The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1891-06-18
MARRIED BY SQUIRES.
JUSTICES WHO TIE THE KNOT FOR
LOVING COUPLES.

JUSTICES WHO TIE THE KNOT FOR
LOVING COUPLES.
Funny Stories Gathered in Justices Of
hoes-Young People Prefer Civil Mar
riage Because It Is Free from Formal
ity and Is Less Expensive.
Hundreds of couples are each year
united by the justices of the peace of St.
Louis. 1t is almost surprising to what
extent people seek this form of civil mar
rage. The two hearts that are made to
beat as one by suave justice are by no
means always those of giddy young
clippers, as the general public believes.
"What is the reason that so many peo-
pie prefer court marriage to a religious
oner was asked Squire Frank Spaulding.
~ think that in the majority Of cases
it is because it is so free from formahty.
There is no time lost in making the
couple man and wife. The form pre-
scribed by the statute does not take more
than half minute to 60 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 inn
mediate wants. Then great number
Of people are bashful and do not like to
stand up in front of a crowd and be mar
ried. They can go before magistrate
and be united in the presence Of only
two or three persons"
'sDo 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 license. and he was
half scared to 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
hr 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
alwayssxwondered what kind of a life
that pooF 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
q 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.
Gas soon as he pronounced them man
and wife the young girl threw up her
hands and fell into chair in dismay.
Great Godl what will my mother say?
This is Protestant marriagep she cried.
She was devout Catholic, and thought
she was only going through part Of the
forms to secure alicense Although they
were married as tight as the law could
do it, they were married that night by a
Catholic priest"
'sDo you have many runaway couples
call upon you" was asked.
mot 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 couple went
into Squire Taft's Office. He was out,
and they sat down on bench to rest.
They had made long journey, and the
first thing the groom did was to 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,
and at the conclusion Of the ceremony
said, 4 don't know which refreshed me
the most, going to sleep or getting mar
ried.'
FUNNY INCIDENTS.
1.-THE funniest incident know of was
the groom that forgot his brides first
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%
mo; but about half of them follow
me up. The general impression of the
poorer classes. is that man who can
marry them can also unmarry them. |
should say that fully five out Of every
ten couples marry come around again
and want divorce. Then in a great
many cases when the couple have a
quarrel the husband tears up the mar
riage certificate and tells his wife they
are no longer welded. The wife gener-
ally comes around to see me and give
her new one.
81 remember couple married a
short time ago. They went off on bridal
trip to Illinois, and had quarrel about
two days after the marriage. The hus-
band left, vowing he was coming back
and get the marriage certificate, and by
tearing it up break off the marriage.
The wife telegraphed to me not to give
him the certificate. They made up later,
and are now living happily together.
Squire Taft used to make kiss the
bride part Of the ceremony. One day
young fellow and g woman Of about
mony, the squire said, Kiss the BRIDE
she T,svoltad sI,rn too old fo, that sha