The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1908-10-01
LOSES
HIS YOUNG BRIDE
Mother Takes Young Wife
Away From Husband
IT WAS RUNAWAY MATCH
Deserted Husband Says He Will Take
No Court Proceedings, But Will
Await His Wife's Return
In Patience.

Atlanta, September 30.-Russell Thomas,
chauffeur, and Miss Sylvey Speer were
married in this city several days ago and
left Immediately for the north. Miss Speer
is in her own right heiress to three
quarters of a million dollars. She is
under 20 years of age. According to pub
lished statements the marriage took place
without the consent of her parents Mr.
and Mrs. Thomas went north as far as
Spartanburg, S. c., where they were over
taken by Miss Speer's relatives. Mrs
Thomas returned to the city last night
and left for New York today.
In an authorized interview Mr.. Thomas
says that in entering into the marriage
he was moved solely by the deep love
which felt for my wife, and rather than
sacrifice our future happiness we were
both fully prepared to make our own
way in the world
Mr.. Thomas says in his statement that
he does not intend to take any legal ac-
ton to regain possession of his WIFE
Mr.. Thomas was employed by the Speer
family before his marriage to their daugh-
ter, Miss Sylvey.
The following interview was authorized
by Anderson, Fielder & Anderson, repre-
senting Mr.. Thomas and as stated by
this law firm as coming from Mr.. Thomas !:
so much has been said in the news
papers In connection with my recent mar
riage with Miss Sylvey Speer, some of
which may give the impression to the
public that it is my purpose, or that of
my family, to take legal procedure in
order to preserve my ns-ital rights. that
feel that in justice, both to n1SS wife and
to myself, should not let the matter pass
without a statement from me.
I'm entering into this marriage I was
moved solely by the deep love whiNh l
felt for my wife, and rather than sacriNce
our future happiness we were both ful\g
prepared to make our own way in tho
world aided only by my industry and
the comfort which our love might give us.
Il am informed that Mrs. Speer has
taken my wife to the east for an extend
ed absence, and, 1 assume, in the hope
that she may ALLEVIATE her from me, but.
though l am advised that my rights as
a husband are superior to the rights of
her parents, and because believe that my
wife's love is as deep for me as my love
for her, I do not intend to take any
procedure of any sort looking towards
regaining possession of her, but l shall
await patiently the time when she will
convince her parents that her happiness,
as well as my own, depends upon their
consent to our being reunited.
II l proceeded by habeaS corpus or
other method to assert my right l would
inevitably humiliate and embarrass my
wife. as well as her parents and her
friends, and this alone would be a suffi-
Client reason why I should not proceed in
this manner. 1 have an abiding faith that
she will ultimately return to me, and her
wishes in the matter must eventually de-
termine the question, and thought it be
years before she Is able to assert her
rights, she will find me waiting and ready
to receive her.
Reuben r. Arnold, one of the counsel
for the Speer family, is quoted as saying
1.-THE young lady regrets more than
any one else the hasty and il1-advised
match"
Col. w. B. Thomas. father of Russell
Thomas, says that his son was working
as a chauffeur simply to complete his edu-
cation.