The Florence tribune., 1901-08-31
ROMANTIC MARRIAGE. Bill Beard, One of the Unique Characte rs of Arizona, Married at Salem, Ill., Was Member of the Leus-
 lature and is Wealthy.
From the Los Angeles Times.l

From the Los Angeles Times.l
 FLORENCE, Aug. 22.-"Bill' Beard is one of the most notable of the many unique characters of Arizona. For thirty years he has been prospector through the hills of the Territory. Hard luck dogged his footsteps till only three years ago. Then it was that comparative wealth came to him through the sale of the Black Warrior copper claims uear Globe. Part of the money received he reinvested in mine on Mineral Creek, east of Florence, later to sell again and further add to his bank account. Last fall he sought political honors and was elected to the lower House of the Legislature from Pinal county. His principal dis tinction in office came through his vio- lent opposition to the Governor, an op- position that precipitated some of the most disgraceful of scenes, with Beard ss the central figure. Though elected us a representative of the working miner, he chose to vote against an eight-hour bill. For this, month later, while on visit to his old home in Globe, he was seized by members of the Globe Miners Union and ridden to the railway depot on a rail. Re- leased, he soon rustled revolver and, with typical western pluck, marched back through the camp's main street, daring his former tormentors to re- appear on the scene. Bill left the camp when he was ready and not till then. An interesting addition to the story of Boards life is found in the following telegram from Salem, H., under date of August l6:
 Some thirty-eight years ago young William H. Beard, who resided just east of this city, and who had but re- gently been mustered oat of the United States volunteer service, left his home to seek his fortune in the far West. He was poor boy, without means. He drifted to Arizona, where he engaged his services to a wealthy ranch owner. By dint of hard labor and economy he, in a few years, had accumulated saf- ficient funds to engage in business for himself He invested the proceeds of his years of labor in cattle and started a ranch of his own. His business thrived, and he soon became one of the wealthiest citizens uf the Terri tory. He entered politics. and he at present is member of the Legislature from Pinal county. A longing to visit the home of his boyhood possessed him, and he arrived here last Saturday. MT. Beard had never been married. al- though he had attained the age of 55 years. Upon his arrival in this city, and while in conversation with some old-time friends he said he had come east to hunt himself wife.
 On Sunday he was being entertained at the home of Noah Brubaker, and while there met Miss Ella Hite oi New Baden, Ill.,, a niece of Mir. Bru- baker, and guest of the family. Mir Beard informed Miss Hite of his mis sion to Illinois, and stated to her that she was the ideal of what he was seek ing, and offered her the situation o. mistress of his extensive ranch in tn, West. She accepted the proffered hon or, and the couple were united in mar riage here last night at the home O Capt. l. D. Lear, the ceremony being performed by Rev. c. w. Yates of th' Cumberland Presbyterian Church The bride and groom departed thi morning for Buffalo, N. Y, to view shl Pan-American Exposition, and iron there they will visit other easterl points. Their future home will be a Florence, Ariz.