The San Francisco call., 1905-08-01
NEWS OF THE COUNTIES ABOUT THE BAY
WEDS LOVER DESPITE
HIS MISFORTUNE
w. r. Zibbell and George Kempfer Are
United in Auto Because the
Groom Cannot Walk.

OAKLAND. July 31.-Out of the West
there came to-day a modern Lochinvar
to claim a briue. It was a twentieth cen'
tury wedding with a vengeance that was
celebrated this afternoon in Oakland
when bride, groom, witnesses and the Off
ciating knot-tier sailed forth in an au-
tomobile and celebrated the ceremony in
the big touring car on street corner.
Willard Rush Zibbell and George Kemp
fer were the contracting parties.
In the large machine with the "chug
chug' of the wheels for accompaniment,
Justice Of the Peace w. r. Geary pro-
nounced the words that united Zibbell
and his bride. The witnesses who sat in
the forward seat with a chauffeur were
]. W Zibbell and 4.rs Dora Zibbell, the
grooms father and mother and
Miss Ena Zibbell, his sister. The
groom is horseman of some
note, and is member of the firm of lib
bell & Son, proprietors of the ZibbeH
stable e72 Eleventh avenue, San Fran
cisco The bride is also a resident of the
city across the bay, whence came the
bridal party in the automobile to-day.
The wedding occurred at the corner OF
Sixth and Castro streets at 4:30 o'clock.
Shortly before that time Justice Geary
was summoned to the County Clerks Of
flee by message which announced that
his services would be required at a mar
riage ceremony.
JUDGE TAKEN ALONG.
When the Justice arrived he was intro
duced to the automobile party, and was
invited TO jump in for a ride. 1t was ex-
plalned to Judge Geary that the bride
ano groom did not desire TO leave the
machine, so a quick run was made TO
Sixth and Castro streets as a convenient
f1IIIn ylTy
the event was concluded, and Justice
Geary left the machine, waving adieu to
the bridal party the automobile faded
away in the cloud of dust, headed back
for San Francisco.
Around the unique wedding is a touch
of unusual sentiment and pathos. Sew
eral weeks ago Zibbell was touring in
Fresno County with a friend. While
walking across the track one night they
were struck by train at a railroad
crossing. The friend was killed, and lib
bell was crippled for life. His left arm
was cut off and his right hand was sew
cred. He also suffered internal injuries
which for many days left him hoyering
between life and death. The injured man
was nursed back to life by careful and
attentive effort.
The most anxious of all during this time
was the young mans sweetheart, Mrs.
kempfer to whom he was engaged to be
Many days passed before word
was at last given that Zibbell would live
Then the betrothed pair met again.
Who" it was asked, should have a
better right to care for this unfortunate
man than the woman who was to be his
wife?"
1t was all talked over among the Zib
bells. The young man was sure he did
not want his sweetheart to make the sac
rifice She, with a loyal heart and In
sstence that could not be broken, de- |
cIared she must take her place at her
lovers side as his wife. Only in that
could she be his helpmeet in his
hour of sore need and trial.
HAS HER OWN WAY.
So the arguments ran until the plucky |
like most of her sisters had |
her own way Then 1t was problem, in
view of Zibbelrs. condition, to have the |
celebrated without undue no.
ice They desired to come to Oakland, |
hoping that here it could be arranged !
quietly The family desired to be pres
ant A procession of hacks was not want |
ed and Zibbelfs condition was such that |
ne could not travel in the ordinary way |
DIV boat and train. The automobile |
solved the case.
Without any publicity the Zibbells and |
he bride formed the party that headed |
'or Oakland this afternoon. Without de
ay the trip was made to the Hall of |
where the necessary license and |
he equally necessary Justice of the |
Peace were brought into service. In the /
orief explanation that was made while /
he Justice was on the way to the |
,endezyous, he was told that owing to |
he groom s crippled condition he could
lot leave the machine. Judge Geary rap |
dly made a mental review of the law of |
he State of California on the subject of I
marriage He could remember nothing
hat prevented him from officiating in an /
so long as the contracting
parties were legally qualified. Without
my ado he joined in the spirit of the oc-
,asion and sent away the happy couple
With his judicial blessing.