The Hartford herald. [volume] (Hartford, Ky.) 1875-1926, 1909-05-26
MARRIED IN A
PEN|TENT|ARY
Tragic Consummation of a
Courtship.
CONVICT'S BRIDE must WAIT
Three Years For the Release
of Her HuSband-A
Faithful Sweetheart.

BEHIND the walls of the Eastern
penitentiary at Philadelphia there was
shown an unusual evidence of young
woman's devotion to the man she low
ed. With the prison convicts behind
tightly locked doors as guests and
several OF the prison inspectors as
witnesses, Miss Katharine Moran, of
Doston, pretty, dark-eyed girl, not
more than twenty-five years old,
stood before the Rev. David II. Buel,
S. j., and promised to take "for bet
ter or for worse a man who is serv-
ing a six-year term for burglary.
The fact that the convict bride
groom, who is twenty-five years old,
has served only two years, and that
it will be at least three years before
his bride will be able to take him to
her arms a free man, did not deter
her. AS she stood by his side and ans
wered the questions propounded by
the priest, there was amazement even
in the eyes of the hardened inspec-
tors, who are accustomed TO all sorts
OF life happenings.
The high, dingy walls of the Jail
seemed to have little power to damp
en- her youth spirits. She entered Tie
gloomy entrance accompanied by two
faithful friends, and gave a smiling
recognition to the attendant who
swung back the heavy iron door to
admit her. A few moments sufficed
to complete her already carefully ar
ranged toilet.
With the wedding party in its place,
an inspector went to the cell occupi-
ed by the prospective bridegroom and
opened the door. Out stepped big,
broad-shouldered man. He walked
steadily into the little room where his
sweetheart was waiting.
They held each others hands for n
few seconds, and then Rev. Father
Buel announced that he was ready for
the ceremony.
When lie had given his final bless
ing and the bride and her husband
had kissed each other, the inspectors,
headed by Warden McKenty. shook
hands with the pair.
Before leaving, the bride, declaring
that the crime committed by her hus-
band was his first offense, announc-
e1 her determination to appeal for his
pardon. The prisoner was arrester
two years ago while trying to rob a
farm house in Bucks county.
Behind the ceremony lies a ro-
nance which began over two years
ago in Boston. Katherine Moran, who
was one of large family, well
known and highly respected in the
city of Galway. and educated there
in a convent, decided to come to-
this county TO earn her livelihood. She
came to Boston and there met the
mother OF her young husband, who
developed a marked interest in her
and finally asked her to come and
live with her.
When he was convicted and sentenc
ed to the penitentiary, she was heart
broken and made desperate attempts
to have him accorded a new trial
Firmly believing in his innocence,
she would have riarried him on the
day appointed fol the ceremony in
February, had not the court been in
session. The happy day was postpon-
ed for one week. when she hoped to
have him free, but the decision of the
court caused another postponement,
which at that time was indefinite, If
not hopeless, because of the nervous
breakdown of the young sweetheart.
Rallying once more from her disap-
pointment, and still true to the man
to whom she had pledged her word,
she began visiting him in the penn
itentiary, and her frequent calls were
soon noted by the Warden and his
assistants.
Warden McKenty was taken into
The confidence Of the young lovers,
and he helped in the arrangements for
the wedding