The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1900-11-23
James Sweeney and Athelia Smith
Had an Exciting Chase for
License and Justice.
BRIDE-ELECT WAS UNEASY.
Did Not Want to Wed on Friday
Cahbv Came to Rescue and
Ceremony Was Performed
Before Midnight.

In order to prevent any obstacles to the1r
marriage. James NJ. Sweeney Of Jefferson
City. Mo. and Miss Althel!a Smith OF Bowl
ing Green. No. told Miss Smiths parents
yesterday morning that they were going 10
Instead they came TO ST. Louis. and, after
an exciting search for the marriage license
clerk and Justice of the Peace. they were
married at three minutes TO L. o'clock in
their carriage in front OF the cafe at No.
I North Broadway. where they afterwards
had lunch
Sweeney and Miss Smith had been sweet
hearts for about two months. and when
they finally decided to be married they an
ticirated objections So they took matters
INTO their own hands. Sweeney told his
business partner. Lee Ledgerwood. OF his
plans. and Miss Smith told her sister Miss
Pearl Smith. Together they took the thea
ter trip 10 Louisiana" yesterday.
The quartet arrived in St. Louis about 9
O'clock last night. and. after rest at the
81. James Hotel. they went across the
street to the Courthouse and searched
around the building for the Recorder of
Dceds's office. Charles BGehm, the cahby,
saw them stumbling about dark halls and
volunteered 10 assist them in their search.
ana he promised to drive them around the
city until they found the Recorder or his
clerk. even If it took until the break of
dawn.
They first went out to Recorder of Deeds
William Hahn's home. No. 1928 St Louis
avenue. But here another obstacle con-
fronted them. Hahn had no blanks. and
even Il feverish search in which all the
members OF his household. the cabby and
ftv
to turn up any of the longed-for documents.
After much excitement the Recorder re-
membered that his brother. Henry Hahn,
who lives at Pestalozzi and Salena streets.
usually. has block OF the blanks at his
home. and thither the party drove. They
routed Mr.. Hahn out of his slumber and
made him hustle out his blanks
Meanwhile Cabby Boeiim was at tele-
phone, clamoring for r Justice of the Peace
After much trouble he finally located Jus
tice of the Peace Robert Walker and to
him the party went
The ladies of the party sighed their re-
lief. for. as the bride afterwards naively
explained, IT was such bad luck to be mar
ried on Friday.
The Justice supposed that they would
want wal, to be married up In the CAFE above
the bride declined. She insisted that the
ceremony should he performed soon aud in
the carriage. as n clock near by told ier
that 1t was ten minutes of midnight
With the small group of curious specta-
tors from the saloon as witnesses Judge
Walker tied the knot, and. after the cere-
mony was over. the new Mrs. Sweeney
tnrew her arms about the Justice and gave
him kiss. Then the party had luncheon
in the cafe.
Mrs. Sweeney and her husband were quite
ready 20 tell about their unusual wedding
Mrs Sweeney said: I'VE thought that some
body would have objected so we did not
give them the chance. l am glad we had
1t this way. 1t was SO deliciously exciting
don't you know. We are going back to
Rowling Green tomorrow. My husband is
in business there with Mr.. Ledgerwood. and
We will live there
Mrs Sweeney'g father. Oliver P. Smith,
Is a traveller for the Davis Sewing Ma,
chine Company: Mr.. Sweeney's father is
a contractor at Jefferson City. The bridal
party registered at the st. james Hotel aft
er they left the cafe