The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1909-10-07
Oldest Bridal Couple on Record
i'm Shawnee County.
Probate Judge Schoch Tied the
Knot Today.
BOTH WERE SLAVES.
Fifth Matrimonial Venture for
One, Third for Other.
Apparently as Happy as Tive
Children When Seen Today.

The wedding bells of Judge Schoch's
probate court rang joyfully this morn
ing at the union of two of Americas
real "darkies'' of the slavery period
William Shanks, aged "a, and Mary
Ann Lee, aged "a. The two representa-
tives of that class of negro which hes
won the respect of the white folk since
old Abe Lincoln's day will pass their
honeymoon, and perhaps the rest of
their eventful lives in the house of
Shanks situated east of Kansas avenue
on Eighteenth street-across the rail-
road tracks just before one steps into
the creek They are undoubtedly the
oldest bridal couple ever married in
Shawnee county.
At 10 o'clock this morning William
Shanks hitched his horse to the spring
wagon, drove over to 1900 Lincoln
street, assisted his 81 year-old bride to
the seat and drove on to the court
house. Returning he drove to his own
abode, installing its new mistress in
time to prepare the celebration dinner
The home is a small structure of but
two rooms implanted and inorAate but
a look inside would indicate that the
congenial old folk will be comfortable.
A small porch at the entrance over
looks the twisted Shunganunga. There
! behind the tall paling of the fence
which surrounds the cottage the re-
porter found the newly weds content
edly enjoying an after dinner pause in
their new excitement.
Their greeting was the cordial well
come characteristic of their class Mr..
Shanls was anxious for the comfort of
his caller, providing an easv chair and
readily and cheerfully telling of his
eventful career. The bride of but an
hour was somewhat shy, giggling girl
1shly whenever the marriage ceremony
was the topic of conversation. The alb
sence of a predominant southern in
donation was noticeable in the speech
of each of them, accountable, perhaps,
by their long residence in the noAth.
Yes, was a slave,' said the old man
who is apparently younger than some |
men of fifty. ''the day Abraham Lincoln !
was assassinated 1 left Nashville, |
Tennessee, for the north. Everywhere /
I saw the images of Lincoln hauled |
through the streets. But you can not |
tell how glad we darkies were when we i
heard Of the proclamation which set US |
free.
ct had seven owners. L was born |
the slave of Thomas Sheldon in Ken |
lucky. At five years old was sold to |
B. H. Brisentine and made house boy. /
I nursed his seven children until was
sold to Nate Baxter, for whom 1 drove |
carriages and cooked. Then 1 was
sold to Emmett Whitlock and worked |
on tobacco plantation and was sold
to John Wisdom for the same labor.
Then George Hillman bought me and
I worked for him seven years in the
Iron works on the Cumber-
land river. Last DIR. Shanks bought
me and took me to Arkansas on a cot
ton plantation. His name I have to-,
day.
ct was sold as Willis but when was
free 1 changed the name to William
len When | was SCI 1tee L Went
here in 1888 and lived right here
where / am now"
The wife remembered that her last
master had been Harmon CardweH in
< anf11CkU N tobacco MIA tinn h11f
further than that she was unable to
relate her history. perhaps because she
was too fused
Queries about wives disclosed the
fact that Shanks has had five. One
who bore him three children in sla-
very. died at the close of the war.
Then he married in Nashville and
lied in 1901. Since that he has tried
two more taken in the probate court
here who have deserted him. One was I
Angelina Holmes, the other Mary Jane
''This woman will not do such a
.hing,' he said. ''she has too much
sense. If she does as I tell her and ,
Toes hight she will have better friend
han she ever had before.
when man has to get a license
20 have a friend then I think she /
ought to do right by him.
If her third husband. One was sold
rom her in slavery with two children.
the married Mr.. Lee in Atchison. Lee
vas an old soldier of the Union.
Both of the old people are able
bodied and active despite their years.
rhe husband has method for long
life of his own. Never taken any
Medicine but watch your blood" he
avs. "and you will live long. I used
Q take medicine until I was nearly
lead. Now 1 am able to work and
rave gained in weight
since coming to Topeka Mr.. Shanks
las been in the "junkin' " business. He
as a little unpretentious bank account
nd intends to be able to live happily
ntil he dies.