Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-10-19
AGED CONSUL EL0PES
Capt. B. D. Manton, Aged 10,
80
Takes Bride of 43.
FAMILY OPPOSED WEDDING
Couple Secretly United and Have
Since Disappeared.
HIS HOME NOW IN URUGUAY
His Wife a Philadelphia Woman of
Many Talents and an
Authoress of Note.

PHILADELPHIA. October 19.-Capt.
Benjamin D. Manson of Colonia, Uru-
quay, and Miss Sarah Hartman OF this
city. who were married in Worcester
Mass. Friday have taken part IN
genuine romance Notwithstanding the
fact that the bridegroom is seventy-nine
and his bride forty-three
The captain is wealthy land owner
in Uruguay, and is known as the father
of the telephone in South America. IRIS
is his fourth marriage.
The marriage which was arranged 10
take place in Providence, of which city
Capt. MantOn is a native, was performed
only after the most strenuous OPPOSE
ton on the part of Capt Manton's fam
lily and then secretly. The couple took a
hasty automobile trip and had the cere-
mOny performed at Fall River, Friday.
For thirty years Capt. Manton. who has
been the United States consul at Colonla,
regularly returned for an annual vaca,
ton, which he spent with his brothers and
sisters in Providence. This year he re-
turned in August and then announced
to his family that he intended to wed
Miss Hartman.
She is a writer and has been engaged
in the work of collecting historical facts
relating to the government of many
South American states. Thus 1t was she
met Capt Manton, as the representative
of his government at ColOnia.
Capt Manton was Smitten at first sight
That was four years ago. He never for
got her and kept up an unflasgng court
ship by mail.
His Family Opposed Match.
Members of his family admit that they
were much set against his marriage at
his advanced age. but say he was not to
be dissuaded. 1t is said that Capt. Man
ton settled $4,000 On her before the mar
rage and provided a like sum to be held
in trust for her.
They have disappeared. 1t is believed
they are now in New York. intending
soon to sail to Europe on honeymoon
trip
1t is said to be Mrs Manton's intention
to return to Philadelphia and complete
historical writings which will require
three months. before going to her new
home in COlOnia.
Miss Hartman and Capt. Manton went
to Providence from Philadelphia early
last week. The wedding was scheduled
for Thursday by the Rev. Samuel H.
Webb, but without a word the couple dis
appointed him and went by automobile
to Fall River and were married, so siren
uously had the captains family opposed
The Rev. John Hartman. who per-
formed the ceremony. is brother of the
bride. The witnesses were Frederick
Mansfield of Philadelphia and George F.
EItz of Fall River The ceremony was
performed in the Mellen House.
Love at First Sight.
Capt. Manton's brothers and sisters
said that Miss Hartman was a talented
woman and that the insistence on the
marriage was entirely on the part of
Capt. Manton. with whom it was case
of love at first sight.
One of the family, in explaining the
matter at Providence said:
Miss Hartman did not seek this mar
riage. In fact. she demurred until the
captain insisted. Then she looked after
her own welfare. She has only been here
once before that being to attend a clam
bake.
Naturally. the woman members of the
family are rather severe in their stric-
lures. The men were strongly OPP
posed. believing at eighty it was not wise
for Capt. MantOn to marry.
However, 1t is over. L understand the
couple have gone to New York and will
then sail for Europe. There is nothing
more to be said about the affair, which
we consider regrettable."
Capt. Manton's Career.
Capt. Manton was born in Providence
May TO- 1879 When sixteen years old
he joined fishing fleet, and a short time
later made a voyage to California around
Cape Horn. In 1852 he went to Monte
video in the bark Lecoq, which was his
first command
After being master of several sailing
vessels in the South American trade he
enlisted at the outbreak of the civil war
and commanded the mortar brig Sea-
foam and subsequently, the ship Relief,
in the squadrOns of Farragut and Du-
pOnt.
After the war he carried troops to Bra
zil which was then in state of inter-
necine turmoil. and, approaching the pos
siDlitieS of South America settled in
Uruguay. There his tireless energy
which he still retains to great degree.
caused him TO embark in many enter
prises and to project many notable i'm
provements, most of which lie has car
ried on to completion.
Included in his achievements was the
establishment OF telephone lines in the
Platte river section. which gave him the
name OF Father of the Telephone" He
also introduced electric lights in Colonia
and built extensive wharves
TOMMY, THE BOY DETECTIVE.