGED IN Ac-
coRDAScE WITH THE WILL OF HER DEAR
DEPARTED.
JACKSON Mich. Feb H. 1917.
The Mary z. Knox case has been discussed by tho
HERALD and other journals Of the most curious
record and yet the covered cgal records
OF Michigan tell OF still more singular Miss
Knox was engaged to young man named Merritt, the
day set for the nuptials. they drove away to.
gcther and married. and now Merritt vows he
not the bridegroom. She VOWS that he was, but
prove and both make out pretty good case
One may well argue that he ought to know whether
he married a certain young lady or not and the
said young lady may we'll argue that she ought to
know the who rode TO the clcrgyman's with her,
stood up beside her, made his responses in doe form
and drove her back home These arguments are what
mystiiy the Knox Now for one still moro
singular
CURIOUS
About twenty years ago there lived in central Mchi-
gan curious old Benedick named Dodsworth. AT tho
age OF dty he married girl OF twenty, aud when the
burden Of sixty years bore him down his wife was
only half his age Dodsworh was noted for his pecu.
iiarties hut the climax came when lie found himself
on ais dying bed He worth about $50 600, and
he hadn't blood relative living, so far as hc knew
He wantcdto leave his property to his wlc. as the
pair had lived very happily but yet he could not leave
without displaying some OF his peculiarities IN the
provisions of the will Some old men display mean
spirit when making their wills and draft in provision
cutting the wife oil with shilling If she marries
again This old man wasn't OF that stamp. His young
wife was good looking, vivacious fond OF society, and
II was folly suppose she you'd mourn for her slate
departed any great length OF time. Therefore Mr.
Dodsworth turned heel on tho usual custom and said
In his will
In case my wife Celia docs not take unto herself
another husband within thirteen months from date OF
my burial all bequess otherwise made in this will are
to revert to the State OF Michigan, to bo used ior
building and furnishing home for old women
Whether Celia pleased or displeascd at this pro-
vision dcponent saith not, but the old man had not
been under the sod more than six months when the
widow was said to looking out for another II
1t was singular for the dying Dodsworth to urge his
wife marry again still more singular that he
should the ceremony to be performed under tho
following circumstances, viz. -
And 1t is made incumbent said Celia Dodsworth
that in taking new husband the marriage ceremony
shall be performed IN the big barn on my arm, on he
II road. IL shall take place at ten O'Clock in the
evening, on the main floor, without lights OF any de-
scription with all doors Shut and q free invitation
shall be extended to ALL Tho clergyman shall stand in
the stables and tue brdc and groom on the main floor
and the principal parties TO the ceremony shall be
dressed in black throughout
WILLING WIDOW.
Tho widow announced her intention to faithfully
obey in spirit and letter. the will probated and the
twelfth month had scarcely passed before sho issued
an invitation for the public to attend wedding at tho
big barn. Just who the groom was to be no ono could
positively assert tho widow had been keeping COM
pany with widower, a bachelor and two young men,
and as far as any outsider could judge she loved
we'll as the other Being good looking and talented
and having fortune behind hor, 1t was not strange
that should have number OF suitors She seemed
TO enter into the spirit OF affair with great zes
also did the Minister and to further mystiiy the peo
pie in attendance the bride entered the barn alone at
one door, the groom ulone at another, and one
knew that the minister had arrived until his voice
heard in tho stables
BOUND IN DARK.
There were at least 200 people present. and each one
understood that even the striking Of a match would
break the will Many jokes were passed and consid-
erabe confusion existed but ut ongth tho minister
announced that all ready Tho ceremony was gone
through WITH and at It's conclusion, tho affair having
been .'profound success' rush was made Tor the
BRIDE sno kissed by hundred pcn, and was then
carried home, distance Of mile and half in big
armchair
WHO IS HUSBAND?
Now comes the mystery. When the lady was set
down at her door the widower, the bachelor and
the two young men each claimed TO be ner true and
lawful husband. None OF tho crowd could say who
was the lucky man, the minister was at sea and the
bride herself seemed to have doubts. The widower
was the man of her choice, but IN the confusion he
could have been hustled aside, and he did
affirm that an attempt was made to choke
him and get him of the barn. The bachelor vowed
that she had promised marry him. as also did both
young men, and each one sure that he held the
Widows plump hand and legally married TO her.
Tho four men had fight, but that didn't mend mat
tcrs The crowd ducked two Of them 10 creek but
| that didn't decide the question.
A COMPROMISE
Just how it would have terminated had not the wid-
over been man of nerve can tell as the other
three had already appealed to tho law when the Wild
over stepped in and took his place rs husband and
settled with the others for So, 600 each.
One OF the young men, now over forty years old,
| and having all the wife he wants tshc weighs 23o
pounds) is living in this city, and, during an inter
view had with him to-day. he soemny and earnestly
assured your correspondent that he was legally mar
| red to the Widow Dodsworth that night In the big
barn Another OF the parties lives IN Clinton county
and he has time and again asserted that he Is the
woman's true and lawful husband, SO help his God
The bachelor is dead, but lie alive and kicking
he woald renew his oft repeated protcstatons-
81 married her, by gum and, by gum, ought te
have hcr!"
A WONDERFUL INVENTION.