The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1884-11-14
A GENUINE SURPRISE.
General w. s. Harvey Quietly Married Yes
terday to Mrs. Mary e. st. Cyr.

$500
st. Louis Globe Democrat, Yesterday.
General w. S. Harvey, the hero of several
wars, well known figure in ST. Louis and in the
history of the West was married yesterday to
Mrs. Mary E. ST Cyr, lady prominently CON
nected with the best families of this city. The
venerable bridegroom is nearing his eight-ffth
year and all the infrmites of extreme old age are
upon him. His step is slow and lettering and
the eye, once so clear and piercing, has lost its
brightness, leaving the General all but blind.
In all his troubles kindly hand has been ever
near to assist him. Like ministering angel
she has watched over and cared for him. Every
little within was gratifed by his devoted nurse,
and the aged soldier for six years past has ex-
perienced the constant, accomplishing care of
Mrs. St Cyr. Whether his plantation at
Pass Christian or travelling about the country,
the lady whom he yesterday made his wife
companied General Harvey and scarcely left him
for moment. When seen together people
used to say: How will General Harvey reward
Mrs. St Cyr for her devotion to him" The
idea of the two being married seemed
absurd An old man, with one foot in the grave,
taking bride, was more than any one ventured
to surmise Besides, the Generals children
would object to such a proceeding. They would
hardly want their father on the verge of do
tage. to assume such relation. However, the
deed was done without the knowledge of the old
mans near relatives. About o'clock yesterday
afternoon, Recorder Farreley was summoned to
the Southern Hotel to issue a marriage license,
and he made out the document with due dis
patch. authorizing William S, Harvey to marry
Mary E. St. Cyr An hour after obtaining the
paper the venerable groom and his intended and
four ladies-Mrs MITCHELL a sister of Mrs st.
Cyr; Miss Mitchell, Miss st. Cvr, the young
laughter of the bride, and young lady school
mate from the Sacred Heart Convent Maryville,
Were driven in carriages to the Cathedral, on
Walnut street. where one of the strangest and
most pathetic nuptials on record was performed.
The poor old General, supported on the stronger
arm of his prospective wife, was slowly led into
the sanctuary. 1t seemed pitiful reversal of the
natural order of things that instead of the
groom fondly con-, 7cting his bride to the
altar that he in his senjlity must lean heavily
upon her lest he fall. The great church con
tanned only four ladies, an old male servant of
the Harvey family, Father Tobin, who performed
the ceremony, and police officer, who, attracted
by the pair entering the church, strayed in and
saw the unusual spectacle. The services were as
brief as the reverend father could make them.
1t was just 4:30 when the pair were pronounced
one, and as slowly as they had entered the small
wedding party emerged from the church. and the
carriages carried their occupants to the steamer
City of ST Louis, where General Harvey and his
newly welded wife ha secured passage for New
Orleans. The honeymoon, If such term can
apply to such union, will be spent quietly
the old soldiers plantation. When they had bid
den the couple goodbye, Mrs. Mitchell was
taken to her home, 2306 Eugenia street, and the
young ladies conveyed TO the convent. The
most interesting part of this strange affair
mains to be told
General Harvey yesterday signed a marriage
contract with Mrs. St Gyr, in which he gave to
her all the property held by him in fee simple
and one half the property in which he has life
interest.
The General held great deal of city ard sub
urban property in his own right. but exactly
how much is not known. In addition to this he
received large amount from his first wife, who
was Mullanphy. in which, however he has but
a life interest This marriage settlement was
made only a few hours before the ceremony, and
Indicated the purpose of the old gentleman to
reward Mrs St Cyr for her fidelity to him with
everything he possessed. 1t is related of the
General that for the past five years he has been
Tnder the complete domination and control of
his new wife He could hardly bear her out of
his sight and whenever she went out for a time
he was perfectly miserable until she returned.
He cared Tor no one but her. and
was contented only when she was by
his side. Mrs. St Cyr was formerly
a Miss Cromwell, of Baltimore Her
husband was member of the old French family
of St Cyrs, who formerly resided on the Belle
fontaine road, near Florissant. The lady is hand
some, amiab!e and very highly accomplished
Mr. John NJ. Harvey the only son of the anti
quated bridegroom, is out of the city and knew
nothing of the wedding. His two sisters, both
of whom married members Of the French nobil-
ity are residing in Paris They will inherit the
property of their mother when their father dies
but his own estate goes entirely to the former
Mrs St Cyr General Harvey came to St.
Louis three or four days ago, and was assigned
his old rooms at the Southern The employees
of the hotel say that he has lost his mind, but a
friend declares that mentally he is as vigorous
ever Physically the aged man is very weak
and can hardly live more than a year About
six months ago he was seriously ILL., and Mrs. St
Cyr waited upon him day and night.