The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1897-07-20
MARRIAGE MYSTERY
No One Knows Who Adyer-
tised the English-Sha
non Wedding,
ALL INTERESTED REFUSE TO TALK
The Reported Bride Has Sons as
Old as the Groom, Who is
John N. Jones' Nephew.

ENGLIS1-SHANNON February S,
1885, by the Rev. DR.. Houghton, Mrs.
Anna H. Shannon to Richard W. A.
English, both of this city.
This brief announcement, which appear
ed in the advertising columns Of a local
paper last night came as surprise to all
who are acquainted with the parties, and
If their stories are to be believed, 1t was
a complete surprise to them as well. An
air of deep mystery surrounds the whole
affair. From what can be learned the
wedding notice was unauthorized and has
utterly disconnected Mr.. and Mrs. Eng
lish, who desired to keep their marriage
secret. English went SO far with .
News" reporter as TO even suggest that
he may not be married at all. What the
object is in keeping the matter in any
way in the dark does not appear as yet.
Both of the parties are well known.
Mrs. Anna Shannon is the widow OF
John H. Shannon. a contractor, who died
three years ago, leaving his wife, three
grown sons and comfortable fortune,
which ne had accumulated by years Of
hard labor Shannon was one of the best
known contractors on streets in the Unit
ed States. 1t was he who IN 1873 secured
the contract for paving the stock yards
and a large portion Of the streets of Phil
adelphia 1t took him three years to exc
cute the contract, which was probably the
largest of of its kind ever given out at
one time. He also did considerable work
on the streets of New York City. What
the exact value of his estate was at his
death is not known, but it is reputed to.
have been a large amount. The three
Shannon boys have all reached the age of
t. 1I<5
ty-one years, and is a member of the
Fourth Regiment. He is with his COM
pany at Sea Girt at present The other
sons are Richard and Hall. One of them
is learning the practical end of his
fathers business under Henry Byrnes.
The other is still at his studies. Mrs.
Shannon, or English, is said to have pass
ed middle life
Richard W. A. English is a nephew OF
ex-Finance Commissioner John NJ. JONES'
He was formerly the partner of Henry
Traphagen in the contracting business.
but a year and half ago, on return
ing from a trip West, he took up the
study of horse surgery and graduated
as veterinary. He is now associated
with DR.. Arrowsnith in the conduct of
the horse hospital at Communipaw ave-
shaven and youthful in appearance and
is but a few years the senior of his wffe's
oldest son. English lived, and perhaps
lives at present, with his uncle in the lat
ter's handsome residence at Jones street
and Sip avenue Mrs. Shannon lived at
Ne. II Sip avenue The two houses ad-
join and the front stoops come together
1t is said that not one of their friends
suspected a secret wedding until they
read it in the paper last night.
To a reporter for 1.-The News" Con-
tractor James P. Hall. of No. 29l varick
street. brother of Mrs. Shannon, or
English, said last evening"
1T was a complete surprise to me and
to everybody else. The first I knew OF
it was when read 1t in the paper to-
night
the sons. He said that his mother was
out of town and would be gone for several
days. He would take any message for
when told that his visitor was news
paper man he said:-"We have nothing
to say for publication.
the marriage before the notice appeared
in the paper?
and his eyes biinked suspiciously as II
they were filed with tears. He hesitated
a moment and then answered in a low
yoice:-sI suppose So"
Does DR.. English live here?''
NO" came the answer in firm ana
rather aggressive tone.
'sWho published the marriage notiee?"
''I don't know
.Dr. English says he didn't volun-
teered the reporter.
"Wea, / am sure it was not we that did
it.
Might not your mother have done it7''
Gould it have been the work of her
lawyer"
Possibly; I can't say
DR.. English was seen at the hospital.
but like everyone else connected with the
case he declined to be interviewed.
When told the facts already IN the
cannot prevent you from publishing what
ever you see fit. but YOU will get no in
formation from me- How do you know
that / am married, anyway? I didn't in
sert that notice in the paper, neither did
I authorize its publication"