The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1899-12-16
EVEN IF IT'S FRIDAY"
Minister and His Bride Not
SuperStitious.
STORY OF LONG DELAY
Rev. Smith of UdaIl Married
to Miss McMurray of Iowa.

Rev. w R. Smith. pastor Of the Con-
gregationaI church at Udall, and Miss
HuIda McMurray = of Wilton Junction,
Iowa, were married at the Methodist
parsonage yesterday, and thereby hangs
a story IN which is abundant proof that
love cannot be baf1ed in its plans, Rev.
Smith is a fine looking old gentleman of
60 and Miss McAIurray, though A years
old is as vivacious as she was at half
the age. It was impossible. or at least
not convenient, for Rev. Smith to go to
Iowa to marry Miss McAIurray, so they
agreed to meet in FL Dorado for the Ger
emory. The railroad time tables were
consulted and the hour set for the we'd
ding Rev. Smith went to Winfield to
take the Florence cutoff to FL Dorado
TO meet his bride. Old Probs. has to have
his way, weddings, train schedules and
what not to the contrary, so there came
a snow storm and Rev Smith missed his
train at Winfield. That was the begin
ming Of his trouble and trouble never
loses any time in getting in its work on
a man who has made up his mind to get
married There was a delay at Winfield,
so Rev. Smith telegraphed Miss McMur-
ray at FL Dorado that he would be there
a little late some time the next day.
When he got to FL Dorado he found a
telegram from Miss McMurray that on
r,r+ Ia 81 oh hoH 7Soi=
ed the train and that she would meet
him at Independence, Kansas. and come
to Wichita for the ceremony.
Then Rev. Smith went back to UdalI
and took the first train east on the
Southern Kansas expecting to meet his
bride there. She wasn't at Independence,
and Rev. Smith hurried to Wichita, first
sending Miss AfcMurray a telegram that
he would be here as quick as fate and
the trains would let him. He arrived in
Wichita about o'clock Thursday even
ing on a late Frisco and went to the
Manhattan hotel and registered. The
next task was to find his bride-to-be. He
met all the Santa Fe trains from the
north and south, and the Missouri Pa
cific from the west, and had only the
trip for his trouble. He then asked Ed
McCurley, the hack man, If all the trains
were in for the day.
THE Rock Island is late, but ought
to be here by this time" said McCurIey.
It was then considerably after o'clock.
Take me to the Rock Island" said
Rev. Smith, and when they got to the
depot the train was in and the passen-
gers had scattered aad gone.
She might have gone to the Carey"
suggested McCurley, sympathetically.
They went to the Carey, and sure
enough there was the signature of Miss
McMurray on the register, but she had
left a note and gone 10 the Manhattan
to see If Rev Smith was here yet To
the Manhattan they went, but Miss Nc
Murray had not reached there Rev.
Smith stepped to the door, and she was
coming. The way they met is none of the
public's business. But it was too late
then TO get married.
We'll were neither one superstitious."
said Rev. Smith to the Manhattan night
clerk. Merrill Gates. and Wen just get
married tomorrow, even if it is Friday"
And they did.
The trains are at liberty now 70 be
just as late as they please for the Con-
gregadonal minister and his wife are at
home in UdaH today and no town or
church in Kansas is blessed with more
conscientious and able pastor, and no
pastor anywhere has more kindly, in
telligent and faithful helpmeet than Rev.
Smith