Fort Worth gazette. [volume] (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1891-1898, 1894-05-20
SHE MARRIED BY PROXY.
A STRANGE WEDDING CEREMONY
PERFORMED IN NEW YORK.
Frank l.. Gsarity, the bridegroom,
Was Dying in Texas, When lie
Married Mias Morris, who Was
Thousands of Miles Away.

| prints the fOlloWlnB TeInufhhpie eeNi , .
Miss Julia w, Morris OF os Lexington
avenue, became Mrs. Frank f. Gearity
last Friday evening by proxy. She
was married to Mr.. Gearity in this
manner at ST. Francis Xavier's church,
in Sixteenth street, near sixth avenue,
-on the date mentioned. by the Rev.
Father Halpin of st. FranclD Xavier's
college.
Mr.. Gearity at the time was very Ill
In FL paso, Tex, and the ceremony
was performed at his urgent request
contained In kilograms which were
sent to his finance here on May II.
Tint marriage by proxy had been
contemplated by Mr.. Gearlty and Miss
Morris was shown by telegram OF May
II. It came from friend OF the sick
man, and read:
Have consulted competent judge.
Texas law prohibits marriage by proxy.
Mr. Gearity gives his consent to mar
riage by proxy in New York. You APP
point proxy. He is very low.
The second telegram sent the same
day was from Miss Genrlty's dying
finance ard was pathetic in the sig
nificance OF his last earnest wish
flashed across continent in time to
prevent grim death from setting his
stern decree against the ceremony:
want to marry you by proxy.
Please name proxy.
Prepared for the Ceremony.
Miss Morris first thought was TO
comply with the earnest wish of the
man to whom she had been engaged
for five years. and with all the resolu-
ton she could summon she choked
back the tears and prepared for the
sad ceremony. The telegram request
ing theN marriage by proxy had been
properly witnessed and all she had to
do was to select the man who should
stand up with her as MIR, Gearitys
proxy.
She chose for that office her cousin.
Mr., Robert J, Hoey, and with him she
went to st. Francis Xavler's. where
the Rev. Father Halpln, to whom the
situation had already been explained,
stood ready TO perform the unusual
service. Miss Morris was naturally
visibly moved as the words were pro-
nouneed which united her to her be-
trothed, whom she knew to be dying
hundreds Of miles away. 1t was only
natural that unbdden tears filled her
| eyes when she compared her sad nup-
tials with what might have been.
When the ceremony was over a tele-
gram to the effect that his request had
been compiled with and that he hnd
been welded to the woman he loved
30 well was sent to the dying bride
groom 1t reached him on Saturday.
und within forty-eight hours he was
dead-but dead with the knowledge
That his hearts desire had been at
tanned
l saw Miss Morris. or Mrs. GearIty.
at her home No. 90 Lexington ave
nue., yesterday afternoon. She was spr.
fering from nervous strain ana had
refused herself 10 callers all day. She
was dressed n deep mourning, and
spoke OF her sad position in low
tones.
EugnEcd for Five Years.
Il regret more than l can say the
publicity which is likely to be given
to my marriage by proxy to Mr. Gear.
ity" said the newly-made wife and
widow
He came here to live more thnn
six years ago. We had been engaged
for five years, but there We're reasons
which prevented our marriage. When
three months ago his physician toId
MT Gearuy that unless he went away
he would surely die OF quick consump-
ton he did as he was advised mud
went TO Colorado Springs In the fun
hope that he would soon return home
well man. Instead OF getting better
he grew rapidly worse. and a month
ago he went to III Paso, Tex. from
whence he sent the telegram which
resulted In our marriage by provv
The marriage notice was printed in the
Herald ON Sunday, and that same
night my husband died.
Mr.. Gearity left no property. ana
SO fur as I know, no relatives, our
marriage, however, gives me the
mounful privilege, at least of tho
disposal OF his body, which have
Just received word leaves Ell Paso to.
night. expect it Will arrive here
about midnight Saturday.
Has No Doubt as 60 ITS Lcrnlt,x
81 consulted counsel before ro,r,
through with the ceremony by proxy
and haven't the slightest doubt that
the marriage Is perfecly legal"
Mrs. Gearlty is woman OF rasra
ment and has very pleasant manners
She told me MIR. Geartiy was about
20 years old, and she appears to nav
been some ten years his Junior.
1 learned that Mr.. Gearlt,, usoa
be one of the leading men in Tho an,
department OF the dry goods rirm -
Tent. Weller & Co. Since his ,lIr.S,
began he has had to practicnIy 80
up his business. He was consiaersd
an excellent business man and wss
very popular. w was
The Rev. Father Halpln Is on, =,
the city and win not return for several
days, but at St. Francs xavie, rs'@
was told that the marriage was IN,
doue'sdly legal on The ground tho,
NnN