The San Francisco call., 1897-06-11
MARRIED WHILE
A STORM RACES
SauSaiitO Justice WedS
a Couple on the
Ocean.
Albert Holiday and Flora
LaWritz United on the
Hustler.
To Evade the Laws OF the State
Bride and Groom Pass Through
Great Danger.

SAUSALITO, CAL, June 1O.-In the
face of a bowling storm, with the wind
blowing in vicious and binding gusts and
the heavy swell from the ocean tossing
the little launch Hustler about Ike an
eggshell. couple were married by the
venerable Justice ]. S. Bellrude OF Sausa-
Tito far outside the heads.
The little handful of people who clus-
tered in the cabin of the launch insisted
of the contracting parties, Albert Holiday
and Mrs. Flora Lawritz, the brother of
the groom and sister of the bride. JUS
tice ]. S. Bellrude. Thomas J. Milton Jr.
and George Hughes of Sausalito. and they
passed through an exciting experience
that will long live in their memories, be-
ing slightly moro romantic than they had
hoped.
When the party got outside the heads
and were exposed 10 the fury OF the wind
the little launch was tossed about to the
great discomfort of the passengers and the
anguish of Justice Bellrude, who grew
white and red by turns and leaned over
the side of the boat furnishing sport for
the fishes. But the story is full of romance
ana excitement ana is best told by start
ing at the beginning.
1t seems that the fire of love burned in
the breast OF Flora Lawri,z toward Al
bert Holiday. but the last Legislature
made laws provoking!y wrong for divorced
couples, and so she could not secure a IL
cense to marry the man of her choice.
1t was only two days ago that the courts
granted her a decree of divorce from her
former husband, who is behind the bars
of the big penitentiary at San Quentin
serving a term for some wrong against
pie matter and was over in short time,
but the new law requiring divorce to
wait year before remarrying was more
difficult TO surmount. so the idea of hav-
ing wedding on the briny deep was sug-
gested and acted upon.
Last night the couple attempted to get
Justice Joseph II. Pryor of SausAlito to go
with them outside the jurisd diction of the
United States and tie the knot that would
make them one. The Judge declined.
He had been on the ocean before, ana
voyage in launch, to be tossed on the
waves of the deep. had no attractions for
him; and then again, Mr.. Pryor is mod
est man and he might be asked to kiss the
bride-a custom some Judges observe and
greatly enjoy, but Mr. Pryor is married,
and so told the couple 10 see Justice Bell
rude, and maybe he could suit them.
This they did, and at $3.50 this morning
the launch Hustler left her moOrings and
made for the Golden Gate. A stiff breeze
was blowing which steadily increased
and signs of distress made themselves evil
dent. The bride to be clung to her future
husband, and the cartain, George Hughes,
looked as ii doubtful of the result of the
trip. Thomas Milton, one OF the party,
weighing about 240 pounds, was thrown
by the force of wave, striking the boat
clear across the launch, and only stopped
when he came in contact with the ma
chIuery. Not word was spoken. TIE
gale blew with noise like thunder = bout
the ears of the little group.
At times II seemed as f.he waves would
sweep all before them and swamp the
launch with its love-sick and curious
party. Justice BeIrude was a sight 10
behold. With one hand he attem pied to
cling to the railing of the boat and with
the other he made efforts to hold his head
gear in place. Tired and sick Of his Job
he wished TO go back. His voice could
not be heard above the roar, and only his
wild and frantic gestures npprised the
captain of what he was attemp pting TO
com municate.
Onward the launch sped over the water
and when outside the three mile limit the
ceremony vas performed. 1t was a scene
that almost beggars description. Unable
TO stand up in the boat on account OF the
wind and tossing, and with faces white
from that funny feeling experienced in
rough weather on board boats, the couple
elung to their seats.
Justice Bellrude, ready at any moment
TO give way TO the feeling of nausea that
showed itself in his face and actions, at
tempted TO speak the words that would
make them man apd wife, but the wind
virtually took them out of his mouth and
he stood sputtering and attempting to
gain his breath. Finally he got the
words out and the ceremony was over.
He waved wildly for the captain to steer
for home, and the httle launch fairly few
toward Sausalito, while the Justice bent
over the stern and admired the blue
water and the fishes. It is safe to say il
is his last marriage ceremony on the high
seas.
Danger, sickness and excitement are
n OF for him, and when seen this after
noon he said he was glad he was living.
When the party reached Sausalito a we'd
ding breakfast was eaten, and Mr.. and
Mrs. Albert Holiday, happy bride and
groom, entertained the little party that had
braved the dangers OF the sea to witness
the marriage