The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1906-05-16
Angry Father SWears Out War
rant for SOn-in-LaW's Arrest.
Made False AfFidavits to Secure
Marriage License.
BRIDE is ONLY SIXTEEN
Louis st. AUben SWOre That She
Was Eighteen.
MahOn Patterson Comes to To-
peka for Warrant.
BRIDE is ONLY SIXTEEN


Louis St Auben came down from
St. Marys, Kas., on Monday with
Bertha Patterson. and upon represen-
tation at the probate judges Office
that his age is q and that Of the girl
1s. he secured marriage license. +
Then they returned to st. Marys. /
where a justice Of the peace tied the
knot.
This morning came the sequel, and
its threshing out is going to be mighty
interesting The girls father, Mahon
Patterson, walked into the county
attorneys Office right after s o'clock
this morning and stated that his
daughter was only 16 years Of age.
He wanted St Auben arrested
County Attorney Hungate, upon the
fathers complaint, made out a war
rant charging St Auben with perjury
in that he swore to a false affidavit
when he said that his wife-to-be was
IS years Of age, when in fact she was
but 16.
This is the first case of its kind on
record in the Shawnee county district
court Never before has an irate
father had his sOn-in-laW arrested for
falsely giving his daughters age in
procuring the marriage license. 1T is
. the first ever I have run across or
heard OF in this county, certainly" said
Mr.. Hungate as he dug into his law
books to post UP on the matter.
Patterson has objected all along to
his daughter keeping company with
St Auben. He knew nothing of their
coming to Topeka and getting the
marriage license; in fact nothing at
all about the matter until he learned
that the marriage had taken place.
Then he came to Topeka and in
Yestigated the probate court records.
He found there that st. Auben had
given his own age as d, and that of
the girl as is. A girl must be IS
years of age in order to get a marriage
license in Kansas, unless she has the
consent OF her parents. Patterson
finding these false ages given. at once
proceeded to the county attorneys
Office and got out warrant He says
that st. Auben is only Is years of
age instead of 81. But about that
part he cares nothing. He is con-
cerned over the fact that his daugh-
than. It actually IS and for this per
jury he declares he will make St
Auben suffer.
It is Mr.. Hungate's opinion that
even though the charge of perjury is
sustained, and st. Auben sent to iafl
or fined for 1t, the marriage contract
VIII not be annulled thereby 'The
only way that the marriage can be
broken, said Mr.. Hungate, will be
through q regular divorce process. On
the IacLS IN this case PatterSonss
daughter can undoubtedly secure sufH-
Client cause for a separation. But she
appears to have wanted to marry
him"
Patterson made trouble for his SON
in-iaw at St. Marys on Tuesday night
When he found that the marriage had
taken place. he had st. Auben arrested
for disturbing the peace. St Auben
was taken before a court, but gave bond
and was released and went back to his
wife
The warrant for St. Auben's arrest
was given to the sheriff this afternoon
and VIII probably be served before
night The case win probably come nm
for preliminary hearing in the court If
Topeka on Thursday morning. It Is a
very interesting complication The o-,rl
wants st. Auben for her husband and
her father Is Just as determined to
break up the match. and has gone So
1aF as to have his son-in-law arrested
twice one for disturbance Of. the peace
and second time for perjury, all with
in the space OF "a hours.
Patterson is a well-to-do farmer and
lives In Wabaunsee county. St. Msrvs
across the river. IS his postofffee al
dress. His daughter and her husband
are now living at ST. Marys. The rea-
son the perjury case was brought II,
Shawnee comfy is because the MAJ
riage license was obtained at the nro
bate court In Topeka.
Il Just hope that a few cases Of THE
Kind win be threshed out and made To