Evening journal., 1909-01-13
MARRIES GIRL WHO
MENDED HIS COAT
Incident Of rs Years Ago
eliminates in Guthrie
Walker NuptiaIs

A promise Of marriage made twenty
five years ago was faithfully fulfilled
at G o'clock on Monday evening in 81.
Thomas Catholic Church, when John
Thomas Guthrie. who fought Indians
in the far West years ago. led TO tho
altar his sweetheart. Miss Frances
Helen Wolhar. Of No. 400 Union street
Mr. Guthrie, who was for years a
prominent contractor. became ac.
quainted with his bride about twenty
five years ago, while engaged in the
erection OF a two-story brick building
for Edward Mclntire, a trustee of the
old ST. James Catholic Church, at tho
corner Of Wawasett and dupont
streets. Accidentally tearing his coat
one day he went to the residence Of
Martin Wolhar. on Wawasett street.
near dupont. which was one Of the
nearest houses. and asked a youna
woman who was there if she would
give him n pin as he had torn a large
rent in his coat He did not enter
the house but waited outside until the
woman procured the pin. A few
words passed between them, the rent
in the coat was pinned. and then Mr..
Guthrie went back TO work. The young
woman he had seen was Miss Frances
Helen Wolhar.
Tells Of His Courtship.
Mr.. Guthrie told the story of his
long courtship to an EVENING JOUR-
NAL reporter at the home Of the bride,
No 400 Union street. Mrs. Guthrie.
who was seated nearby. corroborated
what he said. and a more loving couple
IL would be impossible to find in all
Wilmington.
Mrs. Guthrie said that she had often
made the statement that II she did not
get John she did not want anybody
She had a number of other Offers oi
marriage. but had refused.
Mr. Guthrie said: "Thc reason I die
not marry years ago was because l
was waiting until / could provide a
proper home for g wife, and my wife
said she would never leave her father
as long as he lived"
The brides father, who resided IN
the same house. died on December
last Mr. Guthrie then felt his chance
had come and after his brides gricf
over the loss of her parent had some
what subsidized ne pressed her to set
the date FOR the hnppy event. on ac-
count Of the death Of Mr. Wolhar the
wedding was strictly private. Tic
ceremony was performed in 81.
Thomas Church by Father Connolly.
Leroy Wo,har. n nephew Of the bride,
acted as an altar boy and assisted the
priest IN the marriage service. Tie
I bride was attircd in mourning on ac-
count of the recent death Of her
father.
Father Connolly gave some good adj
vice to the happy couple at the close
Of the ceremony. Mr. Guthrie. who
on acccisnt of having an honorabff
dischargc from the regular u. S. Arur
was able to secure admission TO { S
National Soldiers Home at Washin5is
ton and has lived there for about sev
wears. I,
Mr. Guthrie served his apprentices sres
as a carpenter and builder wiIFChaI K.
McCl6slzey. and while workifr sor -.
helped to build Sc. Mary's, St f-a. 81
Sacred Heart and other Catholic
churches. Mr. Guthrie did a lot Of
work for Bishop Baker, the first bishop
OF Delaware. and among other thinRs
nut a new roof on the school house q
st. Peters Church. where he had gone
to school as a boy, and also built a
confessional in ST. Peters Church.
Mr.. Guthrie Is 81 years old. Ills
wife Is his junior