Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1879-12-27
How the Matrimonial Knot il Tied
by the Wire.

1EARRIAGES BY TELEGRAPH
How the Matrimonial Knot il Tied
by the Wire.
A FEW HUNDRED MILES DID NOT INTERFERE
WITH THE UNION OF LOVING HEARTS.
The click OF the telegrapn.naS sometimes Deen
Impressed into other service tean that which
tine immortal Morse conceived 10 be it, sphere.
Beyond the mere transmission OF news and
mtssa ges OF social and business import, there
field for the operation OF electricity. The pro-
gressive spirit Of the age has proclaimed mar
TiageS by telegraph as the order of the day.
Matrimonial alliances at sea, marriages by
proxy, and balloon weddings must now take a
position In the background OF romance.
A few months ago, Mr. W. II. Story, the Sig
Territory, became engaged to Miss Clara E
Choate, of San Diego, Cal, $50 miles Distant
Being In the service OF the government, and
the only operator as Camp Grant. he could not
obtain leave to make so long Journey for his
wedding, so Miss Choate went out TO him to
Arizona The young man received her with
only accessible lodging house In the place. The
next morning she found upon inquiry that
there was no minister In the entire county. In
graph Into Service was decided upon. Ar
rangements were perfected by which
minister was TO be stationed at the San
Diego end OF the line the following even
ing, and a large party OF the family and
friends OF the bride gathered In the Office OF
the telegraph operator. Rev. j. l.. Mann OF the
NJ E. Church wa, promptly on hand at O'Clock,
and everything being in readiness. Camp Grant
was asked II they were ready to proceed with
the ceremony. Both parties promptly respond
ed that they were. Rev. MIR. Mann rose and
said they were now about to attend the marriage
ceremony OF two friends. They could hardly
hear the words spoken standing so far apart,
but could speak with the telegraph wire audibly
enough. He then said, operator Blythe repeat
ing the words with the instrument. 81 am duly
authorized to unite In holy matrimony William
4 tayhn
sent themselves for Discrimination OF this an
Gent and honorable rite. Do you, both or you,
mutually pledge yourselves that you Will live
together after GODS ordnance In the molly state
of matrimony; that you will love. foster and de-
fend each other In sickness and In health, and,
forsaking all Others, keep you only to your
selves, so long as you both shall lve?"
Answers: Il do-~illiam II. Story" II do
Clara Il. ChOate."
GAS token OF sincerity you will please join
your right hands"
AnSwer-It Is done
The clergyman then repeated the words,
"Whom God hath Joined together let no man
put asunder. BY virtue of the authority in me
vested, now pronounce you husband and wife.
May you be happy forever. Amen"
In order that the services should be exactly
given, Rev. Mr. Mann had previously written it
out. Several congratulations followed over the
wire, to which appropriate replies were sent.
Upon the visit OF the happy couple to San Diego
the officiating clergyman was made the recipient
Of handsome present.
Up six flights OF stairs OF the western Union
Telegraph building reporter yesterday found a
veteran manipulation or the electric keys. He
was sitting at the Newark wire in the midst Of
200 whirr1Dg and clicking Instruments, convey
ing their burdens of Intelligence TO every quar-
ter Of the globe. Taking Chair by the side Of
his instrument, the reporter asked him:
"Do you have many instances OF matrimony
performed over your wires, Mr.. Walcott?"
'Not many thus far" he replied, laughing.
The fact is II is rather novel business as yet.
A few weeks ago Mr.. G. Scott JeffreyS, one of
our best operators, was sent to Waynesburg
Pa, to take charge Of that station. He had just
bought full-ureos wedding suit, pair OF white
gloves, and an immaculate shirt front, which we
joked him about as being paper. ITS all right
boys he said, i can get married IN 1t just the
for BROWNSVILLE to meet Mrs. Ida Cutler,
western Union operator stationed there, whom
he had agreed TO take for better Or for worse.
His matrimonial designs on the handsome
widoW were suddenly Gus short, however, for
Manager Downer ordered him to WayneSburg
without delay. We all thought that the poor
fellow would be seriously Disappointed
.sHow did he get out OF the scrape?"
"Why, his native ingenuity got the better of
the circumstances, for he resorted at once to the
use Of the telegraph. On the second morning
room here were thrown into furry OF excite
ment by the receipt OF the following message
hom Division superintendent Rowe All bust
ness must be suspended on this circuit five
minutes before p. M. to-day, and be kept
closed until after the marriage ceremony by
telegraph, which takes place at 2 o'clock At
the very moment appointed the tick, tick, tick
announced that the novel ceren my had begun.
Every female operator In the place gathered
about 1t to listen to the story OF the wedding
Did you keep any OF the correspondence"
Eyes; here II is and the operator displayed
manifold slips containing the following dis
patch:
Brownsville to WayneSburg)
-"Tell the Rev. Mr.. Scott We are ready now.n
(Waynesburg to BrownSyille.)
TO G. Scott J.DTeps and Lila ttLer, b. 0,oaSuiue
Pa:
Marriage Is an ordinance of God, for the vel
fare and happiness of the human family, inSti-
tuted at the creation and union of the first
pair, by which He ordained the union of one
man with one woman in bonds of pure and holy
wedlock for life. The parties to be united at
this time please to join hands.
(Signed1 j. W. SCOTT, Minister of the Gospel.