The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1897-08-21
This One is Kept So 'eQuiet''
That No One Knew
1t Had Taken Place Until a
Month AfterWard.
SOCIETY SET TALKING
By the Secret Marriage at
Georgetown, Col.
Of Harry j. Williams and Miss
Norma Smith.

Harry j. Williams, son of Col. A. L.
Williams, of 1895 Fillmore street, was
married in Georgetown, Colo, July rs,
to Miss Norma Smith, a beautiful and
popular society girl of Topeka, who is
the niece of Mrs. A. Burkhart, of 512
Topeka avenue.
The marriage was a secret one. none
of the relatives or friends knowing OF
it's occurrence. The young couple slip
ped away from their relatives in Col
orado and were married by a justice of
the peace named Henry J. Christ. They
returned and the marriage was not
known until today when State Jour
nal reporter apprised the relatives of
the fact
In July Col. A. L. Williams and fam
lily went to Manitou to spend the sum-
mer. Harry j. Williams, the son, who
is studying law in the office of Williams
& Dillon, attorneys for the Union Pa
cific, also accompanied them. He had
been keeping company with Miss Smith
for over a year and it was currently
rumored that the young people were
engaged, although no announcement
was made.
The Williams family, who approved
the choice of young Mr.. williams. in
vited Miss Smith to visit them at Man
and his sweetheart made many pleas
ure trips together with the family.
On July 26 the two met at Denver,
and from there went to Georgetown,
where they were married. They re-
turned to Manitou, but kept their we'd
ding secret.
Both have returned to the city, Miss
Smith going to her aunt3S home, at 5l2
Topeka avenue, and Mr. Williams to
his fathers home.
When the report reached this city to-
day it was communicated to the rela-
tives of the young folks. At first both
denied it with many bushes, but final
ly Mr. Williams said: Yes. we are
smarried. I met Norma at Denver and
we went on one of those excursions
around the loop. We had about three
hours to wait over at Georgetown, and
I told Norma that always did detest
weddings, and proposed that we get
married and avoid a wedding. We did
so and returned to Manitou. We decid-
ed to keep it a secret for a while and
then to tell our relatives and friends
about it. We had intended to be mar
ried in Topeka eithep this fail or next
spring"
Archie Williams, of the law firm of
Holiday & Williams, brother of Harry
Williams, being asked about the mar
riage, said:
THAT is news to me. I didn't know
a thing aboutrit. don't see why they
wanted to get married that way. for
there was no objection raised eth
er side.'
A. Burkhart, uncle of Miss Smith. at
whose house Miss Smith has been liv-
ing. was asked about the marriage. He
said:
Il don't know a thing about it. Nor
ma never said anything about it to us.
There was no objection made on either,
side that know off,
Walter Smith of the First National
bank, brother of Miss Smith, had not
heard of his sisters marriage and was
disposed to doubt the report.
Both Harry Williams and Miss Smith
have been prominent in the younger
society circles in Topeka. Miss Smith
is a charming girl of great beauty and
there have been many suitors for her
hand. For over a year Mr.. Williams
has been most attentive.
Harry J. Williams is considered to be
a promising young lawyer. He is a
young man of genial character, exceIl-
ent attainments and a universal favor
ite.
The news of the secret marriage has
created something of a sensation in
Topeka society circles, and the young
couple will receive congratulations
from host of friends While the mar
riage was a complete surprise to the
relatives, they have received the young
people with their blessing.