The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1883-07-01
Oueer Marriage Notice.
A WHOEVER DECLARES HIMSELF MARRIED 7
HIS SISTER-IN-LAW.

a NlDDhER DEtIAhtIS w
HIS sISTER-IN-LAw.
A peculiar marriage notice was recently
published in the Chicago and Pittsburgh
papers, and caused much curiosity among
those who knew the parties. twas sign
ed by Joseph II. Greer, and reads:
GREER COFF.- BY virtue OF marriage
articles OF agreement entered into between
Joseph II. Greer and Levernie Ecofl, no
tee is hereby given that the said Leyernie
EcOff is my lawful wife"
The story connected with this notice is
as follows David Greer, the father OF JO-
seph Greer, ut one time was one OF the
wealthiest and most respected residents OF
Pittsburgh, and the family were among
the arist0cracy OF the place. lie had a
family OF six children-twO sons and -four
daughters-all OF whom were left well pro-
yided 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 he
invested i'm 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 thai
belonging TO his sisters, it is said. Som,
wears since he married Miss Ecoff, daugh'
ter Of prosperous resident living on the
banks OF the Beaver. Several children
were the results OF the marriage, only two
OF whom are now alive. -Four years age
Mrs. Greer, Joseph Greer's wife, died
Her sister, Levernie EcOff. had been stop.
ping at the house during her sickness, and
the children had become wonderfully at
tached 10 her. On her death-bed Mrs
Greer tried TO tell her sister something, but
was unable to speak. Miss Ecoff under
stood that she was to take charge OF the
children and promised to do so, which sat
isfied her sister. Soon after bis wife's
death Greer insisted Miss Ec0G should
marry him, intimating that his wife had
expressed such wish and that she was
trying to tell her sister when she died.
Miss EcoG spurned his addresses and re-
turned with the children TO her fathers
house. He was not whit discouraged
however, but renewed his suit with in
creased earnestness, pleading that she
should marry him for the sake OF the chill
dren, who needed mothers care. This
argument touched her more than anything
else, and she finally said that II he would
go to work and make Il home for her ana
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, ana
announced his intention OF going TO Chi
cago and entering into business. He did
90 away for short time, but returned and
Insisted on Miss Econ marrying him at
once. which she peremptorily declined to
do. Greer again went TO Chicago, and
published the peculiar marriage notice
given above i'm several OF the papers there.
and also in one Of the papers in Pittsburgh.
Miss Ecoff denies most strenuously that
there was any such agreement, and refuses
to be bound bya promise 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 GAer
may do her some harm. Thus the ease
stands at present, and II would be difficult
10 predict the outcome OF IL.
Miss Ecoif L. represented to be culti-
waited Young lady of more than ordinary
attractive personal appearance. Greer Is
said Ia be very small and rather peculiar
looking. Taking IL all In all, the story
reads more like romance than an occur
renee i'm real life. Miss Ecoff Is about
eighte9 years old, while Greer Is nearly
forty.