The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1894-09-12

A romantic love story eliminated
Monday in decree OF divorce issued
at 10 o'clock in the morning. a mar
riage at noon and the death Of the
groom few hours later, The princi-
pal actors in the pathetic story were
W. H. Thompson, last years county
chairman Of the Peoples party, we'll
known in this citv's labor circles, and
Mrs Mary E. McQuade, who became a
widow within three hours.
The marriage ceremony was per-
formed by Rev Warren G. Partridge,
Of the Penn Avenue Baptist church. at
the bedside Of the dying man in the
presence Of few friends and wit
nesses. II was the third time Mrs
McQuade had become a wife.
Her maiden name was Miss Mary E,
Fry and soon after the death Of her first
husband, named Behrsns, she was mar :
ried to William ]. MeQuade, June .16,
1889, by Rev. D. D. Spencer, then of the
Penn Avenue Baptist churcn, and lived
with him at 35 Dana street, Wilkes
Barre. McQuade deserted her Nov 6.
1891, and has not been heard from
since. Soon after her desertion Mrs
McQusde came to Scranton and for O
time was clerk in Whites bakery at
1926 Penn avenue.
BECOMES STRONGLY ATTACHED.
During last year strong bond Of
friendship existed between her and
Thompson. He was foreman in the
printing establishment OF the People
company. and prior to that had edited
the Industrial News, Of which he was
the founder.
Mrs. McQuade soon became known
as Mrs. Thompson, and his friends
supposed Mira McQuade was his wife.
In December, through her next friend,
John Carlson, she instituted divorce
proceedings against McQuade on the
ground Of desertion. In June of the
present year ample proof was offered
that the defendant could not be found
and evidence was heard by Judge
Archibald, whose decree, granting the
woman complete release from her VOWS
to MeQuade. was obtained only Mon
day morning at 10 o'clock.
Meanwhile, during the period of di-
vorce proceedings, disease had fast
ened itself upon Thompson and he was
dying slowly but surely at his home,
1928 Forest court. Mrs. McQuade
nursed him tenderly, submitted to
personal deprivations and made every
possible effort toward his comfort.
Thompson finally really realized that
his life was in immediate danger, and
wishing to make Mrs. McQuade his
wife. solicited the assistance of Albert
B. Clay. who is associated with loan
association and has an Office in the
Dime Bank building.
Gu Saturday Mr.. Clay and others
knew that the sick mans lease on life
was short, and made strenuous efforts
to obtain Mrs McQuade's divorce de
cree. However, owing to the interven-
tion of Sunday the valued paper could
not be secured until Monday morning.
He cLUNG TO LIFE.
Many men with less will power
would have died under the strain, but
Thompson hung tenaciously to the last
glimmer Of mortality and spent thu
morning praying for a few hours res
pite from death. With the ink almos
undried on the favorable decree and
with scarcely strength to respond to
the clergyman's nuptial questions, he
became Mrs. McQusde's legal husband
at noon.
The form of his will, leaving hi
wife nominal sum of insurance anC
some real estate. had been drafted
The dates were filled in, his signatur,
attached, and within two hours Mrs
Thompson was a widow.
Thompson has always been re aspect
ed, and, his friends say, was membel
Of the Baptist church and professec
christian. That Mrs. Thompson lovet
him. there is no doubt.
Mr.. Thompson was a member of tn,
Scranton Typographical union an,
was held in high esteem by the mem
bers of that and other labor organiza
tions. His funeral will take place to
day at 2 o'clock from his late home.
P1LLsBuRY's Best makes best bread. .