Kansas City journal. [volume] (Kansas City, Mo.) 1897-1928, 1898-02-27
GRBTNA GREEN OF AMERICA
DESERVED TITLE BESTOWED UPON
ABERDEEN, D.
A Town That Was Made Famous by
Many MISUNDERSTANDING
Sketches of Squires Shell
ton and Beasley.

Not long since there was a stir through
out the United States, caused by a dis
cussion between two of the legal lights
of Ohio, regarding the validity of mar
riages contracted at Aberdeen during the
almost despctic reign of the kings of
Matrimony." Squires Shelton and Beasley.
who married people from all parts of the
Union without the usually required mar
r1ase license or vested authority.
According to a correspondent of the Gin
cinnati Times-Star this reign extended over
fifty years. Squire Shelton being succeeded
OF the two matrimonial agents are in the
custody of Jesse Wood. OF Aberdeen. and
date back as far as 1s22. In looking over
the old records can be found among the
5000 names people who are not unknown
to fame. Among the well-knOwn names
Is found that of Colonel Thomas II. Mel
ried to Elizabeth Key. Nelson was a min
lister plenipOtentiary TO Chile under Pres
ident Lincoln and later, when Hayes was
president. he was sent to Mexico. in the
same capacity. His bride was descendant
of Francis S. Key. Besides the names OF
those high in political life are found others
the wonder is if the names recorded by
Shelton had not suggested TO James Lane
Allen the name of his hero in "A Tale of
Already for he spent many hours looking
over these old records. and in September.
ISIS. Hillary Joy and Evaline Norman had
been married by the old squire. In pur-
SuiiS ne search suggested DS tfllS tncuSnt
the. name of Daphne was not discov-
cred.
Squire SheltOn's Ritual.
The ritual of Squire Shelton was the sim.
pie speaking of a form thus: Marriage is
a solemn ordinance instituted by an all
wise Jehovah. Cline your right hands.) Do
you tax this woman to nourish and cher
ish her, to keep her in sickness and health?
l hope you will live long and do well to-
gether."
This service. read in the loud. distinct
tones of Shelton, married the mar to the
woman. or at least put obligations upon
the man. but left the woman, in the opin-
ion of many. practically free. The service
ended by pocketfng a fee. For years Squire
Shelton gave no certificate. The fees We're
out of the ordinary in many instances. the
old squire accepting corn, potatoes, meats
or clothing for his services.
Many quaint stories are told of the mar
riage ceremonies at which the squire Off
ciated. One midnight a couple appeared
at the old squire's door and the old gen.
tleman, who had retired, stuck his night
capped head out of al upstairs window
marriage service. joining he couple below.
The parents of the girl were in close pur-
suit. The groom was Il years Of age.
while the bride was but II.
But even Squire Shelton surrendered to
death and was succeeded by Squire Beas-
ley. se~lf-appointed. and whose authority
to SolemniZe matrimony was self-vested.
10th to tell the inquiring visitor many in
teresting tales of the runaway couples who
used to be seen every day vending their
way down the shady streets. followed by
mischievous urchins. who cried in their
loudest voice. wedding! Wedding!" and