Western sentinel. [volume] (Winston [i.e. Winston-Salem], N.C.) 1856-1886, 1877-07-05
1KAARIEDIy THE DARK.

discussed by the Xeyakd and other
Journals as one of the most curious
cases on record, and yet the dust
covered legal records of Michigan
tell of a case still more singular
Miss Knox was engaged to young
man named Merritt, the day was
set for the nuptials, they drove
away together and were married
and now Merritt vows that lie was
not the bridegroom. She VOWS that
he was, but cannot prove it, and
both mako out a pretty good case.
Que may well argue that he ought
to know whether he ever married a
certain young lady or not, ard the
said young lady may we'll argne
that she ought TO know the man
who rode to the c,crgyman's with
her, stood up beside her, made his
responses in due form, and drov,
her back homo These arguments
are What mystify the Knox case
Now for one still more singular:
About twenty years ago there
lived in Central Michigan curious
old Bcnedick named Dodsworth.- :
At the age Of fifty he married girl
of twenty, and when the burden o.
sixty years bore him down, his wife
was only halt his age. Dodsworth
was noted for his peculiarities, but
the climax came when he found
himself on his dying bed. He was
worth about $50. 900, ard he hadn' t
y blood relative living, so far as he
knew. He wanted to leave his
wife, as the prir had lived very hap
PLY, but yet he could not leave ii
without displaying some of his
peculiarities in the provisions Of his
will. Some old men displays a
mean spirit when making their
wills, and draft in provision cut.
ting the wife off with a shilling if
she marrics again. THIS old man
wasn't of that stamp. His young
wife was good looking, vlvacious,
fond of society, aid it was folly to
suppose she would mourn for her
: slate departed" any great length OF
time. Therefore, Mr.. Dudsworth
turned heel OH the custom and said
in his will:
"In case my wife Celia does not
take unto herself another husband
within thirteen months from date OF
NY burial, all bequests otherwise
made in this will aie to the State
Of Michigan, to he used for building
and furnishing a homo for old wo-
men,"
Whether Celia was pleased or
;. displcased at this provision deponent
saith not, but the cid man lad moi
been under the sod more than SIX
months when the widow was said
to he looking out tor another man
Ii it was singular tor the dying
Do6sworth to urge bis wife tc
marry again, it was still more sin
gular that he should desire the
ceremony to be performed under
the following circumstances, viz:
"And it is incumbent on said
Celia Dodsworth that in taking q
husband the marriage ceremony
, , shall be performed in the big barr
on my farm on the H-road. L
, shall take place at 10 O'Clock in tht
evening, on the main floor, withon
: lights of any description, with al
doors shut, and free invitation
: shall be extended to all. Th'
:, clergyman shall stand inthe stable
and the bride and groom on th'
a main floor, and the principal partie
to the ceremony shall be dressed il
. black throughout"
The widow announced her inten
D ton to faithfully obey in spirit an'
: letter, the will was probated, ant
/. the twelfth month had scarcel,
+. passed before ehe issued an invita-
: ton for the pnblia to attend we'd
: ding at the big barn. just who TIN
the groom was to oe no one conI'
: positively assert, as the widow ha'
: been keeping company with
! widower, bachelor AND two youn.
: men, and as far as any outside
: could Judge, she loved one as wei
: as the other. Being good lcokin!
+ and talented, and having forttln
i behind her, it was not strange tha
she should have number OF snitors
She eecmed to enter into the spiri
t OF the affair with zest,4as hlso dli
J. the minister; and to fnrther mystif..
d the people in attendance the brid
d entered the barn alone at one door
g the groom alone at another, and n
n one knew that the minister ha,
arrived until his voice was heard il
the stables.
. There were at least 200 peopl
e present, and each one understoo
t. that oven the stiking OF a mate
IS would break the will. Many joke
l. were passed, and considerable con
d fusion existed, but at length th
s minister announced. that all wa