The Kimball graphic. (Kimball, Brule County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1905, 1886-08-27
Four Thousand Marriages.
From the Louisville Courier Journal.

From the Louisville Courier Journal.
Aberdeen, O., is small suburb OF
Maysville, and is the most famous
Gretna Green in the United States. 1t
is the home OF Massie Beasley, the
most celebrated matrimonialist ofthe
present age. 1t is u Mecca toward
which elopng couples have been max
ing pilgrimage for over seventy years.
Nearly eight thousand runaway cou-
pies have evaded the stubborn will
OF parents and been united tor better
or worse in this quiet little village.
The fame OF This town is not To-
cal, or even confined to Ohio and Ken.
lucky, but has gone everywhere. A vls-
it to Maysville is nevercomplete with
out crossing the river and call on
Squire Beasley, the veteran "knot
tier" The cause OF the wonderful pop
ularity Of this place with anxious
lovers is found in the fact that the
usual restrictions imposed by law are
hereignored, and no licenseis required
nor questions asked. The loving pil.
grims who have knelt at this shrine,
thus dedicated to Cupid, have after
wards proved shining ornaments to
society, and useful and honorable
citizens.
The commencement OF these mar
riages dates back to 1915, when Thorn
as Shelton was elected magistrate.
Squire Shelton held this position con.
tinuously till his death in 1869, and
during this period, extending over
tifty-four years OF time, SO great was
his popularity and so widely was he
known that he joined in marriage over
1000 couples. His successor III Of
flee was the present magistrate, Mas
sic Beasley, Who was elected in April,
1870, and has continuously held the
position ever since.
Squire Beasley was born in ISL,
in Brown County, o., about four
miles from Aberdeen, and spent his
early life on farm. He aiterward
followed the occupation OF surveyor
and civil engineer. In 1850 he was
elected magistrate, and served six
years, and in that time married with
| license about sixty couples. From
1856 to 1860 he was Mayor OF Aber-
deem. From 1850 to 1870 he was
Director of the Aberdeen School Dis
trict and Deputy Tax Collector for
Huntington Township. During the
fifteen years Squire Beasley has held
the Office of Magistrate he has mar
ried over 8, 7OOcouple.
from Kentucky, but nearly every
State has been represented from time
to time. West Virginia, Indiana and
Illinois have sent a great many. 1t
is no rare occurrence for q couple to
hail from Tennessee or even Wiscon.
sin.
One would naturally suppose this a
very lucrative position, and it is. No
fixed fee is charged, and the rule is to
get all you think the best man will
pay. In Squire Shelton's' day a
couple came from Louisiana and paid
$50, which was the largest fee he ever
got. A few years ago couple from
New York City paid Squire Beasley
$40, which is the largest fee he has re.
ceived. Squire Beasley's clstomis to
charge man according to his general
appearance and seeming ability to
pay. If his dress and manner indicate
that he halls from the mountains, a
small fee is asked. On the other hand,
if he thinks he comes from the Blue.
grass region, his services are valued
high. The Squire always presents the
blushing bride with his cabinet photo
and since he is very handsome man
many n parlor mantel in the state
is ornamented with his picture
| One season of the year is as good as
another for his business, and he is
often as busy in the hot months O.
summer as in the cold OF winter. Dur