The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1888-01-04
THIS WAS A CRUEL HOAX.
WHO ADVERTISED THE MARRIAGE
OF MISS STOKES ANDMR. DODGE.

The Young People Have Not Been
Welded, and the Matter Grieves TWO
Well Known Faniles-A Search to
be Made for the Perpetrator OF the
Hoax Was it "a Students Wild
Prank
From the Ne'C York World.
DODGF-sTOKES- Privately, on Saturday,
pec 81 i6S5 IuY. daughter of Thomas Stokes
70 WALTER PHr1rs DODGE No cards.
This advertisement appeared in the World
sundav The information it contains, how
ever is untrue, as Miss Stokes is not mar
ried TO Mr. Dodge Or TO any other one The
notice was sent by some person who evil
IDENTIFY has some grudge against one or both
of the families.
Walter Phelps Dodge is a son Of Stewart
Dodge. who married a sister of William
Waiter Phelps. Thomas Stokes, the father
of the Young lady, is first cousin Of young
podge's father, so the young people are sec
ond cousins. Young Dodge is Is, and is
in his " freshman year at Yale. He
is at present spending the holiday season
with his relatives in the city, and has spent
his time betw 4cn the Buckingham Hotel,
where Mrs William Walter Phelps makes
her home when IN the city, and the residence
OF his uncle George l.. Dodge, at No. lS3
Madison avenue Miss Lillian May Stokes
is but IS years old, but with much force of
character, is amiable and well liked In her
own circle. Prior n the death of hsrmOther,
which occurred but five weeks ago, she
spent some time abroad with her invalid
parent. She owns considerable property IN
her own right, which she inherits from her
mo her, and lives with her father, Thomas
Stakes at No 6l2 Fifth avenue
The publication of the notice has caused
all parties much distress and annoyance.
Yesterday morning, when young Dodge
picked up his paper, he saw the notice and
was naturally much surprised 1t flashed
upon him that he was one of the victims of
3 cruel Joke. He consulted with his aunt
as to the best course to pursue, and in the
Ineanv lille a messenger arrived bearing
note TO Mrs. Dodge from Miss Stokes, in
which the young lady expressed her pain at
having such a thing happen, and said that
her father would use every means in his
power to discover the perpetrator of the
hoax. Upon advice, young Dodge immedi-
ately set out for Englewood to confer with
his uncle, William Walter Phelps The
latter furnished the young man with letter
addressed to Mr.. Smith, of the Associated
Press. 1t read:
Some person sent to certain papers OF this
city notice of the marriage on Saturday of Mr..
Walter Phelps Dodge TO q daughter of Thomas
Stokes, Of this city. There being nothing to
excite any suspicion of its authenticity the
notice as sent appeared in these papers this
morning. IL is declared that the story was the
joke of some person who, it is to be hoped, may
he discovered and punished for inilicting this
pain on two innocent people.
Walter Phelps Dodge said last night II
consider il a dastardly outrage and feel my
position keenly think that it is a joke of
some of the college boys. was walking on
Broadway last Wednesday, and when near
Twenty eighth street | met college friend
of mine named Edward Monice He is a
New Yorker, but [ do not know where
he lives. After a short conversation,
he said, just as we were parting:
Dodge some of the bows have put
up joke on YOU l thought no more of
1t at the time. Our dining club at college is
composed largely of New Workers, but why
they should select me as mark | am at a
loss tn say neither can form an idea as to
who did it. / have only been acquainted
with Miss Stokes short while and have
seen her but three times. The thing is out
rageous. / learn also that Friday there APP
peared in another newspaper notice of the
engagement of myself and the young lady.
The scheme seems to have been a sy stematiC
one and guided by a spirit of maliciousness. y
Thomas Stokes, father of the young lady,
said last night that the publication had
caused ali the family much pain, and that
BE was certain Of finding out who had done
st. The suspicion was pretty well fixed,
but in view of lack of sufficient proof he
preferred to say nothing.
the advertisement was brought to this
office Saturday afternoon at about o'clock
by a Toy who gave his name as Robert X
Bassett, of No. POI West Twenty fifth
street Bassett is 10 years old, and has been
employed in TOurtelle'S stationery stol e.
under Daly's Theatre, on Broadway be-
tween Twenty and Thirtieth streets,
for about six weeks. He could not be seen
at his home last evening when a reporter
called there, but his mother told the follow
ing story, which she said her son had re-
lated to her.
''At about o'clock Saturday afternoon
she said, "a gentleman entered the store
where my son is employed, and purchased
Some writing paper. The gentleman started
to leave, but when he reached the door he
turned back and approaching my son, who
was behind the counter, asked him if he
would write couple OF small advertise
Inents for him and take them down town to
the newspaper offices If he was well paid
My son asked his employer if he could do so,
and upon receiving his CONSENT, wrote the
marriage notice at the gentlemans dicta-
ton. The gentleman then gave him
a s. bill and told him to
make two more copies of the
advertisement and take them 60 other
papers and to keep the change for his
trouble The gentleman, who my son said
was elegantly dressed and had plenty of
Faoney, then left and walked leisurely down
Broadway. NY son made the copies and
took the advertisements to the newspaper
offices At each he was asked his name and
address, which he gave without hesitation.
] have almost forgotten the description
Robert gave of the man, but think be SAID
he was about "A years oh, tall and rather
slender, with brown hair and moustache. My
son says that he would know him again in
stanty."
CARD.
To The Editor Of the World.
Please do me the favor TO contradict the an
nouncement of my marriage which appeared ii
to-day's paper and permit me TO add that
hope soon TO have the pleasure Of discovering
aud Furnishing the miserable scoundrel who has
taken such liberty with my name
WALTER PHELPS DODGE.
NelC York, Jan. /, 1888.