The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1895-12-06
WASN'T so DREADFUL.
How Annie Barfisld Got a Husband and
Seems be Happy.

Seems to be Happy.
John Drake of 507 Chandler street,
took a peculiar way to get wife last
night He is AZ years old with three or
four children and last evening he was
married to a girl of 20. He got his
spouse by the aid of an employment
agency.
Two weeks ago Miss Annie E. Barfield
came to Topeka from Keats, Kan, a
small town on the Rock Island. She did
so in answer to a request from the en-
ployment agency in room No. 6, 106 East
Sixth street, upstairs, run under the
name of Mrs. Morrison s. Bro. The
brothsr is a man by the name of Leonard,
better known as Red, tho Switchman. -
Miss Barfeld was sent at once to the
home of John Drake, coal wagon
driver employed by Col. J. w.
T. Hughes. She came to Topeka
with the sole object of getting work, but
in the two weeks marriage has been
proposed. agreed TO and consummated.
There were stories afoat yesterday
that Miss Bar6eld had been forced into
the marriage. That she had been fright
ened by threats of life worse than mar
ried bliss. This came TO the ears of the
police and the police matron was sent TO
investigate.
Mrs. Thorpe arrived at the little brick
house in Parkdaie and found the bride in
her wedding toilet and the odor of the
wedding supper permeating the rooms.
When she explained her mission the
young lady blushed crimson, but an
swered that she was of age and thought
it would be a good home for her.
Miss Barfield herself secured the mar
risge license yesterday afternoon. She
was accompanied by c. II. Leonard, who
handed card to the probate judge and
then left. The card read: "By request,
3Ir C. 81. Leonard accompanies the
young lady to secure a marriage
license, as [ am busy at my work and
cannot leave" Signed. John Drake.
The marriage took place at 7 o'clock
last night, but even the next door neigh
bors are ignorant of il. 1t is being kept
from them for some reason or other.
When a reporter called today and asked
for Mrs. Drake, the woman living next
door north was with her. "Why, there
is no Mrs. Drake" said Mrs. Drake, nee
Barheld.
"Then the marriage didn't take place"
remarked the reporter.
At this Mira. Drake snickered and
looked confused. The neighbor was
good enough to leave. When she was
gone Mrs Drake confided to the re-
porter that the marriage did take place,
but she didn't want that woman to
know it,"
There was no trouble, assure you,"
she said in answer TO questions:
Il didn't expect to get mar
ried when came here. l
came here to go to work. 1 have seen
Mr. Leonard of the employment agency
| before and he sent me word to come here,
saying he had a place for me to work.
81 wonder who is telling these stories
she said. ''Soms body sent you here.
Did Leonard tell you about my trouble!
There was a woman here last night ask
ing the same questions you are. Oh,
know, you are relative of the
probate judge, where 1 got the
license yesterday, and he sent you
! down."
The reporter denied everything.
The house is little brick one in the
heart of Parkdale. One OF brakes
daughters is grown up and married, and
the little house also shelters these two.
This is the third time upon the matri-
monial sea for Drake. His second wife
| is living, and is the wife OF man named
Kidney, living near Tecumseh.