Evening star., 1911-06-03
NEARLY 1900 T|ES|
Parson Unites Many Couples
in Marriage.
BUSINESS GROWS STEADILY
Rev. Alfred II. Burroughs, Aged
Eighty, Conducts Flourishing
Gretna Green in Bristol, Va.

BRISTOL. Va. June 3.-Laughing de-
fance at ministerial unions and legisia-
tors who would dare interfere with his
unique business here on the border Of
Tennessee and Virginia, Rev. Alfred Har-
rison Burroughs, keeper OF the Bristol
Gretna Green, although nearly eighty
years of age, continues to marry rum
away couples at the rate Of about forty
q month.
He will soon have married 1000 couples.
His business has grown steadily since he
welcomed the first couple to the border
twenty-one years ago, and although he
has been the object of attack on the part
OF fellow-mnisters and their legislative
friends, he has survived all opposition
thus far. his latest triumph having been
the defeat Of the Cox bill, which was
intended to abolish his business by pro-
viding that nobody should be married In
Tennessee until after having spent q GER
tain number of days In the state and
having given public notice Of a purpose
the state senate, but the willy parson
had friends in the lower house who
speedily put 1t to death.
Waits at the Depot.
The minister is familiar figure about
the Union depot here. where he awaits
the arrival of all trains, with q cane in
one hand and two umbrellas dangling
from the opposite arm. Added to this
equipment at night is q lantern.
DR.. Burroughs has an unerring instinct
for singing out runaway couples, and he
never makes a mistake. So successful
became necessary for him to build a spe-
cial hotel Of twenty-five bridal chambers
for the entertainment of runaway couples
from the Vfrginias. He sometimes mar
time, one ceremony and benediction
sufficing for all, but the fees must be
paid by each couple just the same as
when they are married separately.
The ministers and others who fight DR..
Burroughs In his unique business declare
that he is responsible for many unhappy
and ill-advised marriages and that he has
crushed the hearts Of many parents who
otherwise might have been able to keep
their daughters, at home and properly
educate them. DR.. Burroughs smiles good
naturedly when told Of the opposition to
him.
Inspired by Jealousy, He Says.
TT Is only jealousy" he declares. that
prompts this opposition. The ministers
who complain would marry the same peo-
pie il they only had chance. I defy any
of them to show q record Of as many
happy homes established as are repre-
sented in the marriages have performed.
1t is fact that among the runaways
who have come to me only one couple in
every 100 has experienced the misfortune
of an unhappy marriage. The runaway
match Is Searly always more successful
than the homemade match. for in the lat
ter the girl gets for q husband the choice
of her parents, while in the former she
gets her own choice.
My conscience never stings me- con-
tinued the aged parsOn because of accu-
sations that am wrecking the happiness
and JOY of many homes. l know the
Scriptural injunction regarding marriage.
l know that young people will continue to
mate and be married whether am alive
TO perform the ceremonies or not, and
feel sure that so long as the world stands
it will be folly to trifie with Cupid
So widely known has DR.. Burroughs be-
come he receives communications from
young people from all over the country
seeking advice about how to be success
fui In love and how to choose q life mate
From Maine to California.
He has married couples from as far east
as Maine and as far west as California,
and he has received letters from England
and France regarding these marriages.
One of the latest communications from
England requests him to search the rec
ords for a marriage supposed to have
been performed in Virginia a century and
half ago.
Although DR.. Burroughs has lived many
years beyond the time allotted to man.
SO s.imulating is his chosen business that
ne declares he feels as young now as he
did at sixty. and he hopes to live to bring
his record up to 5000 couples welded by
him. -