Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1903-04-02
Stern Father Locates Daughter,
a 17-Year-Old Bride of
Six Days
RAN AWAY FROM SCHOOL 70 WE'D
Isaiah r. Smith. of Rockwell, Says He
viii See What Virtue There Is in the
Law-Intends Prosecuting Ralph Le-
Fever, Of st. Anthony, Who Was In
strumental in Securing the License.

. The curtain was drawn in this city
Wednesday afternoon on little do
nestle tragedy, which had its begin
ming a week ago when Ivan Guy Smith,
a 49, year-old boy living near Rockwell,
elcped with pretty Lola Zelle Smith,
aged IL. q student in the Rockwell high
school, from which she was to graduate
next June. The couple was married
at st. Anthony Friday. March "a, by
Mayor Samuel Meekins.
Isaiah f. Smith, well-to-do farmer
living six miles northeast of Rockwell,
in Bath township, who is about to re-
tire from the farm and move to Mason
City to reside is the father of the bride.
Miss Smith was in school at Rockwell
and on Wednesday, March %, obtained
an excuse from the principal on the
grounds of illness. The illness was
caused from the bacilli of love, fresh
culture of which had found fertile
ground in the heart of the young girl,
and she met the object of her affections.
Ivan Guy Davis, aged 1S. son OF 3 Il.
Davis, formerly q farmer living three
miles north Of Gearing, but now living
near Rockwell. The young people
didn't ask either Papa and Mamma
Smith, or Papa and Mamma Davis, but
took French leave, going to Mason
City. AT that place they boarded the
fast night train of the Iowa Central,
No. s, coming to this city. On Friday
they obtained license at the office
of Clerk of Courts Knisely, Ralph lie
Fever, OF ST. Anthony. minor son OF A.
ID. LeFever, farmer living about mid
way between st. Anthony and Gearing,
acting as sponsor and swearing to the
affidavit In which the question of the
legal ages of the young people was the
most Important The happy pair, con-
graduating themselves on their capa-
bility of outwitting the old folks, took
the Story City branch train in the
evening for st. Anthony. where Mayor
Meekins was induced to tie the nuptial
knot.
At the Rockwell end OF the line the
scene was not so happy. Mr.. Smith
was about two days late, but when ne
found that his daughter had left school
he was pretty sure what had happened.
He also found that young Davis was
not at home, and at once began the
search. He came TO this city and con-
suited the marriage record and a rev
little rotations under the DIS" told
him all he wanted to know. He went
to Fearing Wednesday morning, With
the idea OF tearing the bride from her
Young husband Davis refused to be
torn and accompanied his wife and her
father to Rockwell Wednesday evening.
MIR. Smith is in a dilemma, and is
hardly sure what is the right course
to pursue. He will consult legal advice
at Rockwell, and II there is any pos
sible way of separating the young peo-
pie he is going to do 1t. To a Times
Republican man he said that he was
not going to break his daughters heart,
and he didn't think the separation
would have that effect. She had all
ready given him her promise TO remain
at home FIVE years. Mr.. Smith had
future plans in store for his daughter
and he had anticipated for her. after
she completed the high school course,
her well, and has the means to do It,
but she has preferred an early mar
riage, without Difference to his wishes.
Mr. Smith says that he never objected
very strenuously to his daughter keep
ing company with the lad she now
calls husband, because he didn't sup
pose she cared much for him. They
had been keeping company but short
time. which was all right, as they lived
in the same neighborhood and We're
about the same age. Young Davis has
two brothers, Burt and Roy Davis, liv-
ing at Gearing. Mrs. Davis is an un-
usually pretty girl. a decided blonde,
and is very ladylike and refined in APP
pearance.
While Mr.. Smith is not inclined to
be In the best of humor as a result
OF the entire transaction his wrath is
directed more toward young LeFever
than any one else. He said that he
saw no good reason why he should not
prosecute him to the full extent of the
law, for swearing falsely as to the ages,
and intends doing so. The license rec
ord shows the ages of the couple at
their next birthdays to be % and 10.