The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1891-07-01
MARRIED BY SQUIRES.
JUSTICES WHO TIE THE KNOT FOE
LOVING COUPLES.

Hundreds of couples are each wear
united by the justices of the peace of st.
Louls. 1t is almost surprising to what
extent people seek this form of civil mar
rage. The two hearts that are made 70
heat as one by suave justice are bv no
means always those Of giddy Young
elopers. as the general public believes.
sWhat is the reason that so many peo-
ME prefer a court marriage 10 religious
oney" was asked Squire Frank SpauIding.
II think that in the majority of cases
it Is because it is SO free from formahty.
There is no time lost in making the
connie man aud wife. The form pre-
scribed bv the statute does not take more
than half a minute 10 go through with.
Nearly all the people united by the
magistrates are poor and unable and
unwilling to go to the expense of buying
an extensive wedding OUTFIT. They need
the money to provide for their own i'm
mediate wants. Then u great number
of people are bashful and do not like TO
stand up in front of crowd and be mar
ried. They can go before magistrate
and be united in the presence OF only
two or three persons.
"Do they always have money for the
fee?
"In nearly every case. When they
haven't l always make it my duty TO
marry them anyway"
What do they usually give TO the
magistrate:'
''Oh, it varies. The law prescribes a
fee, but people give different prices.
Usually it is five dollars About year
ago woman brought young fellow IN
here. They had a license. and he was
half scared 10 death, while she was calm
and businesslike He didn't say word
while she explained to me what was
wanted | made them man and wife.
She then reached down into pocket in
her dress, pulled out roll of bills and
handed me FIVE dollars She then gave
her husband FIVE dollar note, saying,
Go on out and treat the squire I've
always wondered what kind of a life
that poor mans leading now, for it was
evident that his wife was the head of the
family.
DIDN'T WANT TO BE MARRIED.
when | was with Squire Taft at
Eleventh and Franklin avenue, we used
to have a great many ludicrous Incl
dents. We had so many marriages there
that the place got to be known as the
marriage corner One day an intelligent
looking young couple came in. They had
heard that the place was where they
should go to get marriage licenses. They
didn't know anything about that part of
the programme. The clerk directed
them to the recorders Office. They went
and secured the license, and probably
thinking it was necessary to go through
some additional formality came back TO
our Office. Squire Taft was busy trying
a case, and at once got down off the
bench. He knew nothing of the proceed |
ing visit, and at once proceeded to go |
through the ceremony.
'As soon as he pronounced them man |
and wife the young girl threw up her |
hands and fell into a chair in dismay. |
Great Godl what viii my mother say2 |
This is Protestant marriageP she cried. |
She was a devout Catholic, and thought |
she was only going through part Of the
forms to secure abcense. Although they |
were married as tight as the law could |
do it, they were married that night by q
Catholic priest.
do you have many runaway couples /
call upon your" was asked
Not as many as the public generally |
imagine. They are generally from out |
of the city, and are tired and weary with
the journey and excitement when they /
arrive. Several years ago a couple went /
into Squire Taft's Office. He was out,
and they sat down On a bench 10 rest.
They had made long journey, and the
first thing the groom did was 10 go TO
sleep. The little girl at last gave in
too. She leaned her head upon his
breast, and both were IN the deepest
kind Of slumber when the squire came
in. No one liked to wake them, but
finally we made enough noise to arouse
them.
"a minute later they had been pro-
nounced man and wife. The groom /
laughed merrily over his falling asleep, 1
and at the conclusion Of the ceremony
said, 4 don't know which refreshed me
the most, gUng to sleep or getting mar
ned.
FUNNY INCIDENTS.
The funniest incident ! know of was
the groom that forgot his brides hrst
name. 1t wasn't long before we had
that fixed, however, and they went on
their way rejoicing"
Have you ever followed up the after
lives Of couples you have married.
HNo; but about half Of them follow
me up The general impression Of the
poorer classes is that a man VINO can /
marry them can also unnarry them 4
should say that fully Eve out Of every 4
ten couples / marry come around again 1
and want 4 divorce Then IN a great /
many cases when the couple have q
mn ar-ei the husband t1ara m tina mar