New-York tribune., 1900-05-17
STOPPED AT THE ALTAR.
DIR. MORGAN REFUSES TO MARRY MRS.
HUNEKER AND w. B. BRACKEN.
LEARNS AT THE LAST MOMENT THAT THE
BRIDE IS A DIVORCEE-THE CEREMONY
TAKES PLACE AT DLMoNICo's.


The Rev DR.. D. Parker Morgan rector of the
Church of the Heavenly Rest, in Flfth-ave.. was
arranging his vestments preparatory to marrying
Mrs. Clio Hinton Huneker. the sculptor, to Will
lam Berre Bracken, In tie church. at few min
utes before u o'clock yesterday, when friend of
the suddenly appeared in the and told
him that he had been grossly deceived by the
bridegroom, and that Mrs. Huneker, instead of be-
ing widow. a divorced woman her former
husband being alive
Then followed dramatic interview between the
rector and the waiting couple, the dismissal from
the church of guests and relatives followed
by rush for ministers the tying of the nuptial
knot by the Rev. Anthony II. Evans. Presbyterian,
at Demonico's. where the wedding breakfast was
getting cold: hastily eaten wedding breakfast,
and then final from the Hotel Manhattan by
carriage catch a Pennsylvania ferryboat leaving
Twenty third-st. at As.
This made up the programme of the second we'd
ding day of the whose abilities sculp-
tor have her fame--a day never to be forgotten
by those who witnessed it's quickly passing dra-
matte incidents Mr. and Mrs. Bracken will spend
part of this week in Hot Springs, Va. and their
friends do hesitate to predict that nothing at
that resort Will be found at quite such high tenn
perature the doings of yesterday at the
Church of the Heavenly Rest.
SAYS HE WAS DECEIVED
The Rev. Dr. Morgan asserts with great positive
ness that he was grossly and wilfully deceived by
Mr.. Bracken. and he followed up his assertion with
the following statement to Tribune reporter at
the parish house of his church. where he last night
attended festival:
II refused to marry Mrs. Huneker and Mr..
Bracken because learned almost the last min
ute that 1 had been deceived by Mr.. Bracken and
that Mrs. Huneker divorced woman. and
not widow Mr.. Bracken represented. 1t was
the most painful experience that have under
gone since I have been In this country. am Ia
expressbly shocked at Mr.. Bracken's conduct in
this matter and do not understand how he could
do had Mr. T2rac to al tuy0
weeks ago and made arrangements for the we'd
ding ceremony in my church at noon to-day. He
told me that Mrs. Huneker widow. I did
not then know anything to the contrary. as be-
leved his statement l still of this belief, and
not anticipating any trouble when heard some
hints the effect that Mrs. Huneker not
widow. 1 had left the city and gone to my farm
out of town after Mr.. Rracken made the arrange
ments and returned to the city last night, having
down specially to perform the ceremony.
SENDS A NOTE TO MR.. BRACKEN.
On my arrival in town was considerably
prised to be informed that Mrs. Huneker had been
divorced only a short time, and that the man from
whom she had secured release still living.
l then wrote Mr. Bracken the following note:
Dear Mr. Bracken:
and hasten, because Of what have Just heard ito to
saying she was a widow: did not, dream Of putting
divorced cannot perform the ceremony; neither
an aoM or IN 20 Of Ge my y do pe ha
have ave- been be wrongfuiiy informed Yours truly.
This note was delivered at aI:i5 O'Clock to Mr..
Bracken. who sent the following reply:
Dear Dr. Morgan:
Pardon haste The lady is as stated In the GER
WILLIAM b. BRACKEN.
This reassured me. and 1 thought that some
mistake had been made 1 in the vestry put
ting my vestments when personal friend of
la
Mr. Huneker within the last few days. and that for
dead he exceedingly lively. Then I
called the bridegroom in the vestry. He
and accompanied by his best
THE BRIDEGROOMS ASSERTION.
I told him of what had discovered, and he had
the audacity then and there to declare his
cred honor and in the presence of the living God
that the facts he had stated them to me,
and that Mrs. Huneker a widow. knew this to
be false. and told the Bridegroom that would not
marry them. While were talking Mrs. Hun
neker came in, and then both Of them asked:
What difference does 1t make"
Mr.. Bracken lost his temper when told him
that I would not go with the ceremony, but
Mrs. Huneker took the matter philosophcally and
requested that the announcement be made in the
church to the assembled guests that a change in
the plans had been made and that the ceremony
would take place Delmonico's The parties went
away, and understood afterward that they went
to Delmonico's."
i
ST should have gone against the expressed wishes
Of my Bishop. If Mr.. Bracken had come to and
said frankly that Mrs. Huneker was divorced
woman. but that she the innocent party, it
would have been different matter. Then l should
have recommended him some one whose views
divorce less rigid than are mine. 1 am free
to say that might have married this couple yes
terday. Mrs. Huneker being the innocent party but
several months ago I established a rule that 1
would marry divorced people.
n
mysterious way totally failed to realize what
he saying to me when he made his represen-
tations 1t was awful thing for him to do"
THE GUESTS DISMISSED
After the conversation in the vestry DR. Nor
gan. wearing his black cassock. entered the chan
eel and. facing the persons seated in the pews.
said: Il requested by Mr.. Bracken to an
nounce that the wedding will take place at Del
monico's. and that you to go there without
further invita- ton For canoncal reasons the mar
riage ceremony cannot be performed In this
church."
While this announcement being made. Mr.
Bracken. the bride and the other members of the
bridal party entered carriages and driven
around the corner to Delmonico's. where the we'd
ding breakfast to be served Before long they
were Joined by the invited guests. the latter being
shown into one Of the large private rooms on the
Messengers were sent for ciergymen. and after
a walt OF nearly three-quarters OF an hour the
Pfesbgterian chSrch arrived ana auiety
being admited tt to the 0' 'noSe invited
The bride was attired in gown of canary col
maid Of honor. Miss Leslie PEABODY Wore gown
OF white silk and lace and a large white hat Mr.
the the ReV Madison
toe late however to sss assist Mr.. Roland p.v
Mrs Mrs. an Hsn4H n,ne Fl ins bde M na
Mrs s.' Pea body. J. St George Dillon Mrs FuIsom