Semi-weekly interior journal. [volume] (Stanford, Ky.) 1881-1905, 1882-07-28


A letter from West Alexander, Pa. ,
10 the Pittsburg Diepdtch says; Jus
tico Mayes, the famous marrying
Squire, whose readiness with the
words which bind is known 10 every
pair Of youngsters yearuing 10 be one
within n radius Of several States, ten
days ago celebrated histwo thousandth
marriage. His official signature now
stands ut the bottom Of 1908 MARI
age certificates, and 1905 people have
stood up before him and thought his
plain words the most eloquent and
musical in the language. IL the do.
nestle hearth stones which he had
created we're piled together they would
make a very respectable quarry; if all
the happiness he bad occasioned could
but rebound TO his own heart, he
would be blest above mortals; could
the divorce fees he has laid the foun
dations for return 10 his own pocket,
his children's children might still have
a comfortable patrimony.
Marital affections seems 10 be indi
genous 10 the soil hereabouts. The
town itself was christened by its
founder, Robert Humphrey, as far
back as 1896, after the maiden name
of his wife, Margaret Alexander. The
marrying Justice himself has not es.
capped the infection, or perhaps has
been a physician not afraid 10 take his
own medicine. The lady who now
presides over his household is his 3rd
wife. The town itself is an unpre.
teutious little place, a quiet old pike
town, wearing but few architectural
adornments in the way Of wedding
iinery. Ii is situated ON the line OF
the old National pike. Its neighbor-
ing town, Claysville, helps in a mod
est way TO perpetuate the memory OF
the Kentuckian statesman 10 whose
broad, public spirit the great thor
oughfare Of former days owes its ex-
istence.
Joseph Finley Mayes is now close
TO sixty. FIVE years old, and carries his
winters lightly. The frosty rhine is
on HE brows and chin, but his voice
is CHEEKY and his tongue as clipper as
ever. lie has been 80 much a public
feature recently that his story as de-
scendent of line of knot.tiers is pref
~ well known. He has compiled the
record Of his matrimonial work in
periods Of five years. During the
first five years he married 203 couples;
the second, 1863; the third, 507; the
fourth, S3I. The record shows the
names of the contracting parties, the
date, and the fee given for each mar
rage. Up TO the present time Squire
Mayes has received for performing
marriage ceremonies the sum of Sc,
262.14, .or.an average Of s3.12l per
couple during the term Of 20 years.
The fee allowed by law was 81 up to
1865, when it was increased to So.
About half dozen couples paid moth
ing, some paid the regular fee and
Others paid as high as 50, $40, and one
party was so liberal as TO fork over
500. The lowest amount received, as
shown by the ledger, was 80 cents.
Most of the couples married here are
from West Virginia and Ohio, Of
course, where the license fee is tax
upon matrimony. The justice shrewd
" puts out the enticing advertisement:
"No. marriage license required il
Pennsylvania" and inoloses his card.
The young couple show it to their
friends. of course, and so the trade is
iostered. Thirty couples of the two
thousand were colored. Fifty Of the
men made happy we're named Smith,
aud thirty.twO of these were baptize d
John. Fourteen of the ladies did not
change their names. Business has
ranged in briskness from six couples
in one day to several days without
any.