The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1902-10-01
A QUEER CASE.
An Alleged Groom Who Denies that
He is Married.
OTHERS CLAIMS THAT BE IS.
1t Is Said That the Courts VIII
Have TO Decide the Mat
ter, as the Parties Do
Not Agree.

For sometime there has been con-
siderable talk in Columbia about the
alleged marriage of Mr.. Frederick
Schmidt, the proprietor of the Colum-
bia Steam Laundry, and Miss Nora
Martin, but The State says it has re-
Trained from mentioning the matter
understanding that it would be a
question for the courts to determine
whether the couple have entered into
a binding contract. The case is a
most peculiar and unusual one, and
for this reason has excited much COM
ment. The matter came to the pub
lie prints by means Of the following
which appeared in the classified ad-
yertiSement column of The State on
Tuesday morning Sept. p:
MARRIED.
Martin-Schmidt- September 13, by
Rev. ". W. Daniel, at the residence
of the brides father, Miss Nora Mar
tin to Mr.. Frederick Schmidt.
Wednesday morning, also in the ad-
vertising columns Of The State, ap-
peared the following, which caused
many to wonder:
TO THE PUBLIC.
The notice in this mornings State
announcing the marriage of Miss
Nora Martin to Fred Schmidt was in
serted without my knowledge or con-
sent. Notice is hereby given that
deny the marriage and refuse to re-
cognize Miss Martin as my wife or to
be in any manner liable for her debts
or contracts. Fred Schmidt.
Sept. %, 1902.
These notices being so completely
at variance the public interest be-
came intensified, and inquiries were
made as to the issue involved. 1t de-
veloped 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, it is said, to represent him in
any developments in the matter.
Wednesday night when Mr.. Green
was seen he declined to have anything
whatever to say for publication. 1t
was stated, however, that Mr..
Schmidt claims that when the cere-
mony was performed, between l and
? o'clock in the day, that he was not
in mental condition 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 well known all over Columbia.
On account of the interest mani
tested by the public in this strange
case, Mr.. W. Boyd Evans was asked
for a statement of the alleged brides
side of the case. At the door Of the
office 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 ply
sician, DR.. Kendall, called on the
Saturday of the alleged marriage, he
found Mr.. Schmidt there. The sub
ject of marriage was brought up and
DR.. Kendall was delegated to go and
get the Rev. DR.. Daniel to perform
the ceremony. When DR.. Daniel
came in he inquired particularly if the
ceremony should be proceeded with
and was given an Affirmative answer.
The minister observed that MIR.
Schmidt was in a happy frame of
mind but did not appear to be in a
state Of mental incapacity on account
of drugs or such influences.
The witnesses were DR.. Kendall
and a Mr.. Higgins, who boards in the
house and is rural free mail delivery
agent. Mrs. Martin and her other
daughter would not witness the cere-
mony and Mr.. Martin was in the
country. Mr.. Schmidt remained
around the house until late in the az
ternoon saying that he would be back
when he had paid off his workmen at
the laundry. He did not come back
Saturday night and Mrs. Schmidt be-
gan to make inquiry. 1t was then
that she was Informed that Mr..
SchmidU'S family declared the marrl-
age nullity on the ground that Mr..
Schmidt was irresponsible at the time.
Mr.. Evans says that a member Of Mr..
Schmidts family called at the Martin
place, l414 Pickens street, and con-
graduated the newly welded pair
Saturday afternoon State.
Trunk Exploded.