New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-02-21
LONG IN FINDING OUT SIZE WAS a MAN
A PRIEST EXPLAINING WHY HE MARRIED TWO
PERSONS SEEMINGLY BOTH WOMEN.

PERSONS SEEMINGLY BOTH WOMEN.
Baltimore, Feb. 20 (speciaD.--The Rev. J. A.
Frederick pastor Of ST. Mary's Catholic Church. al
Clcrmont, Hartford County, Md, has, It IS stated
been called upon by the Cardinal for explanation
of a peculiar marriage ceremony that no performed
in September, 1883. sensational story has been
going the rounds Of the newspapers the last few days
about the marriage of two women Hanna Calder,
age thirty nine, and Katie Beall, age eighteen tho
former appearing the marriage record as the grooni
The story at first believed 10 DO hoax, IS confined
by the priest whose remarkable action has involved
him in a serious difficulty. Ten years ago no no
ceived Hanna Calder into the Catholic Church. In
speaking of Calder the priest said
He is the only member Of his family who is a
Catholic. In all these years / know him only as
an eccentric old maid lie appeared IN female attire,
though never affecting female ways Several times
he came 20 me TO obtain my consent TO marry him
10 Katie Beall. / believed him then 10 be man and
told him TO stop masQuerading and clothe himself in
masculine garments. lilo said that he dreaded being
made game of and begged to procure the mar
rage license. He brought MISS Beal to my house
and presented letter purportng 10 be from the girls
mother giving her consent 10 the marriage This
appeal moved me 70 consent 70 secure the license,
which did I'm tho Office Of the clerk OF the Court Of
Common Pleas Of Baltimore City, in the names Of
Hanna Calder and Catherine Beall. when Calder
was baptized by me, the name Elizabeth added
TO his other Christian name and he bad no other
cognomcns save these, and asked me 10 use them In
the form did, gave them TO TIE clerk September
., 1883. I married them. Catholic priests do not
act hastily In such matters. was then and am now
satisfied that did only what my duty. Several
weeks ago all sorts Of rumors concerning tho mar
rage began TO reach me. Some Of my Practitioners
preached tho subject, but toward them all | kept
silent because realized that had secret Of the
couple and was not justified in disclosing Il at the
time. At last these opportunities became so annoy
ing that was compelled 10 take decisive step to-
ward supprcssng them. Accordingly, last Sunday
morning during services Informed my congregation,
without using names, that had never during my
saeerdotal career married man 20 man. nor woman 10
woman but always a man 10 a woman as God cnjolned
Furthermore, that thore what was commonly
known as tho eleventh commandment. and though
Il was an unwrt,en injunction, It would DO well for
some persons 10 observe H."
Tho parents Of both parties In this peculiar union
blame the priest for marrying them 1t is reported
that tho Rev Father Frederick has had long con-
ference with Cardinal Gibbons, and thai the priest
will shortly be transferred 20 another diocese The
father Of Hiss Bca declares that tho letter 70 the
priest purporng to gvo bis consent To bis daughters
marriage TO Calder 4 forgery The couple eit their
homo IN Hartford County, week ago, and arc now
believed 20 DO IN tho West IL Is believed that Calder
donned male attire before leaving this city.