New-York tribune., 1885-07-07
THEY WERE MARRIED IN FUN
MISS FLORA HAsTINGgs EscApApE.
THE Trouble WHICH ENsUED-A HAPPY SETTLE
MENr NOW IN PROSPECT.

THE Trouble WHICH ENsUED-A HAPPY SETTLE
MESr NOW IN PROSPECT.
When Miss Flora A. Hastings was married to
James Oh. Kelly "just for the fun the thing q
Allegheny Station va October o. 1875 abe sonly
seventeen years cid and no was about eighteen she
standing with him the station platform waitna
for train, whom he persuaded her that would bs -
excellent joke to have the ceremony nerformed
and that he would always regard IL -
such and never claim her for his vifA.
priest who with them. entering into the spirit Of
the thing, asked each II the other accepted -
Spouse to which he received affirmative reply, but
he did not pronounce them man and wife. She pre.
ceeded upon her journey and never lived with Kelly.
In June 1885, shs visited Virginia and Kelly for
first time since the mock marriage At this time she had
come from California, where she had mexntims married
and had child Her husband there had heard Of the
first marriage ceremony and, making inquiries, had
received word that Kelly still claimed to bo her husband
Upon this her husband in California began suit for d.
vorce and her visit Virginia this time for the
purpose Of ASKING Kelly to declare that the whole thing
was joke and to give up all claim to her. This he
fused to do and declared that she legally his wf
Therefore she brought snt in the supreme Court u
this state, where she took up her abode asking -
have the marriage for fun annulled, on the
ground that Kelly had persuaded her to 1t by falsely
representing that 1t was joke.
Referee Abram King who appointed to ascertain
tHo nc Sbdtcs tbat Wicn
plaintiff thirteen years DID, her mother took hes
from San Francisco where they living 10 the Notre
Dame Academy in Baltimore During the vacation In
1872 her mother took her to the Sweet Chalybcsse
Springs. Virginia. where she became acquainted with
Kelly and thereafter she spent her vacations yearly -
1875 10 company with Kelly his two sisters aud the
In open carriage to the station about nine miles dis
tant, reaching there between and p H. During the
took her by the hand .ad 1t would be lot. q mn"
to be married. He led her 10 the priest, who We!
standing some distance on on the platform, and askee
him TO marry them.
Jim, do you want to marry Floral. asked the
Walsh said to her, Flora. do you to marry jim"
don't object" she replied, and Kelly answered. IAN
rsi reS Asn and sIs he sa 70 se
Bidding Kelly goodbye al the station Miss Hasngs
they stald all night at hotel Without their knowledge
sS Ksy and H1d met .S ss q as s. tn;
the morning No aliusiOn was made to
S m ns s tho x
Baltimore which she continued to attend for several
Kelly KEEL made no s TO her ,s and
Mas Flora Hastings. Finally returning IN san Fran
Wssn s sbs again sissd sweet cSaDneats spass
s ses s her sa. he 5. s sEi's: :r .
he had written to the priest TO ask WAS So ana haa
riase annuea On tie ground that his VIII. had bess
previously married and had husband still living wa?
brought In San Francisco on July IL, 1883. he asked
the award him the custody OF their only child
The referee in his report which was confirmed yss.
terday by Justice Andrews says; "H the alleges
marriage to be considered ia conssction with the
statutory requirements Of Virginia It Is manifest
that when the yonng and inconsdsrate couple
in utter disregard OF the provisions OF the statute with
out license, or the consent Of their parents and with
out the presence OF witnesses entered into the form OF
ceremony railroad station Al night they did nos
consummste or lawfully Join In marriage contract The
defendants conduct In Inducing the plaintiff to enter
into the mock and subsequent claim upon ler
after the lapse OF many years, must be deemed
fraudulent and the plaintiff is entitled to relief In
equity from the alleged contract by which her reputation
and her child have become nvoy6G The referee con-
cudes that tho alleged ceremony did not Constitute
egai marriage contract