The St. Louis Republic., 1903-10-24
Charles Hardy and Bridal Party
Arrive in Belleville Too Late
TO Get License.
YOUNG WOMAN GETS ANGRY.
After Struggling in Car the
Couple Go Into the Street and
Prospective Bride Is
Knocked Down.

After n vain attempt TO secure a mar
riage license at Belleville. Ill. Charles
Hardy. son OF James Hardy OF St Louis,
and his prospective bride indulged in a
hair-pulling match. which began on a
Suburban car and ended on Main street IN
front OF the distlilery. shortly after 6
O'Clock last evening
The fight was witnessed by a score OF
persons. several OF whom called for a DO
uceman. When the latter arrived peace
had once more settled over the nelghbor-
hood. and Hardy, his prospective bride
and a young woman and young man
who accompanied them had sought ref
uge at 2 convenient hotel until the next
car for st. Louis.
The quartet arrived in Bellevilie about
o'clock. When they got TO the County
Clerks Office the deputies had gone FOR
the evening. Hardy and his would-be
bride wanted to know n license issued
IN BelIeyille could be used in ST. Louis.
and when told that It could not they
wanted to know II a priest in Belleville
would marry them
They were told that it would require
special dispensation. The couple said
that they did not want 20 be married by
q Justice and would either wait or return
o. Re'IavIile
Hardy wanted the members OF the party
to remain in Believille al night so that
the marriage could be performed in the
morning ard still the features OF the
elopement kept secret.
This did not meet with the approval OF
the young women. who either wanted the
marriage ceremony performed Immediately
or desired 20 return 10 St Louis. The
party walked TO a nearby hotel. where
they discussed the case, finally agreeing
70 return to 81. Louis.
As they got on the car. Hardy made a
remark which Gid not meet with the ap-
provaI OF his dancee. and she told him not
to repeat it. He did. however. and the
next instant Hardy found himsc.f sprawl
inE IN the aisle
His fiancee had a strong hold IN his hair
and he begged for mercy. When she re-
leased him. passengers in the car saw
her drop a handful of his hair TIE next
instant he had slapred her face. and again
she grabbed at his head and struck at
him.
The passengers in the car. several OF
whom were women. We're excited by this
time. and when Hardy's fancee called to
the conductor TO stop the car so that she
could get or. the passengers felt re-
ileved Hardy was determined that she
should not get on the car. and threw
himself on hes. forcing her into a seat
on the opposite side.
Again the young woman showed her
strength. wrenching herself away from
him and darting out Of the door She
Jumped OF the car before Il came TO a
stop and the ether members OF the party
followed her. When the party reached the
street the fEht was renewed.
From the sidewalk to the middle Of the
street the pair struggled and fought
Sometimes the young woman had the
better Of II and sometimes HARDY seemed
TO be inficting the most punishment. A
crowd gathered around the couple. and
suddenly Hardy's fist found the girls
Jaw and she went sprawling into the
street-car track.
She was assisted by her friends and the
four. alarmed at the excitement they had
a4u7ad hurried C. a ne tr-by MOTEL. where
they rearranged their toilets and boarded
the next car Tor ST. Louis