Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-06-26
MAY HAVE SWORN FALSELY
Suspicious circumstances Attending Issu'
ance Of a Marriage License.
Investigation to BE Made and Guilty
Parties Punished-The Groom Conn
mitted as a VaErant.

mere dppcdTeu 1T the clerks ONCE OIL
the District Supreme Court, about noon of
Thursday last, John H. Strong, an old SOL
der. apparently at least sixty years of
age. and a woman of about forty five years
of age. who gave her name as Mary E.
Robinson. The man, who was in an intox-
icated condition. stated that he desired to
obtain a license authorizing the marriage
Of the woman and himself. He could not,
however, satisfy the clerk. Maj. L. P. Will
liams, that he had been naturalized, and
the license was refused him.
The woman, who was bedecked in bridal
attire. crowned with a wreath of orange
blossoms, from which flowed a long white
veil. was somewhat indignant when told
that the license could not be issued until
the prospective bridegroom satisfied the
clerk that he had been made citizen of
this country. OR had obtained from the dip
lomatic representative here of his native
country certificate showing that no legal
impeachment to the marriage existed.
In Spite of Law.
Taking the arm of her elderly adraIrer
she left the clerks office, declaring to the
large crowd attracted by their appearance
that she would get the license in spite of
the law. The couple. together with a little
girl, drove off in a carriage which await
ed them. The child was presumably the
WOHidli =, LOT SIG ndQ confessed TO a pre-
vious marital experience. A young colored
man occupied a seat beside the driver.
On his way to the carriage the old man
fell and accomplished slide equal to one
of the best ever made by Tommy" Tucker,
the silent first baseman of the Washington
base ball team.
Later in the day young colored man,
who gave his name as Eugene Mercer. ap-
peared at the clerks Office and applied to
Major Williams for a marriage license for
John H. Strong and Mary E. Robinson.
Aroused Suspicion.
Recalling the names of his visitors earlier
in the day. Major Williams particularly
inquired of Mercer the age and color of the
parties for whom he desired the license.
Mercer placed the mans age at thirty-two
and the woman's at twenty-five years. He
also stated that both were colored. Major
Williams doubted the truth of MERGERS
statement, but as the man, as required by
the new marriage law. swore that his
statements were true, the marriage license
was issued to him.
Yesterday the Rev. Jos. T. Kelley, pas
tor of the Fourth Presbyterian Church,
made a return to the license issued to
Mercer, showing that he married the couple
at his residence, SO 4th street, the same
day the license was issued. Mr.. Kelley, 1t
Is said. stated that the parties he married
were white people. and that their ages
agreed with the statements made by the
couple to whom Major Williams refused to
Issue license.
The Case Reported.
Mr.. John r. Young today reported the
case to Detective Mattingly, with the re-
quest that he investigate It. If the detec-
tive discovers that Mercer swore falsely in
making the application for the license, Mr.
Young will ask Attorney Davis to prose-
cute him for perjury, and the man and
woman for subornation of perjury, If they
induced Mercer to swear falsely.
What may prove to be a sequel to the
former transaction transpired in the Police
Court today, wher a man who gave his
name as William Strang, an old pensioner
was arraigned as a vagrant, q rather In
teresting story being brought to light.
An Incident Recalled.
Readers OF The Star will recall the horri-
BILE accident which befell a man named
Robinson. driver of the animal wagon of
the health department, about ten days ago
On New Jersey avenue. In some manner
Robinson was thrown from his seat to the
driving passed over him, infiicrfng fatal in
5uries The last words OF Robinson at the
hospital. prior to his DEATH were a request
to see his wife.
Widows Weeds Doned.
The funeral of Robinson was hardly over
1t Is said. when the widow was Joined in
holy matrimony to the man who appeared
In the Police Court dock today. The couple
went on wedding trip to Baltimore and
Obliged In strong drink. What is common-
~ described as prolonged spree followed.
The direct sequence was his arraignment a.
vagrant.
After the facts were explained to Judge
kimball. he decided to separate William
from his bride for ten days. to give him
time to sober up. While the effects Of the
liquor are wearing away Williams address
win be washington Worihouse, d. c."
Potomac Council Elects OAcers.
At the regular meeting Of Potomac Coun-
ell. No. 20. Jr. o. U. A. n, the following
officers were elected: Jr. p. c., H. c. But
Ter; councillor. A. J. Dixon: v. c., J. r.
Brown: R. g.. c. L. Tucker; A. r. q. 8.
D. Yea: T. g.. J. W. Milstead; treasurer.