Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-08-11
A MISSING BRIDEGROOM.
He Was Locked I'm by His Mother and
There Was No Wedding.

While pretty Anrie Sloan waited anxlous>
ly Thursday evening at her uncles home,
in Elizabeth avenue, Elizabeth, y. J., sur.
rounded by her bridespaids and a housefui
OF guests. the bridegroom. Mr.. John Beattie.
was desperately endeavoring 10 effect his
escape from a room In his home, in Reid
street. where he was held a prisoner.
His mother, with the key in her pocket,
stood guard in the hall opposite his room,
determined that he should not marry con-
trary to her wishes. Police persuasion fall
ing to change her determination, the young
man remained a prisoner until yesterday,
so, for once at least love failed to laugh at
locksmiths and a long anticipated wedding
was postponed
Miss Sloan, who is the nineteen-year-old
niece OF John w. Orr. a grocer. OF Eliza
beth, lives in Brooklyn. Iowa, and has,
since last fall, been a visitor at her uncles
house. Among the clerks In Orrs store was
young Beattie, who has passed his twen-
tieth birthday. He and Miss Sloan fell in
love at once, and Thursday evening was the
time set for the wedding. The house Of the
urcle was tastefully decorated for the occa-
SIGN, and the Rev. A. Henry OF this city,
an old friend of the family, had 1ourneyed
to New Jersey to perform the ceremony.
At s o'clock the bride went to the room ad-
joining the parior 10 await the coming OF
the bridegroom. Her anxiety increased as
minute after minute passed. and still he did
rot appear. After waiting an hour, the
alarmed family sent TO ascertain the cause
Of Johns delay. Soon the messenger re-
turned, and the startling story he told
caused the bride TO fall In a swoon.
Held John I'm Duress.
After a hurried consultation police assist
ance YVES sought TO obtain the young mans
freedom. The policemen who visited the
Beattie home were met at the door by the
determined mother. who said:
John is rot yet OF age and is stln my
boy. and as such shall not marry without
my consent"
Although the policemen pleaded for IN,
release of the bridegroom, whom they heard
in the upper part of the house desperately
attempting to force his way out of the
room, his mother remained obdurate, and
was backed up in her decision by her two
other sons and weeping daughter.
Finding argument useless the rescuins
party returned to the Orr residence, where
the maids were endeavcring TO console tho
weep ng bride. The guests were dismissed
and the clergyman forced to return to his
home without fulfilling his errand.
Much sympathy is expressed for Miss
Sloan. who is an estimable young woman
the daughter OF wealthy parents. The only
reason Mrs Deattie would offer FOR her ac-
ton is that she considered John too young
to marry. She declares she knew nothing
Of the contemplated marriage until John
CO me home to dress himself for the occa-
sion. Then, ascertaining his purpose, shs
determined 10 prevent IL.
The young man gave his visitors 10 under-
stand yesterday morning that Mss Sloan
would soon become Mrs. John Beattie, his
mother to the contrary Notwithstanding.
After Beattie got out OF his room IN
which his mother had locked him and kerr
him a prisoner so that the MARRIAGE collI
not take place Thursday night at tho ap-
pointed time, he set TO work TO carry oiIt
his part OF the n arriage agreement. He lia
not want 10 take any chances Of having M.
mother interfere again, SO he quietly got
out Of town with his intended bride Friday
evening and went 10 the house Of Rev q
8. Mettleship. n Presbyterian minister al
Osborn terrace, Pleasant Township, and re-
QucSted him to perform the ceremony. When
the required Witnesses were produced Tho
minister married the couple and they vent
to Newark