The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1902-10-01
QUEER MARRIAGE IN COLUMBIA.
The Alleged Groom Denies That
He is Married---ls the Cere-
mony Binding?
The State, Sept. 25.

The State, Sept. 25.
For the past fortnight there has
been considerable talk about the alleg-
ed marriage of Mr.. Fr. Schmidt, the
proprietor of the Columbia Steam
Laundry, and Miss Nora Martin, bat
The State has refrained from mention
ing the matter understanding that it
would be a question for the courts to
determine whether the couple have
entered into binding contract. The
case is most peculiar and unsual one,
and for this reason has excited much
comment.
The matter came to the public prints
by means Of the following which ap-
peared in the classified advertisement
column of The State on Tuesday
morning
MARRIED.
Observation-Disclosures 13, by
Rev, W. W. Daniel, at the residence
of the brides father. Miss Nora Mar
tin TO MIR. Frederick Schmidt.
Yesterday morning, also In the ad
vertising columns of The State, ap-
peared the following, which causea
many to wonder:
TO THE PUBLIC.
The notice in this mornings tStase
announcing the marriage of Miss Nora
Martin to Fred Schmidt was inserted
without my knowledge or consent.
Notice is hereby given that I deny the
marriage and refuse to recognize Miss
Martin as my wife or to be in any
manner liable for her debts or con
tracts. Fr. Schmidt
These notices being so completely at
variance the public interest became
intensified, and inquiries were made
as to the issue involved. It developed
quite early in, the Investigation that
legal proceedings were in the air.
It is needless to give the various
stories that are in circulation. Mr..
Schmidt has employed Allen J. Green
ESQ.,, 1t is said, to represent him IN
any Developments in the matter. Last
night when Mr.. Green. was seen he
declined to have anything whatever to
say for publication. It was stated,
however, that Mr. Schmidt claims
that when the ceremony was perform
ed, between 1 and 3 O'Clock in the
day, that he. was not in mental condi-
ton to enter into such solemn and
binding contract,
The lady In the case is. highly es-
teemed by all who know her, and the
matter IS much regretted by her.
friends.
Mr.. Schmidt has lived here for years
and was an alderman of the city. He
is we'll known all over Columbia
On account of the interest manifest
ed by the public in this strange case,
Mr.. ". Boyd Evans was asked for a
statement of the alleged brides side
Of the case. At the door of the othce
the representative of The State met
Mr.. Schmidt accompanied by Mr.
Jesse Martin, who. is alleged to be Mr.
Schmidt's father-in-law. They are
quite good friends and want the public
to let the case alone.
Mr.. Evans stated that Mr.. Schmidt
had been paying attentions to the
Young woman for some time. Recent
| ly she received a hurt and was under
medical treatment. When her physi-
clan. DR.. Kendall, called on the Sat
urday of the alleged marriage, he.
found Mr.. Schmidt there. The sub
iect of marriage was brought up and
DR.. Kendall was delegated to go and
get the Rev. DR.. Daniel to perform
the ceremony. When DIR. Daniel came
| in be inquired particularly if the cere-
| mony should be proceeded with an3
! was given an affirmative answer. The
minister observed that Mr.. Schzaldt
was in happy frame of mind but did
Vt appear to be in state of mental
incapacity on account of drugs or such
| influences.
The witnesses were DR.. Kendall and
Mr.. Higgins, who boards in the
house and is rural free mail celieyry
agent. Mrs. Martin and her other
daughter would not witness the cere-
mony ard Mr.. Martin was in the couns-.
try. Mr.. Schmidt remained around
the house until late in the afternoon
saving that be would be back when be.
had paid off his wrkmen at the laun-
| drv. He did not come back Saturday
night and Mrs. Schmidt began to
make inquiry. It was then that she.
was Informed that Mr.. Schmidt's
family declared the marriage a nullltS
on the ground that Mr. Schmiudt was
irresponsible at the time: Mr.. Evans
says that member of Mr.. Schmldt's
! family called at the Martin place, l4l4
Pickens street, and congratulated the
newly welded pair Saturday afternoon,