The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1907-07-27
County Clerk Penny Proved a
Stumbling Block to Aged
Couple of Western Wayne
County Who Wished to Wed
PROSPECTIVE BRIDEGROOM
COULD NOT GET LICENSE
When Questioned on Applying
For Such He Could Not Re-
member the Name of, the
Woman He Wished to Marry

Dublin, Ind, July 27.-Thursday or
this week Gavin Davenport, aged So
years, and Mrs. Maria Louisa Biba,
aged 20 years. were to have been mar
ried, but County Clerk Harry f. Pen
ny, an old friend of the prospective
bridegroom, proved a stumbling block
in this particular romance. so the
wedding has been postponed. notwith-
standing the fact that Mrs. Biba had
prepared the wedding supper.
Although the courtship of the old
couple has not been generally known,
the two have formed liking for each
other and Thursday they decided to
get married. Accordingly Calvin
proceeded to Richmond to get the IL
cense, however first arraI ing with
Squire Swain about performing the
wedding ceremony. Mrs. Biba, who
resides with her son, George Biba and
his wife, hastened about to prepare
for the wedding supper, killing the
fatted calf and had every thing in
readiness for the occasion. Supper
time came and the bridegroom did not
put in an appearance. A search was
made for him and he was found at his
home calmly mendng a pair Of socks.
Calvin is getting a little childish and
had evidently forgotten to show up.
His chief reason however was from
the fact that he had been unable to
obtain the license. When he arrived
at the clerks office he found there
were too many questions to be ans
wered. He did not know the name
of his bride-to-be's parents. or where
she was born and many other similar
questions. He had even forgotten the
name of the lady whom he was to
take as his bride. The clerk tod
him he was too old to get married. and
disgusted and angry, the old gentle
man returned to Dublin. Why, said
Davenport. Il never had to go through
with all that tom-foolery when I was
before. SO years ago. It is
only trick put up to have fun with
us" He hunted up Squire Swain and
called the wedding off.
Will Try II Again.
However it is said he will try again
and when the Palladium's representa-.
tive called on Mrs. Biba she exhibited
out Mrs. Biba was very indignant
over the turn of affairs. Just as II
we did not have a right to get married
Il we wanted to- said she. I'VE are
Did people, that is true, but Grandpa
Gas she is wont to cali her intended)
IS still able to work and needs a wife
20 look after him SO what is the diff.
'erence?' Mrs. Biba is hale old wo-
nan although her rheumatism causes
Ter to use walking stick. She came
o Indiana about year ago from Ohio
1ut was born I'm Charleston. W. Va.
She has several children all married.
SO has Davenport. but he has always
'efused to make his home with any
'f them, preferring rather to make
his own living and batch" it.
Mrs Biba insists that IL the license
S not obtained pretty soon she will
:all off the wedding for good
Today the services of Squire Swain
will be enlisted in the filliAg out OF
he application and it is thought that
he wedding of the old couple will
hen go off with out any further dif.
iculties.
Will Not Issue License.
County Clerk Penny states that no
viii not issue a license to Davenport.
lie says that il the old man insists on
citing married he will refer his an
ication for a license to Judge Fox.
Davenport is too Old TO get married.
fe cannot support himself and a wife
nd besides he is getting to be child.
sh" stated Mr.. Penny. The clerk
tates that Davenport did not forget
he name of his intended as he had
written down on slip of paper
ut that the old man had a hard time
iscovering how to make his exit
-om the court house. Mr.. Penny,
no has known Mr. Davenport for
everal years, lectured him like .
utch uncle and advised him not to
larry. Mr.. Davenport seemed to be
impressed with what the clerk had to
ny and when he left the court house
Ir. Penny thought that his aged
lend had decided to forget loves
oung dream