Los Angeles herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1900-1911, 1909-04-27
CUPID OPENS JAIL
DOORS; UNA STOKES
BECOMES A BRIDE
LEGAL AID SOCIETY ASSISTS
LOVE GOD
Girl from Pasadena Who Was Accused
of Forging Name Is Declared
Innocent and Fiance
Gets License

A story of youthful love, of happy
school days, childhood promises, of an
attachment growing stronger as the
years passed; the dark clouds of trou-
BILE, the period of separation by the
hand of the law; then the passing OF
darkness and the coming of sunshine,
all eliminated last night in quiet
wedding ceremony in room 6l9 Cham
Der of Commerce building.
For the marriage last night OF Harry
Ricketts,, 81, and Miss Una May Stokes,
81, which took place in the little room
of the Legal Aid society, unfolded
wonderful story of the fidelity of the
bridegroom. But few short hours
before the wedding Miss Stokes was
prisoner in the Los Angeles county
Jail with a felony charge beside her
name on the blotter. But through the
persistency of Mr.. Ricketts,, and the
untiring efforts of the members of the
Legal Aid society, everything was hap
PLY adjusted.
Harry Ricketts, and Miss Una Stokes
were schoolmates when children in
Denver, and there made the VOW that
resulted in last nights marriage.
Came to Pasadena
Miss Stokes came to Los Angeles
nearly a year ago. to visit friends in
Pasadena, and to seek rest. Her moth
err and father had died but a short
time before. Ricketts, came to South
ern California shortly after her arrival.
1t was while in Pasadena that the
trouble arose. On September IT, 1908,
a complaint was made out in Pasadena,
alleging that Miss Stokes had forged
a check. using the name of her room
mate, Mrs. Harriet WINS. Miss Stokes
could not be found, and Ricketts,, who
had been employed at the Sunnyslope
dairy, left Pasadena about the same
time.
February 10 of the present year Miss
Stokes was found at work in a depart
ment store in San Francisco, where
Ricketts, was also employed. She
was brought to Pasadena and arraigned
on a charge of forgery. She stead
lastly denied any guilt. Soon after
Ricketts, returned to Los Angeles, and
has been working since at various
places in the city. All the time his
sweetheart has been confined in the
county Jail Ricketts, has worked inces-
sanity to obtain evidence to bring about
the release of Miss Stokes His per-
sstency and his faith in his sweet
hearts innocence came to the atten-
ton of the Legal Aid society, and their
attorneys, Col. Thomas Thornton and
M. A. Fleming, went to work on the
case.
The result of their endeavors. was
shown yesterday morning. when upon
motion of Deputy District Attorney
Asa Keyes the charge against Miss
Stokes was dropped and she was al
lowed her freedom.
Plans for Wedding
AS soon as Ricketts, heard the news
of her discharge, and while she was
busy gathering her belongings in the
matrou's apartment at the county jail,
he hurried to the county clerks office
and procured a marriage license.
Mrs. Leland Norton, superintendent
of the Aid society. and who worked for
the release of the prisoner, at once
made arrangements for the wedding
ceremony.
The affair was arranged and with
the assistance of other members of the
society plans were made to have the
marriage in the office of the Legal Aid
society.
The marriage was performed at 1880
o'clock last night, Rev. Reynold Blight,
a member of the Fellowship and of the
society. officiating. The witnesses were
Mrs. Norton and Miss Helen A. Lamb,
The bride was dressed in pink silk
and carried a bouquet of sweet peas.
The little room was Hastily decorated
with ferns and roses for the occasion.
Those present at the ceremony were
Mrs. Norton, Miss Lamb, Mrs. Jennie
Reynolds and Mrs. George Shehi, ma
iron at the county Jail
Mr. and Mrs. Ricketts,, after brief
honeymoon, will make their home in
Los Angeles.
The couple were profuse in thanks
to the members of the society, through
whose efforts the charge against the
bride was dismissed.