Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1901-09-14
WE'D At sioux CITY
Son Of Congressman Thomas
Elopes With Storm Lake
Bankers Daughter.
They Go to Sioux City and Are
Married Without Parents
knowledge.
Both Are Young. but Desperately
In observation-disclosures
Iowa News.

Storm Lake, Sept. 14.-There was a
decided sensation when it became
noised about town that Frank Thomas,
son of Congressman Thomas, and Miss
Fleta Brown, daughter of one of the
weathiest citizens of the place, had
eloped and probably been married in
Sioux City. The two young people
have been much in each others society
of late.
The common place existence of a
country town was doubtless irksome
to both. for they had both been much
away from home. The young man,
who is "a or % years old, clever and
likeable, has been secretary to his fla
thuer and came home from Washington
early in the summer. Soon after Miss
Brown, who is 49, pretty and fine
musician, came home from Cincinnati
where she had been taking musical in
srruction. They young lady is of medi-
un height, with brown hair, hazel eyes,
an olive complexion and pretty figure.
She is stylish in dress. and would not
pass unnoticed in crowd.
The young people left town Thursday
afternoon at 1880 on the Illinois Central
train. They seem to have kept their
plan strictly to themselves. Both fam
lilies We're decidedly worried. tho neither
suspected what was going on till tele-
grams came late in the evening, one to
Mr.. Brown and the other TO Judge
Thomas, saying they had been married
at LeMars. and had gone on to Sioux
City. Friday morning good deal of
telephoning was done in the effort to
learn all about the matter. A message
from James F. Toy said it was impos-
ried, but they had secured a license
here, SO could not have been welded in
LeMars. This left the parents uncer-
tain whether the wedding had actually
been performed, altho the uncertainty
did not last long, later messages clear
ing up al doubt.
What do you know about the elope-
ment?" was asked of Judge Thomas.
did you have reason to imagine such a
thing was liable to happen?"
''All know about it" replied the con-
gresham. .'is that Frank was at home
at noon Thursday and didn't appear
again. He said nothing about where
he was going and l heard nothing of
him till we reeeievd telegram from
Sioux City saying he and Fleta had
been married. Beyond this don't know
anything.
The judge takes matters philosophi-
Ically. They are married now, and
that's about all there is of it." he said.
They are up against the real prob
lens of life-and it's all right"
II had no idea of the proposed mar
riage," said Mr.. Brown, when asked
In fact only received information
little while ago that license had been
issued to them at Sioux City. 1t was
stated. too, that they had not yet been
married so far az could be discovered
at that time. This information came
from Mr.. Toy. AS to the marriage.
why, they are both of age and entitled
to do as they choose. If they We're de-
ternined to marry there is no reason
why objection should be made to it,
There seems to have been no parental
objection on either side. and the couple
could have been married in the usual
and less sensational way had they
chosen.
Sioux City. Sept. IA little after 8
o'clock yesterday morning slight
young man, with dark hair and eyes.
walked into the county clerks office
with Z. D. wigton, of this city.
Outside, on the asphalt of Pierce
street, stood a closed cab, and the dark
hair of young lady could be seen thru
the window.
The young man was the son of Hon.
Lot Thomas, of Storm Lake. congress-
man from the Eleventh district, and pri-
vate secretary to his father. The pretty
girl in the carriage was Miss Fleta
Brown, daughter of w. F.. Brown. presi-
dent of the First National Bank of
Storm Lake.
They had eloped in the morning and
wanted to be married at once.
This young man would like a mar
rage license" began Mr.. Wigton.
Deputy Johnson stepped to the shelf
and took down the big red book in which
the marriage record is kept, picked up a
zen, dipped it in ink.
Whats your name?" he asked, bend
ing over the book.
"Thomas-Frank w. Thomas" an
swered the young man.
Residence"
Storm Lake"
"Age?"
twenty-five"
What is the young lady's name?'
asked the clerk, dipping his pen in the
ink again.
"Brown-Fleta Brown" replied the
young man, leaning over the desk.
storm Lake is the residence. Age 49,
Mr.. Wigton stepped behind the desk
and signed the license as witness, the
clerk folded up the paper, the young
man paid his money, pocketed the docu-
ment and went out. He entered the cab
and drove down the street, and Mr..
Wigton went away by himself.
The young man was the son of Con-
gresham Lot Thomas, of Storm Lake,
and the young woman in the carriage
was the daughter of President w. e.
Brown, of the First National Bank at
Storm Lake.
This was the beginning Of the last
chapter in an elopement story. The
first chapter was enacted at Storm Lake
when the couple left together for Sioux
City without advance announcement OF
their trip.