The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1905-06-17
Agricultural Department
CONDUCTED BY FULTON S. WHITE.

, the crop was looking quite well with a
good stand generally.
Passing on through Charleston and Sa-
vannah, with short stops at each, we
reached to Jacksonville, Fla. and from
Jacksonville out to where the small grain
was nearly all harvested and where large
lines of early vegetables were being
shipped to the north. Leaving Florida,
passed through Alabama, Louisiana and
Mississippi, reaching Memphis as next
stop. The last states named have all
had too much rain for the crops
Leaving Memphis we pass through
water soaked Arkansas where the rains
have greatly damaged growing crops, as
well as delaying all farm operations.
Passing out of Arkansas and across Mis-
souri,. where the strawberry season is
on, 1 reached again st. Louis. l have
been In the strawberry shipping sections
for eight weeks or more. commencing in
Texas and reaching clear around through
the southeast Atlantic states.
| found Knoxville one OF the prettest
little cities that | saw in all my rounds.
Here there seems to be an unusual ac-
tivity in building and in improvements
generally. The residence part of this city
is artistically arranged. l was very
much impressed with Knoxville.
Man Who Marres Elopers.
Bristol is also beautiful little city,
situated in both Tennessee and Virginia,
the main street through the town being
the dividing line between the two states.
Here at Bristol l found business OF pro-
fession which is found in but few cities
In this country. Bristol enjoys pecu-
liar history, a romantic history. 1t is "A
city of refuge for runaway couples, who
come here to be joined in holy wedlock.
Here Is the only place where l have ever
met man whose main business is to per-
form the marriage ceremony for rum
away people l had read somewhere of
the Rev. A. II. Burroughs and of the
many couples whom he had married, so
having a few hours to spend in the even
Ing called upon this gentleman to learn
more of this matter. l found the parson
very tallSative, and he seemed to take
much pleasure in relating his experiences.
When asked how many couples he had
united in marriage he called for his book
of records and said 81 married two
couples today | will put these down
and add up" And it amounted to a
total of 1852
We continued the conversation for per-
haps half an hour, when the doorbell
rang. The parson opened the door,
young man appeared and said, "Parson,
| have brought a couple who want to
get married. All right, Sdlu Tue puF-
son, "come right IN" Five young people
filed In and were shown into the parlor.
When all were ready the parson invited
me In. and so l had the pleasure of wit
Messing the marriage ceremony. The par
son certainly understands his business
and uses such a pleasing ceremony that
one almost wishes to be young again.
After the young people had left | took
out my memoranda and remarked that
must move up my figures to 1858, The
parson smlingly remarked. IF you will
remain here until after the two night
trains pass you may have TO move up
your figures again" But l could not
remain.
The parson explained the laws of both
Virginia and Tennessee regarding mar
riage. The law of Virginia is very strict.
requiring that the age of the applicant
for a marriage license must be twenty
one years, and that both must have the
written consent of parents. so that hun
dreds of young people have to run away
from Virginia and come to Tennessee,
where the law is not so strict and where
all ages from sweet sixteen up may get
married. When they get across Main
street they are safe in Tennessee.
Parson Burroughs visits all trains and
goes prepared to care for the welfare and