The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1878-05-16

The Immense Marrying Business
That Has Reen Done Out nj
West Alexander.
Washington (Pa) Examiner:
No visit to West Alexander Is com,
plete without an interview with Squire
Mayes, the champion knot tier in this
Gretna Green Of America. The Squire
Is over three-score, butts as spirited as
a boy in his teens and As quotations as
Dick sWivler. Tap him on Whatever
subject you will and he overHoWs with
shakespeare-of whom he Is an ardent
admirer. We found him in his sanctum
Of justice, and after exchanging the usual
greeting, we inquired II there had been
candidates for mstrimony around that
day. "oh," said he, am most out Of
patience-only four this week-three
last Sunday"
The Squire informed me that he enter.
ed upon the duties Of his office as Justice
Of the Peace May %, 1852, and had been
steadily reelected, Democrats uniting
with the Republicans last spring in Civ.
ing him the solid vote OF the borough.
During these sixteen years Of Office he
had tied the connubial knot for 1908
couples tall kindred spirits moulded in-
to one" said he,l and that he received as
pecuniary consideration for his service
within fraction Of S4,100, ranging in
fees from IS cents to $40, according to
the length Of the purse and the gratitude
OF the groom. The happy pairs whose
matrimonial bark he has launched, have
"hailed" from Pennsylvania, West Vir-
GINA, Massachusetts, Louisiana, Kentuc-
ky, Missouri, Washington, D. G., Vermont,
and In one instance from the far
distant Isle Of Man, the groom being
Welchman. There have been calls for
his services at all hours OF the night, by
parties in all grades Of society, and a.
would be expected, the happy consum.
nation has been marked In many in.
stances with the most laughter-provoki
incidents. The Squire recounts these
with as much gusto as an old soldier does
his valiant exploits.
As . Priest OF Hymen, the 'Squire's
father also had no small experience. In
his term OF Office as Justice, 81 years, he
united $50 couples, but his worthy son
has gone ahead Of that record in less
than half the time.
But the Mayes family, though champi.
ons, have by no means monopolized this
knot tying business.
Joseph Alexander, deeased mirred
John Sutherland, deceased married.
William s. Alexander, deceased, nIrrisd.......-s
Rev. John Heryey deceased,
Rev. william II. Lester
Rev. Ormond, married 20
squire WatE, mlrred........ .,...............- 10
Making grand total .5 46S
Not including in this count the efforts
Of Rev. cClosky and others in the same
direction, which will bring the figure up
to about 5000.
This is an immense showing for SO
small place as West Alexander, and
strikingly illustrates the appreciation
and beauties Of the Pennsylvania no Ii.
cense system. In Ohio and West Viz.
ginia the applicant forconnubialities has
70 satisfy the authorities in regard 10 age,
relationship, &C., and after he has passed
judgment, the parson Is freed from all re-
sponsibility. In the Keystone the re:
sponsibility rests upon ministers and
magistrates. Had our State solons pass
ed the bill before them this session, re-
quiring the issue OF license by the Clerk
Of the Court, Squire Mayes, like olhello,
would have had "his occupation gone"
He makes 4 respectable income from
this branch Of his business, and makes q
speciality Of working 1t up by means Of
advertising in the Wheeling papers, and
also with cards slipped 10 certificates is
sued, emphasizing this interesting fea.,
ture: @No marriage license required in
Pennsylvania"