The morning call., 1893-08-20
BEYOND THE BAR.
A Nevada Couple Welded
on a Tug.
THEY EVADE THE STATUTES.
The NuptiaI Ceremony Is Performed
by the Skipper Three Marine
Leagues Off Shore.
THEY EVADE THE STATUTES.

otttt n luz iNtildUcc, near Tue WDIsIliUg DuOV,
oil San Francisco harbOr August 10, 1898,
AT 5;o2 z. NJ. by the Rev. Cap ain Gilbert II.
Bfo"aw. Frederick More Nightmah and
Emma Snow Downs, both OF the State OF
Nevada. No cards.
1t was not exactly what you would call q
romantic wedding. but there were the ele-
ments of the unusual about the affair
consequently. it was Of more than passin G
interest. The way it came about was
thus:
She was too young to be married accord
Ing To the statutes made and provided in
the State of Nevada; that is to say. she
was under 10 years of age. He loved her,
and she loved him. They came to San
francisco, where they found the same legal
impeachment; but there is no Legislature
big enough TO make laws TO govern the
Pacific Ocean. so there they went. out on
the salt waves, and were made husband
and wife.
Mr. Wightman is 20 years of age. the son
of well-tO-dO parents, who own farm in
Churchill County. New. However. lie has
been working near LovelOcks, Humboldt
County, for l.. l.. Downs. and fell in love
with his employers only daughter. who is
in her fifteenth year. They plighted
trOth and were to have been mar
ried on the 22l, but found on application
that The County Clerk would not issue
license. All of the relatives on both sides
had been invited, and the young people
did not wish to disappOlnt them. particu-
larly as they intended to give dance and
had engaged the music; neither did they
esire TO wait for the earth to revove CON-
pletely around the sun and 128 days on top
of that in order that Miss Downs might at
tain legal age, so they came TO San Fran
cisco. Here they were confronted with
the same cruel, inexOrable law.
Fortunately Mr.. Wightman was provided
with letter from LOvel0cks merchant
TO Moore, Ferguson & Co. of this city. and
thrOngh them arrangements were made
TO charter the tug Reliance fer trip be-
yond the jurisdiction of landlubbers
About half past o'clock the loving pair
were driven from the Russ House TO the
FOlsom-street pier, where they hurried
aboard the tug. accompanied by George A.
Nestgate, and were ensc0nced IN the
pilot-house. The only other passenger.
except brace of reporters, was Reginald
L. Guard, in charge of j. ID. Spreckels
Bros. & Co.'s freight department He
served as chaperone, master of ceremonies
and bridesmaid.
Neither the bride nor the groom had
ever before seen ship. nor had they ever
travelled upon water, fresh or salt, smooth
or rough. The tug went to sea against
food tide and a twenty-eight mile north
NESb lliu. anu ouc hdo QuiuB lCI DtS't
turning 105 revolutions minute. The
white caps broke over her bows and the
spray came daShng against the sides of
the house like water from fire hose.
1t is not worth while to go into particu-
lars. Young ladies who have crossed out
in smoother weather on some great big
steamship and soon sought the Secusion
of their comfortable staterOom may inn
agine the physical feelings of that bueoIc
bride. cooped up in the wheeih0use, the
tug pitching over every wave and, to vary
the monotony, rolling occasionally from
side 10 side. Off Point LObOs Captain
BrOkaW sacrificed speed TO humanity and
slowed the tug down. but even then it ID
not quiet the apprehension of the interest
ing people In whose behalf the voyage
was made.
Upon arrival off the whistling buoy the
throttle was closed ami the tug rolled in
the trough of the sea. All hands were
which took place in front of the pilot
house. The deck was wet and slippery.
Mr.. Guard lifted the bride out of the
pilot-house and supported her 10 the CEN
ter of the boat, no ding her by the left
hand during the service. while the groom
held her right,
In her face and on her lips there was
less color than in the dull gray trimming
of her neat-titting silk dress, but she was
brave just the same, and though weak,
kept up beroically. The groom had tU
shift position with the roll Of the vessel in
order TO maintain his equilibrium ana
once or twice his feet would have slipped d
but for the support of Mr.. Westgate, who
acted as best man
Captain Brokaw read the Episcopal
marriage service in good voice and the re-
| sponses were audible to the little company.
| He aid not exact kiss from the bride nor
| did the husband indulge in an osculatory
/ display of affection.
! MIR. Guard remarked, eheerfully, "WelI,
| it's all over" and Mr.. and Mrs. Wightman
returned To the wheelhOuse, the crew to
their stations and the officiating officer
| proceeded to make out certificate of mar
/ riage in due form on one of the leaves OF
! the logooc6. TINS is the third time that
/ he has performed the marriage ceremony
| and he has been dubbed "Parson''
! BTokaw.
| With the tide and wind favorable, the re.
| turn trip was not 80 bad. The couple came
out on deck ana were real ''socabe." Mr..
| Wigh'man remarked that they'd have that
! dance jast the same Oh the night of the %
and no one would he disappointed. They
returned to the Russ House, went in the
evening to see Jane" at the California
and will start for home tomorrow morn.
| ing