Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1903-11-21
w. "A. MATTE FAILS TO APPEAR
TO MARRY MISS BROWN AT
cENTERvlLLE.
SENDS NO EXPLANATION
Young Dry Goods Clerk Becomes En-
gagged to Prominent Young Society
Woman of centervilIe After Short
Acquaintance.

Centerville, Nov. 20. Especially -
The unexplained and unexpected alb.
sence of the groom prevented the we'd
ding of Miss Grace Brown a prominent
and attractive young society woman of
Centerville to w. A. Matee. At 8
o'clock Thursday Matee had not
put in appearance nor had he sent any
word to explain his absence. Mean
while the home of the prospective
brides parents, DR.. and Mrs. G. F..
Brown which was to have been the
scene of the marriage shelters three
people whose minds are torn by con-
fiicting sensations. The young woman
and her father, while believing that
Matee will eventually arrive here with
good explanat ton for his delay. are
at loss to say why he has not writ
ten or telegraphed to let his afflanced
know of the cause of his absence.
A Prominent Family.
DR.. Brown, the father Of the young
woman who expected Thursday to be
a bride, is one of the most promi-
nent physicians in Appanoose county.
He is well known as well-to-do and oc-
cupies one of the most elegant homes
in Centerville. Both he and his wife
have been prominent in all the move
ments for the improvement and better
ment of the town and community and
their many friends and admirers feel
the utmost sympathy for them at this
time,
Miss Brown is one of the most popu-
lar young women in Centeryille and
takes leading part in the society af-
fairs of the city She has many admir-
ers but to none of them did she give
encouragement until W. A. Matee APP
peared In Centerville about September
4 / this year. He secured position as
clerk in a local dry goods store and
soon became acquainted with Miss
Brown.
Matee Leaves centerville.
The young people met several times
but it is said by friends of Miss Brown
that only on one occasion did Matee
make a formal call at the young
woman's home On September %, he
left Centerville without notifying his
EMPLOYERS Of his intentions. but II
seems that Miss Brown knew where
he had gone Soon it leaked out tina,
the young people were corresponding
and that Matee had. gone to Texas
though the place where he located
cannot be learned.
Engagement Announced.
"a few weeks ago Miss Browns par
ents announced the engagement OF
their daughter and Matee and it was
stated that the wedding would take
place at the brides home at noon to
day. Preparations were made for the
event and the young people kept VI
their correspondence. Few invita-
lions were issued as Matee had asked
that the wedding be quiet one owing
to the recent death Of his father.
Groom Fails to Arrive.
One letter to Miss Brown, SO rumo
has 1t, stated that Matee was working
for a large dry goods firm in Texas ant
would be in st. Louis this week to blu.
goods. The plan was for him to COM
from st. Louis to Centerville Monda.
and for the wedding to occur yester
day. The non-arrival of the prospec
tive groom last night caused little o
no surprise, but when he failed to pu
in an appearance today and no wor,
was received from him in explanation
gossips began to wonder and soon be
gan to talk.
May Yet Come.
DR.. Brown feels sure that Mr.. Mate
is not, as some would believe, and ad
venturer, but that is has been I'm
avoidably detained and will arrive i
Centerville in due time. The man
friends of the family, while not all S
hopeful as is the doctor, will be ovel
joyed if he is righ..
MANY DEFENDANTS NAMED.