Evening journal., 1912-09-04
DRYDEN IS
HELD FOR
TRIAL HERE
Young Man Who Married Here
Must Defend Perjury
Charge
BELIEVED HIS BRIDE
TO Be OF LEGAL AGE

years old, was held in $500 bail for
the upper court by Magistrate Lewis
to-day, on a charge of perjury, in
swearing that the age of Miss Marian
Taylor, daughter of Mr.. and Mrs. Rich
ard E. Taylor of Melrose Park, Pa,
was Is years. when he married her in
July, whereas, according to her
father, she is but IA years old.
The hearing consumed nearly two
hours Of the magistrates time and
big crowd collected in and outside the
magistrates office, drawn there by Gu
riOsity and the romantic elements con-
nected with the affair. The object Of
greatest interest. however, Mrs. Dry
den CIaylor) was not at the hearing,
her father having failed to bring her
to Wilmington this morning. He in
formed a reporter for THE EVENING
JOURNAL that the law prohibited
wife from testifying against her hus-
band, and If the defence wanted her to
testify they would have 10 bring her
here and pay the expenses of the trip.
Taylor said the reason she was here
on Monday night was because she
came herself to see Dryden and he
came after her, taking her back home
Dryden, who was admitted to bail
last night in the sum of $500, fur
nished by James c. O'Neal, was repre-
sented by Wilbur L. Adams. while the
state was represented by Deputy At
torney General Josiah o. Wolcott
William G. Jones, counsel for Mr.. Tay-
lor, being out Of the city.
Dryden pleaded not guilty and the
first witness called by the state was
Magistrate Thomas II. Buckley, who
issued the marriage license to the cou-
pie on July 1. He testified that Dry
den came to his Office, unaccompanied
and gave the name Of the young
woman he was to marry as Marian L.
Taylor, and her age as Is years. 70
which facts the defendant subscribed
TO the required oath
Mr.. Buckley was followed on the
stand by Mr.. Taylor, the father Of
Dryden's wife. He said in reply to
questions asked him by Mr.. Wolcott,
that his daughter, Marian, was IA
years of age on June &c, last, and he
asserted that Dryden knew her to be
that age, for when she celebrated her
thirteenth birthday anniversary at
Spring Mount, Pa, last year, Dryden
was present and bought a present for
the girl
Mr.. Taylor said that before Miriam
was fourteen years of age Dryden
came to him and said he wanted to
marry her. The witness said he
called Dryden "a fool and said il
was ridiculous for him to think oi
marrying girl who was not yei
fourteen years of age Taylor said
that Dryden replied: You wait until
she is fourteen years old and you nc
longer have control over her and
will take her." This he did," said
the witness, they having been mar
ried four days afterward."
In cross examination Mr.. Taylor
replied in answer to questions asked
by Mr. Adams, that he had asked that
a similar charge against Dryden
which came up in the City Court on
July last, be Withdrawn. Mr.. Vol
cot considered this evidence imma-
teIial be- after some argument, al.
lowed it to go in. He said that sub
sequently he had another warrant
issued for Dryden's arrest. Wher
asked why, he replied that DrydeI
did not live up to his agreement &c
keep away from his daughter unit
she was eighteen years of age. H'
agreement with Dryden himself, bu
understood from his attorney, Mr.
Jones. that Dryden had made thii
agreement. Mr.. Taylor said tina
Dryden afterward dried to break int
his house to take the girl away ant
was arrested by the Ogontz, Pa. 20
lice on a charge of burglary. WheI
this charge did not stand he thel
had a warrant issued for him charg
ing perjury.
In his own defense Dryden admittei
that he gave Miss Taylor's age a
eighteen years and said he believes
her to be that age. He denied at
tending any thirteenth birthday ami
versary celebration of Marian Tay
lor and also denied that he hal
bought her a present, as her fathe
had testified. He further denied eve
broaching the subject of marriage I
Mr.. Taylor but admitted he had dis
cussed The subject with Mrs Taylor
The defendant further swore tha
Miss Taylor had told him last yea
thai, she would shortly be eightee
years old. He also said that whe
The first charge of perjury was drol
ped in the City Court he had mad
no promise to stay away from hi
wife.
MI. Wolcott asked the defendar
in cross examination what the mothe
told him when he told her he woul
like TO mary Marian. Dryden re
piled that the mother said her daugf
ter was too young but she did nc
mention her age. He concluded b
saying that both Mr.. and Mrs. Taylo
knew he was paying attention
SAeir daughter.
The next witness was the Re-
George l.. Wolfe. who oficiated Z
the marriage Of the couple He tel
tilted that Miss Taylor insisted sh
was eighteen years of age. when b
questioned her on the subject. An
as she looked it" said Mr.. Wolfe,
performed the ceremony"
Charles B. Dawson, Of No. 526 Y
Fourth street, testified that Dryde
and his wife came TO his house G
July and rented room. He sal
be had spoken to both on several OF
casions aud one time Mrs. Dryde
tTaylor) told him she was eighsee
years old.
Il would have supposed her to
twenty years old myself" added Il
witness.
This concluded the defense and NJ
Wolcott recalled Mr.. Taylor who te
tilted in reply to questions asked hir
that he had ordered Dryden TO r
main away from the house, but tn
he had returned on one occasion il