The Detroit times., 1912-05-02
BY MARLEN e. PEW.

CONCORD, N. H., May 2.-Should
a man marry his daughter-in-law? The
question is political issue in this
state.
The law of New Hampshire forbids
the wedding of man to the widow
Of his deceased son.
Ancient Mosaic law, found in Levi
ticus, Xxx, prohibits the act and de-
clares the punishment for violation
shall be death for both bride and
groom. But in Genesis We read that,
at the dawn OF civilization, il was not
only the right but the duty of
father-in-law to wed his sons widow,
providing she had not borne male
child. Brothers similarly married the
widows of brothers.
And now, at the MONDAY of human
enlightenment, comes an American
man and woman proclaiming their
intention OF contesting the time-worn
Biblical prohibition as we'll as mans
modern law.
Frank A. Dryer. formerly q member
of the legislature, has announced his
snea segment to his. late sons widow,
Mrs. Katherine Dryer Both say tSey
can see no wrong in such Contract.
as they are not blood relations, and
love, from Cupid's straying darts, now
signs heavily between them.
she shall be my wife. In spite OF
New Hampshire law or ancient con-
Ivention," Dryer fervently declares.
II love him." the widow frankly
confesses. She Is % and he is twice
that age. Both are wealthy.
The wheel Of fate has spun weird
entanglements into the lives OF this
couple whose love affair has startled
staid and conventional old New Eng
land, calling forth a protest that
would dismay less resolute hearts. In
the mountain district about Meredith,
where the couple are we'll known,
their friends and neighbors have TAX
en- sides, some finding no objection
to the match while others hold up
their hands In horror.
The local controversy thus develop
ed became state wide when Dryer.
discovering that a century-old state
law forbade the marriage, announced:
Through my friends In the legisla-
.ture | hope to have the law annulled
or bill passed enabling me to take
Katherine for my wife,"
Following this antagonistic gossip
famed up like volcanic eruption.
The matter became political issue,
fading all other questions.
Four years ago Charles Dryer mar
ried his schoolmate Katherine Fleet,
then of Belmont. Mass. AS children
they had played about the home of
Charles parents. On March 20, 1910.
Charlie an Katherine, while driving,
We're struck by train on a dangerous
crossing, Charlie was instantly kill
ed. Katherine had a miraculous
escape.
Grief over the loss of her only son
fell heavily upon Mrs. Frank A. Dryer
and although Katherine was almost
constantly at the woman's side TO aid
her father-in-law In giving comfort e
the stricken mother, Mrs. Dryer final
ly took to her bed and died on Sept
6, 1911.
Sympathy arising from our double
grief drew Katherine and me close
together" Dryer now says.
Grief healed quickly under the balm
Of the pine scented country roads,
through which Dryer and Katherine
uAONc udliy, dHu tie bOiTOW Vi ycbleI-
day metamorphosed into the love Of
today
Following the first shock of the
news that the couple would marry in
June, Buyers attention was called to
chapter ia, section 2, of the New
Hampshire statutes, which reads as
follows: No woman shall marry her
husbands father. This prohibition
shall continue Notwithstanding the
dissolution by death or divorce Of the
marriage by which the affinity was
created"
Il is considered exceedingly doubt
full II Dryer will succeed in getting the
New Hampshire law changed. Gov.
Robert p. Bass Is strenuously oppos-
ed 10 Il. He said:
Irrespective of the merits OF this
particular case and aside from the
moral question, think II would be
impossible for a. man to force the
legislature to pass bill overriding
general law to suit his personal con-
venience
at is a grave question whether Il
10 right to allow relatives by marriage.
who are not blood relations, TO mar.
~. or whether in the majority of such
cases II would be wise 20 prohibit such
marriages The wisdom Of any such
rule should not be determined by any
one instance. The moral issue might
be different In every specific case"
Patent Applications Med by Barthei
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