Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-07-06
FORD MARRIED HERE
HighIanders' Star TwirIer
Takes Southern Girl.
WILL PITCH TODAY, THOUGH
Couple Could Not Bear Thought Of
Separation Until Base Ball
Season Ended.

A bridegroom of less than a day, Rus
sell Ford. New York's star pitcher, and
his groomsman, Ed Sweeney, his bat
terry partner will be the battery for the
New York Americans in their contest
with the Nationals today in New York
city.
Rather than wait until October to be
married, with an intervening period of
absolute separation, which would have
begun last night, Russell Ford persuaded
his fiancee, Miss Mary Hunter Bethel,
to become his wife without delay The
wedding was performed at o'clock last
night in Trinity Episcopal Church, the
pastor. Rev. G.. w. Van Fassen, per-
forming the nuptia1 rite.
Pitcher Ford caught the midnight train
for New York city, accompanying his un-
suspecting teammates to that city for
today'S game in which he was scheduled
to NIL the box Mrs Ford remained over
train for the metropolis, where she will
join her husband after the game.
The bride came to Washington from her
nome In North Carolina to see her fiance
a. ing the stay Of the New York team
have been married in the fall, and this
was to be the only opportunity for their
meeting until the time set for the wed
ding. This prospect pleased neither of
them, and the wedding was a natural re-
suit.
Before Mr.. Ford's departure for New
York the couple spent much time in send
ing dispatches to their family and friends
announcing the union.
Mr.. Ford fs a Canadian, and his home
is at Saskatchewan, where he has an ex-
tensive farm. He is as distinguished as
cartoon1st In the northwest as he Is as q
pitcher throughout the country; His par
ents spend their winters near Indianap-
oils. Ind. attending to their properties
in Cenada during the season OF produc-
ton. He has been with the New York
base ball team about four years.
The bride Is the daughter of ]. w.
Bethel Of ReidsviNe, N. C., prominent
was the late Gov. Morehead, and she is
q niece Of the late Gov. A. M. Scales OF
the Tar Heel state.
Mrs. Ford Is a beautiful girl. about
nineteen years old. A freQuenter OF sum-
mer resorts Of North Carolina and Vir-
ginia, she has commanded the dignity
Of the belie whever she has been. In af-
fairs Of the United Daughters OF the Con-
federacy she has held an important part.
and was sponsor-in-chief at the recent
Mobile reunion.
Meet in New York.
The couple met in the Imperial Hotel in
New York city, last fall. Miss Bethel
had just returned from Europe. and was
the guest OF Mrs. Ollie James Of Ken
lucky. 1t was love at first sight, and
their attachment had the family approval.
Their wedding date was set for October
of this year.
The games OF the New York team and
the Nationals. played in washing
ton, afforded Miss Bethel ansopportunity
to Join her fance at the point nearest her
homo where he would touch during the
base ball season. With Mrs. Ernest Clapp
OF woodstock. Va. one Of her closest
and has been here since Tuesday.
There was no prior plan for q nuptial
ceremony. The necessity grew with the
prospect of long separation. Mrs. Clapp,
the chaperon. finding herself unable to
stem the tide Of their determination,
yielded to the inevitable and consented
to be matron Of honor.
Yesterday morning was spent in hastily
gathering together a brides trousseau
In the shops of Washington. The ring
was bought and the license applied for.
At the ceremony in the church the
wife and family Of the pastor were in
teresfed spectators. Except the grooms-
man and the matron of honor there were
no friends of the couple In attendance,
although the spectacle Of the lighted
church drew within the portals a num-
Der OF curious people OF the neighbor-
hood.
Mrs. Ford will remain with her hus-
band until his team leaves New York,
some time In August, for q long tour Of
other base ball league cities. She will
then return to her home to visit her par
ents until she rejoins Mr.. Ford in Octo-
Der.