The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-12-05

HOosier Gretna Green Squire Who
Hos Married 1000 Counties.


LOUISVILLE, Dec. 4.-The Courier-Jour
nal says: Unless a change takes place in
the condition of Ephraim Keigwin, the ''lit-
tie squire of Jeffersonvile, who has Joined
the destinies of 5000 couples, most of them
clippers from kentucky, death will end the
sixty-seven years of his life, most>of which
have been spent in the Hoosier Gretna
Green, where he has always been a char
acter, with an acquaintance extending into
nearly every State in the Union He is
suffering from cystitis, and last night his
physician, DR.. c. +. G. Hancock, said that
an operation would be necessary, and that
fatal termination was a probability.
Squire Keigwin has been sick for about a
week, but not until yesterday did serious
symptoms manifest themselves He suffers
severely, but is conscious and hopeful
In 1877 he was elected magistrate, and he
has continuously served in that capacity.
having performed marriage ceremonies for
judges of the Supreme Court, superintend-
ents of public instruction, judges, sheriffs,
clerks, treasurers, auditors, merchants, me-
chanics and even preachers. He has been paid
fees ranging from five cents to 800 Several
ceremonies were always at his tongues end.
the occasion regulating the form that
welded the couples for better or worse. The
squire has prided himself that he was
matrimonial mascot.
The little SQUIRE was in the days of 40
O California gold-seeker. He tramped the
plains and next followed the federal troops,
taking photographs of the soldiers. After
ward he kept drug store at the corner OF
Market and Spring streets, in JeffersonVille,
and once upon time operated a farm. Not
long ago he related to a reporter mis- expert
ence d gold hunter. He had been attend
ing the university at Bloomington, Ind. and
hastily concluded to join party bound for
the plains. He at length reached Shasta
tu nd m there a
cabin of saplings and canvas Pay DIRT
was found. For while he made SlI a day,
pull up stakes. Not far away was camp
of Digger Indians He met maiden, won
her heart, gave, the chief of the tribe
bright red blanket, and thus became the
liege lord of the damsel. The blessing OF
the chief made the young gold hunter ana
the dusky beauty husband and ana Id VIE 70
return to civilization, and one morning ne
presented the girl with pair or olanKets'
several trinkets that looked valuable TO her,
and was off for San Francisco. In that city
he laid brick for $l4 a day, added 10 ms
store of gold, became homesick and after
two years returned to his old home and
opened a picture gallery. and when the war
broke out he shouldered his camara.
He always delighted in telling, the story OF OF
how he happened to quit farm me-. A. piack
cat crossed his path and bad luck seemed
to follow from that time. One day he SOLO
some land for $1500. He placed the money
in his vest and hung the garment on the
fence, 1t was in harvest time, and a fire
started on a field. 1t quickly spread, ana
femce vest and money went up in smoke.
other other misfortunes followed rapidly, but i'll
fate never soured the jovial little man, and
adversely found him as cheerful as pros
neritv left him. He married sisters, and his
second wife, who was Josephine Morgan,
still survives with one son, James helgWln,
who is a clerk in the office OF the Louisville
&, Nashville Railroad Company.
Squire Keigwin was born Dec. IA, l&5l, IN
Jeffersonville. His father was William helS-
win who was prominent man. ana VINO
died April 30. 1861. Colonel James keigWin,
of this city, is a brother of Squire helgWln.
Mrs Rebecca Merriweather, OF JEFFERSON
Vile is a sister.