The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1902-08-31
WEIyl|NGS WITH A
T|NGE OF MYSTERY
a Couple Who Did Not Want the
Papers to Know It.
UNDER THE ACE OF CONSENT
license Secured by Groom of Nine
teen, but His Father Was on Hand to
Give His Sanction-City Engi-
neer Set Down Upon.
UNDER THE AGE OF CONSENT
tsneo,al Dispatch to The rimes.a

fSpcCiHl iDiSIitSLi " -iic 4iIIleSJ
DANvILLE. VA. August 3o.-Rev.
Percy G. ElsoIn. pastor of Monett Me-
mortal Church, has recently performed
In this city the two most remarkable
marriages that have occurred here IN
some time The principals In both affairs
were transient people, but that does not
make the marriages the less Interesting.
The circumstances surrounding both cou-
pies were peculiar. Indeed, there is an
element OF mystery connected with both
events.
On Saturday, at his residence. Mr.. Ell
som married quietly Miss Eliza a. Ap-
pleberry. Of Fluvanna county, to Mr..
Henry c.. Thomas. of Goochland county
The ceremony was performed upon a
certificate issued from the clerks Office
of Fluvanna. The date and place of mar
rage was left blank in the certificate.
The girl. who was only eighteen years
OF age is said TO have been quite pretty.
She being under age. the consent OF her
parents must have been obtained before
the license could have been Issued IL
that consent was properly obtained u
would seem that there was no necessity
for them to journey to another place
for the ceremony to be performed
WANTED SECRECY.
The young couple undoubtedly desired
secrecy In fact, they requested Mr.. FL
som not to let the newspapers get hold
Of the matter. Mr.. Elsom himself was
struck with the popularity of the pro-
ceedng; but The certificate seeming to be
perfectly regular and proper, there was
no excuse upon which he could refuse
10 exercise the power vested in him as
a clergyman and unite them in the holy
bonds of matrimony. This was accord
ingly done.
according to request, Mr.. Elsom kept
the matter a secret until such time as he
WAS ready to deliver the certificate to
the clerk here. 10 be returned to- the Of
fec from which it was originally issued
IT was after the certificate was thus de-
ivcred that the matter leaked out. The
clerk whose signature is attached to the
certificate is William Sclater, of Palmy-
Ia The young couple disappeared inl1ne-
Ciatelv after the marriage
Mr. 15lsom is still in the dark as to who
and what his mysterious visitors were
aid their strange proceeding in coming
here to be married upon certificate prop
er1y issued and attested. when they might
well have been united at the lady's
home Undoubtedly the young people
IL CIV their business best. But that does
not affect those who have knowledge of
the matter from being a little curious. No
reason can be assigned as to just why
strange marriage be kept from the knowl
edge of the newspapers.
aSs ANOTHER CASE.
Miss Reecy Edwards. of Raleigh, N. c.,
and Mr. Alexander Franklin Connirgs
Wa.ner, who halls from l.eaksyille. were
united in marriage at the Southern Rail-
way depot at 4 o'clock Thursday after
noon by Mr. Elsom 1t is not known pre-
cisely why they elected to be married in
this city, except that having several
hours to spare here, they decided that the
time might as well be employed TO some
advantage.
License TO marry was issued the couple
from the clerks Office of the Corporation
Court. The groom gave his age as nine
teen years. The bride is reported as
twenty-five. The consent of the groom
father was given in person. the groom
himself being under the legal age The
age of the bride vas also sworn to.
Considering this marriage in connec-
ton with the one of Saturday, it would
seem that Danville is usurping the popu-
larity originally given to that Mecca of
nmorous young people. Pelham
ENGINEER OvERRULGD.
City Engineer. c. A. Ballou, was sat
down upon quite heavily by the City
Council at a meeting of that body held
Tuesday night. The attention of the Coun-
Gil was called to the fact that the Water
Committee had directed Mr. Ballou 10
have the water drawn off and the reser-
vor cleaned, but that the engineer had
declined on the ground that it was not
practicable. and further, that it was not
necessary. Mr.. W. r. Mitchell, a member
Of the Council. brought the matter be-
fore the body. He said that his object
In so doing was for the purpose Of hav-
ing an order made to the effect that the
reservoir must be cleaned out.
Mr.. Tom Swami addressed the Council