The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1904-02-16
ELDERLY HOPERS
0UTW|I CHILDREN
Wealthy Wisconsin Farmer and
Widow Hasten to St. Paul
and are Married.

Lester Griffin, a wealthy farmer Of
st. Croix county, Wis, over sixty years
of age, and Mrs. Kate Michaels, a wild
oW living at River Falls, Wis. yester-
day eloped to St Paul, secured mar
riage license and We're married last
evening by Rev. Benjamin Longiey,
of the Central Park Methodist church.
Following the marriage ceremony the
couple took dinner down town and de-
parted last night for Kansas City,
where their honeymoon will be spent
with the relatives of Mr.. Griffin.
Mr. Griffin was a widower. and Mrs.
Miehaels a widow Both have grown
up children in ST. Croix county, all
OF Whom were unaware of the intend
ed marriage. The announcement of
the marriage created sensation in
the little town OF River Falls, where
both parties are well known.
Mr. Griffin lives out in the country
few miles from River Falls, and is
considered one of the wealthiest farm
ers In St. Croix county. He has sew
eral children, all grown up and some
of them married. 1t was stated by a
River Falls man who was called up
by h e G. o b e last night that the
children objected seriously to their
father marrying again, and several
times during the past few years they
have prevented him from doing so.
Foxy Father Fools Children.
But this time the gray-haired father
was too smooth even for his own chill
dren. Just as matter of precaution
Mr.. Griffin made a quiet little trip to
81. Paul last Saturday, at which time
he made ali arrangements for secur-
ing the license. He also made arrange
mentS for Court Commissioner Gallick
TO perform the ceremony, but the widow
upset the plans for the marriage when
the couple arrived in the city yester-
day. She had no particular objections
TO Mr.. Gallick, but she announced fatty
that she was too good a Methodist to
be married by a court commissioner
or a justice of the peace.
She declared that she would be mar
r1ed by a Methodist minister or not
at all, and Mr.. Griffin consented. Rev.
Longley was looked up, and the elop-
ing couple were married at the min
listers Summit avenue home shortly
before o'clock last night.
In River Falls, where Mrs. Michaels
has lived for some years, and where
she is well known by almost every
body in the village, it was not even
hhOWA t4ldl the wealthy 1drm6r was
paying court to her, so carefully had
they conducted the affair, and among
the children of Mr.. Griffin. 1t was
thought their father had given up all
intention to marry again.
Thought She Was Going Shopping.
In leaving River Falls yesterday Mr..
Griffin purchased his own ticket, and
paid no attention to Mrs. Michaels, who
happened to be coming to ST. Paul on
the same train, her friends being led
to believe that she was making a trip
to the city to do some shopping. Even
Mrs. Mfchaels. 5nineteen-year -old son,
Harry, was not let In on the secret,
and the first he knew of his mothers
marriage was yesterday evening when
T h e Gil o b e telephoned to River Falls
for information.
The objection on the part Of Mr..
Grifhn's children to his marriage is
said to be on account of his property.
He is estimated to be very wealthy,
and 1t Is stated that the children had
no desire to see him take unto him
self another wife.
In order to avoid stormy scene
with his children, Mr.. Griffin and his
bride decided upon a short honeymoon,
and last night they started for Kan
sas City, after having sent letter to
their children informing them Of the
marriage.