Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1899-08-07

NOBLESVILLE, Ind, August o.
Some queer matrimonial records nave
just been brought to light in Indiana.
One of the most remarkable OF these
is the fourteenth marriage of Aunt
Polly Owens of White River town
ship, Hamilton county. She probably
holds the Mississippi valley multi
marriage belt. She is only 81 years OF
age and looks as though she might
outlive a dozen more husbands. Aunt
Polly was married the first time when
she was Is years of age, and was lett
a widow two years later. Since then
she has averaged a new husband every
two years. She has secured eight or
nine divorces. The rest of her nus
bands have died. She has only SIX
children as the result of her multi
marriage career, but these six have as
many different names. By marriage
she has relationship with one-half OF
the people in Hamilton county.
Anthony Beres, OF Crawford county,
was inferred with his eight wives June
80. Besides his matrimonial record he
was famous for his great size, being
the largest man in Southern Indiana
He was So years old, six feet four and
one-half inches tall, and weighed 1872
pounds He was native of Belgium,
and settled at Leopold, Ind, where he
lived, made his matrimonial mark, and
was buried. He was married eight
times, his last wife dying year ago.
His eight wives are laid side by side in
a cemetery on his farm, and his re-
mains were inferred beside them.
Benson Eggers, aged 20, is making a
good start to break the star record
made by Aunt Polly Owens. He
has Just been granted his fourth di-
vorce. He lives in Hendricks county
He started in on his matrimonial re-
cord when he was Is, marrying a
Coatsville girl who was only II years
Of age. The marriage was made with
the consent of their parents. Benson's
various wives accused him of cruelty,
and all left him on this ground.
THIRTY YEARS OF COURTSHIP.
The longtime counting record of the
State has just been brought to close
by a happy elimination after thirty
years constant courtship. The con-
tracing parties are Laura Anderson
and Watt r. Thomas, of Muncie.
Thomas was the girls devoted lover at
20, and has remained SO ever since.
Over a quarter of a century ago it was
predicted they would marry. With
great regularity each Sunday night
and two or three times during the
week he has taken his sweetheart to
church or to places of entertainment,
and has always been classed as q
STEADY"
Eph Wheeler, who fell down stairs
and received fatal injuries at his home
at Charlottesville recently, long held a
matrimonial record of State interest.
He had been married seven times. All
of his wives are dead. He was buried
beside them. He was CT years of age
and was very we'll known.
George Wray, of Columbus, aged 1902,
is establishing new Indiana divorce
record. He has just filed suit for a
decree, and is probably the oldest per-
son ever filing such an action in this
State. He was "a years of age when
he married the woman from whom he
now seeks legal separation. She is
now 35 and was only 26 when married.
He alleges neglect and cruel treatment.
He has an estate worth $4,000, which
will figure in the cast. She is his third
wife.
FAMILIES OF LARGE SIZE.
Edward Dorsey, residing at No. 1918
North West street, Indianapolis, has
not only one of the best matrimonial