The Topeka state journal., 1897-11-23
A HURRY-UP WEDDING.
Sensational Circumstances Sur
rounding the Marriage
Of Clyde Miller to Miss Grace
Caldwell at Lawrence
Are Recalled by the Announcement
of Miss PurcelPs Proposed Suit
for Breach of Promise.

The announcement in yesterday 5
Journal of the preparation of a $25, 900
breach of promise damage suit against
Clyde Miller. son of W. w. Miller, the
Usage county banker and ranchman,
created something of a sensation in
Topeka society circles where all the
interested parties are well known.
Another chapter in the affair devel-
ops in the following dispatch from
Lawrence:
Lawrence. Kan, Nov. 23.-The an
nouncement Of the filing of a breach of
promise suit by Miss Purcell of Man
haitian against Mr.. Clyde Miller of
Usage City, recalls the interesting stO-
ry of young AIiuer's recent courtship
and marriage to Miss Grace Caldwell
of this city
Young Miller had just graduated
from the law department of the state
university, and had returned to the
parental roof to begin his race for glO-
~ and fame in the little town OF
Usage.
The summer days had come and gone
and he had swung his shingle to the
breeze when it was announced here
that a party Of Lawrence people mad
gone camping on the Miller farm, IN
Usage county. Miss Grace CaIdWeli.
beautiful and WinsOme maid, was one
of that fortunate party They went,
tarried awhile and finally returned to
i
ment of the betrothal of Miller and
Miss Caldwell soon followed, and the
approaching nuptials was the talk OF
society circles. 1t was to be church
affair, and was to eclipse any former
effort in the historic city.
The wedding day had been set for
October q at Z p. IN. The church was
elabOrately decorated and the wedding
feast prepared. Everything was Sc
rene and lovely in the Caldwell home.
Not so in the Eldridge hOstelry. Mrs.
z. 3. Purcell and daughter of Man
haitian, Kan, had received invitations
and had come on Monday, two days in
advance to see what it meant. They
could not understand why Miss Cald-
wells name should appear where Miss
Purcelis had promised to be. The
young benedict-tO-be was sent for, and
then occurred in the paTlOrS of that
inn a scene not soon forgotten by that
young man. The irate mother talked,
the fair daughter cried and the rec
reant lover tried to explain He tele-
graphed his father. who is wealthy.
His father came; so did the father of
the daughter with blasted hopes and
reCeding fortune A conference follow
ed. but no compromise could be eff
fected. The senior Miller FASTENED
home and transferred the dowry from
the son to the eXpectant bride. and
then returned, for the wedding day
was at hand. The church was filed
with the elite of both town and cOun-
try. The PurCells hastily conferred
WIN attorneys anu were dBouA 70 star
for the church TO object to the ceremo-
ny when word came that their invita-
tions had been recalled A deputy
sheriff was also stationed at the
church door to stop them if they came.
The Rev. Mr. Richard Cordley was
importuned to hurry the service and
fmplored to omit the words "if any
one knows aught why these two should
not wed"
The Right Honorable Judge John
Quincy Adams Norton was summoned
to be present. so that. in case the relig-
fous service should be interrupted,
civil knot could be quickly tied. The
wedding march was quickened and the
bridal party hastened up the aisle, the
words We're quickly spoken, and Mr.
and Mrs clyde Miller breathed a sigh
of relief. 1t was all over then, they
thought.
A brilliant reception followed at the
Caldwell mansion and the happy coup
le We're soon speeding away to their
future home in Usage City. Likewise
were Mr. and Mrs. z. p. Purcell and
their beautiful and accomplished, but
unmarried, daughter returning to their