Waterbury evening Democrat., 1893-07-27
OUTWITTED WHITE CAPS
Tar, Feathers and a Rail For a
Grandfather Bridegroom.
NYAoK FOLKS WERE INDIGNANT.

Old John Medling Stole March on the
Regulators by Marrying His 16-ycar-
old StePgranddaughter-H Had Been
Warned by White Caps.
NYACK, y. y. July 27.-There was an
outburst of virtuous Indignation among
the good citizens of Ramapo, n. j, when
they learned about old John Meetings.
pretty young housekeeper, Jennie Shelley.
The girl was known as the old mans
granddaughter and the townspeople did
not propose to allow John to pay open
court to her if they could prevent it. A
w hite cap committee was formed, rail,
tar and feathers were procured and ar
rangements were made to practically dem
onstrate to John Medling the error Of his
ways.
Everybody was ready except the pro-
posed victim, who had other plans. He
stole march on the white caps and made
pretty Jennie his wife, and now the town
ship is in a futter of excitement.
Medling lived happily for six or seven
years with his old wife in what is known
as the old engine house until about three
months ago, when Mrs. Medling died and
John was left alone to continue his bust
ness of making shoes.
His Pretty StepGranddaughter.
He became lonesome. and things around
the house began to look untidy and neg
lected until few weeks ago some of the
late Mrs. Meetings. relatives living in Mon
roe sent Miss Jennie Shelly. a plump lassie,
who looks about 16 years old, to rearrauge
his household affairs and to keep them in
order. When the rumor spread that the
pretty maiden was the old mans grand
daughter and some peppers reported love
making in the household about week
ago, a white cap committee called on Med
ling and suggested some alteration in the
arrangements, intimating that detach-
ment of tar and feather battalion was in
the process of formation.
No change followed, and the white cap
chiefs met in secret COnclave and issued n
solemn warning, allowing three days
grace. This brought matters to a crisis
and day or two ago John and Jennie met
in Suffern, y. J., to invoke the aid of
Squire Wanamaker, who upon his return
from his days work found them awaiting
him.
They told the squire that they wished to
be married. giving him at the same time
/ their version OF the case and of the annoy
ances to which they had been subjected
| They made sworn answers to ell the statu-
| tory questions put to them. Medling said
/ he was an Englishman, IS years old. add
| ing that his wife, who was 20 years old,
| had died about three months before. and
| that his chosen bride was the granddaugh-
ter of the late Mrs. MedlinS by her first
/ marriage.
Miss V. Shelley said she was born in the
| Isle of Guernsey is years ago, and she cor:
roborated Meetings. statements as to her
relationship with his former wife Having
become satisfied that no legal objection ex-
listed to their union, the squire with due
solemnity Joined the old man and his step
| granddaughter as husband and wife, &C
cording to the laws of the state.
A rig from Finuegan's livery stable took
them on their bridal tour % their home. and
they soon made themselves secure from in
trusion by many bolts and bars.
Scarcely had this been done when the de
tachment of the tar and feather battalion
arrived with three cornertd rail. pail OF
tar and bag of feathers. They eudravur-
ed to secure possession OF the bridegroom :
person. The marriage was announced
Through the closed door as soon rs a hear.
ing could be obtained, and one or two sill.
yer certificates fluttered from a window
followed by a request that the good heal; h
and happiness of the newly married couple
he drunk at the neighboring tavern. Then
| all was peace and harmony.