Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1896-11-27
HEARTS THUMPED IN UNISON.
And Two Wilmington Girls Aged ~
and 10 Become EIoping Brides.

1.-TWO souls with but a single thought,
two hearts that beat as one' must be re-
vised TO cover the elopement which has set
Wilmington and Brattleboro agog this
week. Instead of two hearts there were
four, and all we're beating wildly in unison
as a team bore them out of Wilmington
after the shades of night had fallen Mon
day. Up over historic old Hogback they
climbed slowly, and proceeded faster on
the long descent toward the Connecticut,
not stopping until West Brattleboro was
reached. Here the horses we're exchanged
for others and the journey continued on to
Winchester, N. H., where lodgings were
procured at the hotel for the night. The
next forenoon the four drove back TO
Hinsdale, and double wedding took place
at the Baptist parsonage, where Rev W.
E. Renshaw united the destinies of Judson
Stafford, 20, and Mabel Ballou, Is and five
months; and Walter Wilder, 20, and Ida
Canedy, 10.
Stafford is former we'll known Brattle-
boro boy, who graduated from the High
school in 80 and later from Childs's bust
ness college at Springfield, Mass. He has
been the driver of the Brattleboro and Will
mington stage for some time His wife is
the adopted daughter of Mr.. and Mrs.
Leander c. Russell of Wilmington. She
was taken into their family when baby,
but her name has never been legally
changed. Mr.. Russell is a mason by trade
and lives about one-half mile from viii
mington village. Stafford has boarded in
the family. The girl is only a child in
years and appearance, and when in Brat.
tleboro Wednesday wore short dresses.
Wilder is a carpenter by trade, and an
inn dine Fria fc ut lie
first venture in matrimony, the county
court having freed him from irksome
bonds by divorce at the last session. The
first Mrs. Wilder was young woman from
Brooklyn, n. Y, who came TO Whining
ton for a summer vacation. Wilder won
her for his own, but after six weeks they
separated. His divorce was granted on the
ground of intolerable severity. Wider's
present wife is mature appearing for girl
of l6 and good looking.
The Canedy and Russell families live
near together and the young people said
they were going TO Wilmington village TO
attend a social gathering. When they did
not return the parents of the girls became
alarmed and telephoned in every direction.
The two couples we're located at Hinsdale,
Y. f., Tuesday forenoon by Deputy
Sheriff r. w. Mcclure of Brattleboro, who
was directed to cause the arrest of the four.
The marriage VOWS had already been SOL
emnized, however. Constable Kinds of
Hinsdale, on being notified of the situa-
ton, Joined the young people and accom-
panied them TO Brattleboro, arriving here
Tuesday evening. The irate papas from
Wilmington had already arrived, but the
lawyers who were called said that both
marriages were legal. States Attorney
Fits was not sure, however. that Stafford
could live with his wife in Vermont.
The two couples stayed at the American
House Tuesday night. Mr.. and Mrs.
Wilder drove to Wilmington Wednesday
forenoon and Mr.. and Mrs. Stafford fol-
lowed later in the day. Probably the par
ents will say "Bless you my children, bless
YOU and make the best of the situation.