Grand Rapids morning telegram., 1884-12-16

syIganfa Matron's Successful Scheme TO
Catch a Man, and She Lived To He-
pent II.
indianapolis Journal
A strange story. illustrating the surpris
ing possibilities in the lottery of matri-
mOny, was told by an incongruous- look
ing couple that was brought into the po-
lice station last evening. The incongru-
ous-looking couple was Thomas q. Wslch
and his bride OF little more than year.
The man's complexion is Of a deeper bru-
nette tlnge than that of a pure Caucasian,
and his darkly shaded, but somewhat hand
some features OF face indicatefa slight
mongrel mixture OF white and black blood.
The woman was rather stylishly dressed
and of somewhat attractive appearance,
of an apparent age indefinitely beyond
thirty. Two years ago she was a widow
living at Parker's Landing, in Pennsyl-
vania, and was engaged in the millinery
business. Her name was Mrs. Sarah Or
ton, and she was in rather prosperous cir
cumstances. Still she was not satisfied.
She was lonely and she sighed for the
soothing and comforting companionship
of a loved one. She advertised in
Cincinnati Enquirer for gentleman corr
respondent. Thomas Welch, an Indian
apolis tonsorial artist, responded to the
advertisement. He represented that he
was a practicing physician, and before
many letters passed he told Sarah that he
loved her. Womanlike she believed him
doubtless because she did not want to dis
believe him-and she assured Thomas, the
tonsorial artist, that she loved him. They
both loved, and it was settled. Cupid's
little arrows flew thick and fast across the
miles between the yearning tonsorial artist
in Indianapolis and his signing sweetheart
far away up in the Alleghenies trimming
bonnets. They wanted to marry and moth
ing slower than lightning could do the
splicing. The widow rushed down to the
telegraph office in Pittsburgh, and the i'm
patient bridegroom hurried to the Indian
apolis end of the wire, in company with
"Rev." Thomas Smith, who was called
upon to perform the ceremony which was
TO enwrap the lovers in the bonds of we'd
lock and electricity. The following mes
sage was flashed across the wire:
INDIANAPOLIS, July 5, 1870 Miss SARAH
ORToS:-Do you solemnly promise before
Almighty God and these witnesses TO receive
Mr. Thomas Welch as your lawful welded
husband until the union In which you are
now entered is dissolved by death.
REV. THOMAS SMITH.
The response came quickly: ~ do" and
in less than jiffy the happy bride In Pitts
burgh read the following:
INDIANAPOLIS, July s, 1ss3.-To SARAH Or
TONI now pronounce you man and wife.
What God has put together let no man put
asunder. REV. THOMAS SMITH.
"Rev." Thomas Smith Is a negro, who
was engaged in the professional pursuit Of
shaving faces alongside DR.. Thomas WEIGH
After this novel marriage ceremony, which
was contracted without the two parties
having seen each other, the woman came
on TO indianapolis. She found her husband
in embarrassing pecuniary circumstances
She brought furniture with her, with which
home was furnished. The doctor had nc
patients and no practice. She opened q
millinery store down on Virginia avenue,
and with her earnings from trimming bon
nets she paid all the living expenses, be.
sides furnishing the doctor with money for
many little extravagances which were re-
quired, he represented, to sustain the Dig
nifty of his professional pretensions. Dur.
ing the period of more than a year that
they lived together she was compelled tc
pay all the living expenses.
A short time ago a spiteful spinster told
Mrs. Welch that her husband was not q
doctor, but that he was q negro barber
She claims that this was the first revela-
tion 70 her Of the deceptions that had been
practiced upon her. She wanted to return
TO her home in Pennsylvania, but Welch
was losth to lose his precious treasure, ano
strenuously objected. She made arrange
ments, however, to go, and yesterday had
all her goods packed ready for ber depar-
ture. Welch threatened to kill her il she
attempted TO take them with her, and abe
appealed to the police for protection. Both
were brought 20 the police station, and the
woman related the story Of her deception
TO the Superintendent Of Police substan.
TALLY as here given. welch's admissions
corroborated the truthfulness of her state.
ments. He was locked up on the charge OF
disturbing the peace, and his wife, who de.
clares that she will apply for divorce
viii return 10 her former home, money hav.
ing been furnished her for that purpose by
her friends