The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1910-03-11
GODFATHER" EXPLAINS
Attorney Max Powell Of His connec-
tion with Knox Elopement

Attorney Max Powell Of His connee-
tion with Knox Elopement
Burlington, March ll.-ln letter
to the Burlington Free Press Max l..
Powell explains his position in the
KnoX.Boler elopement
AS any vow Of secrecy is now alb
solved. | will state my connection
with the much heralded Knox-Boler
elopement.
Last Sunday morning as | started
for church, | had a phone call from
Champlain, \. Y. A prominent at
torney there, a long time friend and
one to whom | was indebted for many
favors shown me stated over the
phone that young Knox, a classmate
at Andover Of his son, and his fiancee
were at his house and had eloped,
that the New York law required con-
sent of parents and inquired as to
our marriage law. | inquired into
age and he said p for Knox and Is
for the bride. told him that under
our law they were Of age, that no
consent was necessary and that any
town or city clerk would issue a IL
cense. those facts existing. He asked
as special favor to him il | would
| assist them to obtain a license and
II consented My first question to
/ Knox was as to his age and he said
he was born in 1883 and he so stated
to the clerk. Her age both gave as
is.
Both stated that they had been en-
gagged for eight months, that their
parents knew and approved but want
ed them to wait a year, and young
Knox stated that he was following
IN the footsteps of his elder brother,
who also eloped My friend from
Champlain in his phone message
spoke in the highest terms of the
young lady and said she had stayed
with his daughter Saturday night and
her position was exceedingly emhar-
RAISING. and he urged me on her ac-
count 10 do what could lie stu.
alton then was this. Here vas n cou-
pie who had elope9-n0 culcealment
Of that fact-they were OF age and
had a legal right to MARRY and had,
as they said, the consent Of their
parents TO m2ggy come time She
had on excite diamond ring and
her asents Of that order, which
indicated that TINS was no sudden
delusion Miss Bowler said she had
been to Washington and met Knox's
parents. AS a sponsor for this we'd
ding my friend had sent over his son
who was Knox's classmate who also
stated that Knox was 81 years old
and also Mr.. Glllen another class
mate.
1T is but due TO Mr. Guthrie to say
that he refused to have anything tC
do with the matter until he had talk
ed with the parties and in this W,
fully agreed. He had private con
yersation with young Knox and ok
pressed his willingness to perform
the ceremony don't know wha
was said but | presume Knox stated
as he had to me that his parents dix
not object.
Neither Mr. Guthrie nor myself il
any way countenanced this elope
ment and frankly said So
, was induced by persuasion o
, / u liAtHh " up iol AutM NHdt inc.
might have done for themselves O
anyone else for them
Il was in no sense attorney fu
, Knox and never received or aske,
one penny OF compensation TIL
young lady said she much preferre,
to have a minister marry them Sh
gave every appearance OF being
lady Of refinement The engagement
was one Of long standing and had tn
hearty approval of his two friends
, young men of standing
They may have lied. we may hav
been deceived, but on their statemen
: Mr., Guthrie and ! both thought tina
l such a ceremony had better be pei
= formed by a clergyman than by in,
tice of the peace We may have con
! mitted an error of Judgment. We /,
: tended to do ACCORDING to our INFO
> nation what was best for all concern
e ed"