Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1886-06-09
Indiana,s aretna Green.

Indiana's Grstna Green.
Jefersonville, Ind, says the Louis
vile Courier journal, has long been
known as the heaven of clippers, and
many love-lorn couple from Ken
lucky, the cruel parents of whom OBJ
jected to the match, have been mated |
for life in that quiet little city. 1t ex-
tends hearty welcome to the old and
young alike, and very few questions are
asked. If both the contracting parties
are willing it only requires about 81 to
secure the services of a man who will
vouch for the ages of both. The laws
of Indiana provide that this shall be
done, but are very lenient in this respect
Full many Bluegrass maiden, upon
whose cheek the bloom of fifteen sum-
mers has scarcely touched, has found
willing witness to swear that she was
10 years of age. People of all ages,
from the sedate old widower of 60 to
the amorous youth of 20, have sought
the little city to have the words pro-
nounced which bound them to their
lady lovers. Brides in silk and brides
in calico have flown thither from an
obstinate father who objected to the
man with whom they had plighted their
troth.
Eloping couples are not the only
ones, however, who fly to lndiana's
shores. Some 60 to avoid publicity,
and large percentage of others 90 to
save the expense which wonld be nee
essary should they marry at home.
Besides, an impression seems to pre-
vail that there is a tinge of romance
attached to such marriage, in addi-
ton to the extreme novelty.
The magistrates of Jacksonville per-
form most of the marriages, and some
make regular business of waiting for
the searchers for matrimony. The
most popular and widely known of
these is Esquire Ephraim Keigwin.
The ''Little SQUIRE" as he is some
times called, is slim, wiry old gentle
man, with snow-white hair and kind
RI " smile, which treasures the timid
bride who nervously awaits the return
of her future husband with the license.
In his eight years of service he has
married 1, 487 couples, and made 1874
hearts happy or unhappy, as the case
may be. The fees he has received
range all the way from 1925 to 25 cents.
A few days since the Squire said:
''There is no such thing as sizing
up couple financially. 1 have fire.
quently gotten the largest fees from
the poorest appearing.
=; A little incident occurred to me las
week. Twas sitting in my Office wher
two young ladies entered. One sale
she had come over to be married to {
young man who was waiting dow1
stairs. She had just So SO and wanted
to know if I would get the license anc
marry them for that amount, as they
could raise no more. I, of course, con
sented, and while the young man was
gone after the license l struck up {
Conversation with the other youne
lady. She told me that I had married
her to dissolute fellow about veal
ago, and that now she was repentin&
at leisure.
''It is never too hot, or too cold, o.
too rainy; they come IN all kinds O
: weather and at all seasons. At leas
one third of the marriages have per
> formed have never been made public
and many a fair Kentucky lady il
> called Miss while she carries mar
rage certificate in her pocket. They
most always wait for favorable op
portunity to break the news to dis
senting papa or mamma.
Il was taken in badly once. A we'll
dressed party entered. The youn&
lady was dressed in richly trimmed
mourning garb, and looked the very
picture of refined sweetness. Ny hear
went out to her, and l said to myself
'Ephraim, here's a good fee for you.
One of the party clinched things BY
whispering, That's $1,000 woman.
I put on my brightest smile, and favor
ed them with my choicest and mos
poetic ceremony, not forgetting tt
kiss the bride and congratulate be-
upon having secured such a prince
among men for husband. The hus
band took me aside and told me that i,
the hurry of getting away he had for
gotten his pocketbook, but he woult
send me double fee when he 90
home. Well, sir, that man has neve
!, found his pocketbvok.
"Strange to say, very few of tn
. many I have ever married ever &c
divorces, but the majority of the PEG
pie of interior Kentucky live happily
and contented, anyhow. Only las
summer | went out into Ken lucky on {
hunting expedition. I came upon :
number of couples l had married anl
they all entertained me right royalty
, Frequently receive letters and pre-
sents from couples have married an<
. can truthfully say that in my opinion
: the most generous, kindest-heartet
, people in the world make their home
, n Kentucky
, Another very important personag,
in the matrimonial business in Jeffer
sonville must not be forgotten. Thu
is John H. Hause. His sign in from
, of little Office on Spring street reads
!, matrimonial Agency-Marri4ge Ii
censes secured for clipping couples"
: Mr.. Hause puts in his time on tn
river bank near the ferry dock. Th'
, very minute an clipping couple step
off the boat MIR. Hause has his practic
ed eye upon them. He walks up t,
}hem with a business-like air anc
after handing them his card says ii
his most suave tones: "Can l assis