The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1900-09-30
CRANK P.EOPL
WHO GET MARRIED
Clerk of the Hastings Court Has
Curious Experiences.
~
HOW THEY GET LICENSES
Many Have "No idea of the Require
mcnts OF the Law When They
Apply for This Neces-
sary Document.
HOW THEY GET LICENSES.

Every few persons know anything of
the requirements Of the law IN regard
to the matter of the issuance Of marriage
licenses said Clerk Walter Christian,
OF the Hastings Court of this city, yes
terday Eve have no end Of trouble
sometimes getting the questions pro-
pounded in the law properly answered by
applicants for licenses. Especially is
this the case with reference to ignorant
negroes and some foreigners, who are
not familiar with our customs.
Some queer people apply at the Hust-
ings Court to get license to marry, and
the Clerk has to adapt himself to ali
sorts of uses in handling this brancl. OF
his duties. Frequently foreigners, who
cannot make themselves understood
are applicants, and in these Instances
the clerk has TO send out for an interpre-
ter.
THE BEST RECORD.
The best time Clerk Christian has
made in the matter OF preparing mar
rase license was n 1896. when he dashed
of one for a couple that only had 30
minutes to catch a train. The genial
scribe of the court fixed EN- up in
just. nine minutes, the ceremony was
hurriedly performed, and the happy
pair We're soon speeding on their we'd
ding journey.
Under the laws of Virginia but 81 can
be charged for a marriage certificate.
and While the actual labor involved IS
frequently worth more than that sum,
the court clerks In many cases give
the license as q present, especially if
the bride or groom happens to be a
friend or relative OF that official. 1t is
said of the late ". P. Lawton, who knew
everybody in Richmond. and was beloved
by all who knew him, that while he was
Clerk Of the Hastings Court he actually
wrote with his own fingers over 1000
marriage licenses, for which he did not
receive one :ent-all OF them went to
friends he thought he was helping to
make happy.
AGE OF THE WOMAN.
a great deal OF trouble Is experienced
in getting not only the age OF the woman
but the occupatio of the man in cases
OF application FOR license. Not many
years ago wealthy northerner. who
married a beautiful belle OF Richmond.
applied to Clerk Christian for the neces-
Nary document to have the marital
rights performed. He answers all
questions until the one IS to his oocupa-
ton was reached.
"Ccrupa ton. Occupation, did you say?"
asked the sroom-elect, looking astound-
ed. "Why, I have no occupation l am a
gentleman, SIT. ana the applicant was
SO entered on record III the offtcs OF tho
Clerk of the court.
THOSE WITHOUT JOBS.
But there Is class that amuses the
attaches OF the court. This Is the class
OF applications who have no occupation,
for reasons other than the northerner.
What is your occupation?" the clerk
asks.
Lets see: well. you may put me down
as q clerk or collector, or workingman.'
Is frequently the reply.
But you have to make oath to this
statement" the officer of the court ex-
plains.
'"Then put me down as q professional
man, or laborcr,'' az the case might ap-
ply to the Individual. One young fell
low had placed opposite his name on
the big book the three sad words: "Out
of work. and they Were literally true.