Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1883-07-05
QUEER MARRIAGE.
A Wid0wer Declares Himself
Married 20 His SisIer.iu.LaW.

A peculiar marriage notice was
recently published in the Chicago and
Pittsburg papers, and caused much
curiosity among those who knew the
parties. 1t was signed by Joseph A.
Greer, and reads:
GREER-ECoFF-B virtue Of marriage
articles Of agreement entered into between
Joseph Il Greer and Levernie Eeof. notice
10 hereby given that the said LeYernie Ecof
II ny lawful wife.
The story connected with this no.
tice is as follows: David Greer, the
father Of Joseph Greer, at one time
was one Of the wealthiest and most
respected residents of Pitts
burg, and the family were among
the aristocracy Of the place. He had
a family of six children-two sons and
four dsughters-all of whom were
lett we'll provided for at his death,
some years since. Joseph was the
Oldest in the family, and was always
looked upon as rather visionary and
peculiar. After his fathers death be
invested in several enterprises, none
of which turned out well, but caused
him considerable loss. He not only
lost most of his own money, but
great part of that belonging to his
sisters, it is said. Some years age he
married Miss Ecoff, daughter of
prosperous resident living on the
banks OF the Beaver. Several chill.
dren were the results Of the marriage,
only two of whom are now alive. -Four
years ago Mrs Greer, Joseph Greer's
wife. died. Her sister, Levernie
Ecof, had been stopping at the
house during her sickness, and the
children had become wonderfully at
lached to her. On her death bed Mrs.
Greer tried to tell her sister some
thing but was unable to speak. Miss
Ecoff understood that she was to take
charge of the children and promised
to do so, which satisfied her sister.
Soon after his wife's death Greer in
sisted that Miss Ecoff should marry
him, intimating that his wife had ex-
pressed such a wish aud that she was
trying to tell her sister when she died.
Miss EcOf spurned his addresses and
returned with the children to her
fathers house. He was not whit
discouraged, however, but renewed his
suit with increased earnestness, plead
ing that she should marry him for the
sake of the children, who needed a
mothers care. This argument
touched her more than anything else,
and she finally said that if he would
70 to work aud make home for
her and the children, she
might possibly marry. This occurred
at the house of Howard Greer,
Joseph's brother. Joseph Greer
seemed to think the matter all settled,
and announced his intention of going
to Chicago and entering into business.
He did go away for q short time, but
returned and insisted on Miss Ecoff
marrying him at once, which she per-
emptorily refused to do. Greer again
went to Chicago and published the
peculiar marriage notice given above
in several Of the papers there's and also
in one Of the papers in Pittsburg.
| Miss Ecoff denies most strenuously
that there was any engagement, and
refuses to be bound by
promise that she never made.
Since the publication of the notice
| Greer has followed her about from
| place to place, and claims her as his
wife. She will not recognize the
claim, and some of her friends are
beginning to fear that Greer may do
her some harm. Thus the ease stands
at present, and it would be difficult to
predict the outcome of it.
| Miss Ecotf is represented to be a
cultivated young lady of more than
ordinary attractive personal appear
snce. Greer is said to be very small
and rather peculiar looking. Taking
it all in all, the story reads mere like
a romance than an occurrence in real
life. Miss Ecsff is about eighteen
years old, while Greer is nearly forty.