The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1908-12-30
CHINAMAN WEEDS
YOUNG WHITE GIRL

Meridian, December 29.-(Special.)-
Because the marriage of Miss Ollie
Patton, the pretty little American girl,
to Lum Jack, the Chinese laundryman,
which was celebrated in this city Sun
day by the Rev. A. A. Craig, was con-
trary to the laws of the state of Mis-
sissippi, in as much as marriages be-
tween white persons and negroes or
Mongolians are prohibited, the mar
riage has been annulled and both Miss
Patton and Lum Jack are now liable
to criminal prosecution.
The marriage was one of the most
unusual that has ever taken place in
Meridian and as soon as it became
public caused much comment. Circuit
Clerk w. d. Cameron, who was I'M
aware ofthe fact that he had issued
the license for the marriage of the
white girl to the Chinaman, at once
made an Investigation and upon learn
ing the true facts in the case notified
both Miss Patton and Lum Jack that
the marriage had been annul1ed and
that it would be impossible for them
to live together as man and wife in
Mississippi.
The mistake made by Mr.. Cameron
in issuing the lincese for the mar
riage was a natural one. Miss Pat
ton in company with Tony, who claimed
to be a very dear friend of her faith
err, and who accompanied her to the
circuit clerks office, made application
for the license. Mr.. Cameron was I'M
der the impression that the license was
for young man named Jack and who
resides in a small town near Meridian
and, therefore, he didn't hesitate to
issue it. not once dreaming that the
pretty little girl had plighted her love
to a Chinaman and was securing the
license for her marriage to one of that
race.
The laws of the state of Mississippi
to inter marriage between whites and
blacks or Mongolians.
The marriage of a white person and
negro or muiatto or person who shall
have one-eighth or more of negro blood, or
with Monaghan or a person who shall
have one-eighth or more of Monaghan
blood shall be unlawful and such mar
rage shall be unlawful and any party
thereto, on conviction, shall be pun
fshed as for marriage within the degrees
prohibited by the last two sections.
Code 1908. Section S244."
Owing to the fact that all parties to
the marriage were innocent of any at
tempt to violate the laws of the state
inasmuch as they were not aware of the
fact that marriage of a white girl to a
Chinaman is prohibited, it is not thought
there will be any prosecution unless the
young bride and her yellow-skinned lover
should attempt to live together as man
and wife.
Miss Patton. while an orphan, comes
OF one of the very best families in the
state. Her grandfather, Gen. w. S. Pat
ton, who died several years ago. was a
general in the Confederate army and
gained marked distinction on the battle
field in the struggle between the north
and south. Besides bearing military
honors, General Patton was also past
of Mississippi The father of Miss Pat
ton was Mr.. Pink Patton, who is now
dead, but who at one time lived here
and who is still remembered by many per-
sons in Meridian.
The Chinese bridegroom, when seen to-
night, said that he would Immediately
employ counsel and would fight for the
possession of his bride. lie said his
mother was an American white woman
and that so far as he knew. he had not
violated the law in marrying the girl he
loves and who loves him.