The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1901-08-23
Miss ShaIIcrosS Was Welded
to Ward Secretly,
Neither Her Relatives Nor Friends Were
Told Of tho Csrsmony-Facts Are
Revealed at Last!

LOUISVILLE, Aug. PA romantic secret
marriage that had tragical sequel was
revealed today. when the bride had been
dead for l6 months, The bridegroom has
been long absent In California ostensi-
bly, seeking to regain his health. really
to hide from his family and friends the
grief he feels at the death Of his wife OF
less than two months.
Miss Georgia l.. Shallcross. daughter OF
Stephen Shalloross. OF No. s33 Third ave-
hue, Louisville and sister OF Mrs Percy
Moore, OF Anchorage. was the playmate
OF Herman l.. Ward. eldest son of John
III. Ward. OF No 100 West Broadway, and
brother OF ossian Ward, vice president
of the Won Behren- Russell company. when
both were children under ten years old.
The devotion of the girl and the boy
was a subject 81 friendly Jest between
the families, two OF Kentuckys most
prominent social clans Predictions wtre
made that when the children grew up
there could be wedding that would ce.
rnent the two distinguished families Miss
shallcross grew into stately. beautiful
young woman and took the place that
was hers by right OF beauty. wit and
birth She was belle long before the
eventful BAN at which she made her for
anal social debut.
VOWS OF CONsTANCY.
Young Ward went away 10 Cornell Uni
versity. where he gained distinction as
student and athelete Upon his gradu-
alton he took the law course at Cornell.
All the time thet he was separated from
the sweetheart OF his childhood the young
colegian and the brilliant girl corre-
sponded, and their letters breathed con-
stancy TO one another which explains
why the young beauty rejected the many
eligible suitors who were proud to form
her court
In January. 1900, Mrs Percy Moore Miss
Shalleross' sister. gave a great ball at the
Gait House and II was this there that the
girls conventional entrance into society
was made. Shortly afterward Mrs Moore
gave a cotillon at the Country club, An
Chorage, In her young sisters honor.
AT both OF these entertainments the
two most notable OF the season, Mr. Ward
was present, having come from Ithaca
purposey 10 act as escort for the sweet
were several charming girls introduced
10 society this same season. none enjoyed
such popularity with old as well as
young, as did Miss Shalleross. When
their friends saw that Mr.. Ward had come
so far To dance with the young woman
whom all admired they smiled and whis-
pered that an engagement must subsist
between the two The girl was now ~
years old, Mr.. Ward several years her
senior.
On Feb 10. 1900. not long after the ger
man at Anchorage. Miss Shallcross and !
Mr.. Ward went TO Jeffersonville together |
The girl had long cloak with a high |
fur collar. II was chilly and she rode |
with the collar turned up around her face. |
so that even her friends would have had |
difficulty I'm recognizing her.
They entered the brick building wherein |
Magistrate John II. Hause had his office |
at No. l26 Front street only stones !
throw from the river. The girl was at |
tired In black gown and seemed tremu-
lous and sad. She went quietly The |
young couple asked that the blindse b
drawn. and in the dim light the magis-
trate made her the wife o. Mr.. Ward
ASKED TO KEE THE SECRET
There is no real objection TO our mar
riage." said the youthful bride to the
magistrate, but a recent death I'm my /
family and Mr.. Wards intention to leave
Tor the West on business made IL necessary
for us TO keep our marriage secret for the
present
The magistrate promised and kept his
word. Mr.. Ward went to his home and
his wife 10 hers Miss Shallcross brother
John. had died six weeks before the mar
riage. and his death so affected his sis
ter that physician advised her mother
TO make tour OF the South with her
They visited relatives I'm several cities I
and arrived in Decatur, at Mrs Roanris
home, on April T. 1900, II was decided 10
start for Louisville, but Mrs. Shallcross'
daughter was seized with n chill and four
davs later she died from peritonitis.
She was commitment OF Calvary Els
copal church. I'm this city, and in the choir
OF which she sang. She was buried as
Miss Shallcross. and none save perhaps
her mother. knew that she was bride
Mr. Ward attended the funeral and peo-
RE wondered az hts intense grief They
marvelled. too. that he made so many
Visits 90 the cemetery 10 strew flowers
on the girls grave. lIc left for Highland
Park Cal. Just before Christmas last
wear. and is now living on ranch there
but florist under his direction. secs that
TIE flowers on his wifcs grave are al
ways fresh