Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1884-02-05
[From the Winchester Times, January 3Oth.]
The elimination of the Great Sensation.

MARKEDLY the Rev. John Landstreet,
Of the NJ. E. Church South of Martinsburg,
W. Va, at Payne's Chapel, near Bunker
Hill, Berkeley county, W. Va, on Thurs
day, January, "a, 1884, Mr.. L. R. Payne to
Miss Annie Hinton, both this county. No
cards.
The above simple announcement has in it
material enough to weave romance which
would excite the interest of all our readers,
far and near, but we shall deal with nothing
but plain, unvarnished facts as we hear
them.
The gentleman contracting this matri-
monial alliance has, up to two weeks ago,
for thirty-seven long years worn woman's
apparel. The circumstances attending his
early childhood we will rapidly pass over
He received an ample education, which was
finished in a female college in one. of our
neighboring cities. He grew up to man
hood commanding the respect of those who
knew him-all supposing, of course, that
he was woman-and the usual polite
courtesies to which every female is accord
ed by the opposite sex were extended to
him. Suddenly, on Tuesday, January Is,
having become tired of posing in this role,
Mr.. Payne came to Winchester and consult
ed physician and lawyer, and acting IN
der advice DOTTED woman's apparel and
donned male attire, and will apply at our
next term of the Circuit Court for a change
OF name. Contemplating matrimony, he
applied for a license to the Clerk Of our
County Court, who (by advice of Common
wealth's Attorney Dandridge) refused to
issue it upon the ground that it would first
require the action of the Circuit Court. Not
to be thwarted in his plans he repaired to
Martinsburg, and there procured the neces-
sary papers which allowed him to become
the husband of the lady of his choice, who
is a few years his senior.
The bride was attired in wine-colored
silk and white bonnet, and the groom in the
conventional black. The marital rites were
attended by large crowds drawn from the
adjacent towns and villages, who extended
congratulations. Upon the close of the
ceremony the happy pair returned to their
residence.
Mr.. Payne has been a frequent exhibitor
of live stock at our Agricultural Fairs, is
juGicious farmer. fine horsenlan, a good
judge of stock of all kinds, and is now mer-
chandsing at Rest, few miles from Win
chester. We have for years tipped our
beaver to "Miss Becky Payne" and had
many transactions with him, and can testify
to his probity and honorable dealing, and
will greet him warmly and heartily welcome
him to the army of benedicts We wish
him much Joy in his new relation, and only
regret that he saw fit to conceal his sex SO
many years, from reasons best known to
himself, and which the prurient eye of
curious busybodies has no right to enquire
into. "All's well that ends WE'LL" and we
thought best from rumors that came to us
from abroad in reference to the character
of this gentleman in his female role, to give
plain statement of the facts.
We say in conclusion that Mr. Payne has
conducted himself through life with the ut
most propriety, and net Gne act, so far as
we know or hear of, has ever been laid at
his door that would cause the cheek of fe-
male or male to blush. This much we think
due in the matter.
This sensation has Caused thousands and
will cause tens of thousands more tongues
to wag- The why and wLerefores of the
case will be discussed. ,butsthe secret is re-
vealed, and all there is of it is that a gentle
man who wore the garb of lady from
childhood to middle aye, has chosen to come
out in his proper dress and contract matri-
monial alliance. Sufficient to say that the
A~''SOAD Az AANuOihiS cuSu d CouISC III lll0
were good and satisfactory to him and his
family 1t will be but q nine days wonder
to our people, and all will be thing of tie
past The outside world will be much
agitated for more pabulgn, upon which to
feed, and many story without the slight
est foundation will De added as it is told in
distant portions Of the country The above
are all the facts in the case that should be
laid before the public. '-=------=
Since writing the above we learned that
the welded pair have settled down to do
mestic life and Mrs. Payne is assisting her
liege lord in dual capacity of housekeeper
and salewoman in the store. On Thursday
night, of course, they were treated as many
other couples have Seaa, TO first class
charivari, They exhibited their Judgment by
taking it kindly and are now in the full tide
of their happy honey moon. We omitted
to say also that Mr.. Payne's family are PEG.
pie most respectable and worthy.
1.-THE groom for 81 years was known as
Miss Ida Rebecca Payne