The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1907-10-04
Was to Have Gone
With Fleet to Pa
cific Coast.
N Last Spring
and Bride Is Pros
trated.

NEW YORK, oct. 4-Crazed as the
result Of his enthusiasm over the forth
coming cruise of the American battle
snip feet 10 the Pacific. in which his
ship TIE Washington, cruiser lyinE
In the New York navy yard, viii take
parts Lieut. James P. Combs. L. s y.
has been placed in the navy hospital
IL is doubtful whether his condition VIII
permit Of his taking part in the cruise.
which he allowed 10 occupy his mind
10 such an extent that it gave way.
Doubly unfortunate is Lieutenant
Combs illness. in that he has a bride
whom he married under romantic cir
cumstances only last spring. Mrs
Combs is the daughter OF J. So. George
Joyce, who Is well known in literary
circles in Philadelphia. She IS plunged
in deepest distress b. the sad ending Of
the honeymoon, which began only d few
weeks ago
Married Last Nay.
Tney were married Just before the
y as,lington departed from New York
fJ- Bordeaux last May. The engage
Cient had lasted two or three years.
and the wedding was set for June
last. and on Nay 3 Miss Joyce. with
her friend. Miss Eleanor Bennett cFH-s
TO New York 10 visit friends and attend
a reception given by. the VIE Of q prom
ineut naval officer.
As the trio was leaving Philadelphia
Lieutenant Combs received q telegram
that had been forwarded 70 him from
the navy gard, notifying hlm that he
was 10 go on the Washington, which
would steam four days later for France
Of 81
before the date set for TIE wedding.
Impatient Of the brsak in his plans.
Lieutenant Combs. while al dinner IL
Jacks restaurant the following evening
with his tiancee, Lieutenant Cooper
and Miss Bennett. proposed 20 Miss
Joyce that they be married at once.
No less disappointed over the uneXpect-
ed order for his departure than her be-
ant Cooper offered the use of his
mothers wedding ring. which he was
wearing. a minister was summoned hur-
riedly, and the ceremony was performed
at the Hotel AstOr-
Began Acting Strangely.
When the cruise to the Pacific first
became a certainty Lieutenant Conlos.
.ho is thirty-one years old. was deep
Iv Interested The more he thought of
il the more imaginative and enthusiasts
he grew over she prospects for service.
He soon came 20 talk Of nothing else.
His fellow-Officers began 10 notice th-t
he was acting strangely and that the
prospective cruise and its opportunities
had become g distinct mania with him.
The climax came Tuesday as the
Washington was preparing TO leave IN.
navy yarc for Hampton Roads. BIS con-
ditCn was reported 20 his Commanding
officer Observation Of his condition
WAS made and it was decided TO send
him ashore TO Inc hospital This was
not accomplished without considerable
difficulty, as il was not desired 10 use
force In getting him ashore In the hos
pital, his reason gone. at least tempo
rarily. the unfortunate officer raves ff
the cruise and its ace mpanyiug mane--
Vers-
Lieutenant Combs was appointed 20
the navy from Illinois in 1895 and has
Leen popular officer during MS sarv-
ice He is accredited by his sllDariors
with exceptional efficiency and ambition
to earn promotion