The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1884-09-24
BLAINE,s MARRIAGE.
Mr.. David Bell Recalls the circumstances and
the Entry Made in His Diary.


Pittsburg Chronicle Telegraph
In the published letter of Mr. Blaine, giving
the account of his Pittsburg marriage, mention
is made of Mr.. David Bell as being one of the
witnesses to the ceremony. The David Bell re-
ferred to is David M. Bell, well-known
lawyer of this city, and in an interview this
morning, he told what he knew of the marriage
without any hesitancy, stating that since Mr.
Blaine has published it, he felt at liberty to
talk. The account he gives of the marriage is
this: i was sitting in my office on Fourth
avenue the evening OF Mr.. Blaines marriage
when in came John lie Moyne, an old college
friend of mine. He told me that he came at the
request of Mr.. James G. Blaine, a friend
Of his, who was going to be married
At the parsonage OF Dr. Bryan
at the ceremony as one of the witnesses. Up to
that time don't think that / had had any per-
sonal acquaintance with Mr.. Blaine though
had heard Of him as a graduate of Washington
and Jefferson College where had also gradu-
ated. | accompanied Mr.. LeMeyne to DIR. Bry
ans parsonage, which, ] think, was on Third av-
enue. there met Mr. Blaine and his intended
wife, Miss Harriet Stanwood. / do not Pemem-
Der who was there besides Mr.. LeMoyne and
myself, but we were called into the parlor and
shortly after the ceremony was performed.
What took place after the ceremony / cannot
recall, but remember of going back to the of
fee very coon afterwards / had been keeping a
diary for several years and when Ireturned to
the office made the following memorandum:
March, 20, 1951-Was witness at a ceremony in
which James 9. Blaine of Kentucky, was united in
the holy bonds of matrmony with Harriet Stanwood,
at $50 o'clock in Intervening,
SThis memorandum have kept" continued
Mr. Bell. and is the only reminder / have of
the cermonyn
Did you know at that time, Mr.. Bell, that
there had been a former marriage in Kentuckyls
II did not, as now fecollect. / Thought no
more about the matter, and if j had known of a
former marriage think would have had o
better recollection of this 5ne, at this time"
We're you enjcined to seeresy IN the matter7'
II think hOt--at least don't think that Mr..
Bl9me mentioned it to me, though I may have
thought at the time that it was a secret cere-
mony, and very likely l did, as never made any
mention of it since. saw an account of the
Pittsburg marriage in the Chronicle Telegraph a
few weeks ago, nearly as it occurred, but as my
name was not mentioned as one of the witnesses
did not feel called upon to proclaim my knowl-
edge of the matter [ don't see now that it
makes any difference"
did you ever have any conversation with Mr..
Blaine since the ceremony in Pittsburgh
Yes but it was on business entirely different
| from this matter. was called to see Mr.. Blaine
at the Monongahela House once since then on a
matter Of business. The marriage did not come
up in our conversation. I don't remember that
ever met MIR Blaine since that time"
The gentleman states that he is glad Mr.. Blaine
has set the matter right In the eyes of the pub
lie, and that there is no longer need for him to
60 around knowing something that there is nc
need for htn to keep to himself, but which he did
not feel at liberty to publish abroad