The searchlight. [volume] (Culbertson, Mont.) 1902-current, 1912-02-23
MARRIAGE INVALID
Bishop Lenahan Declares the Mar
riage Of Poplar Couple Multi
and Void

Topiat eXplalnS itSelt:
Some time ago F. A. was mar
ried to p. S. G.. The marriage
took place with all solemnity in
the Catholic Church at Poplar.
The couple had been instructed by
the officiating priest the day pre-
vious to the marriage ceremony.
1t was the father of the bride who
was very anxious that his daughter
should be married to that young
man. At first sight it seems that
the father was justified in insisting
upon an immediate marriage. Cir
cumstances seemed to demand it.
The Catholic priest not being at
Poplar was found to be at Frazer.
The father took the trouble to 60
to Frazer and to bring the priest to
Poplar for the marriage. Both ar.
rived on the train 4 p. m. The
two parties were intructed that
evening, before and after supper.
1t was arranged to have the solemn
marriage next morning with Holy
Mass and the nuptial blessing.
And so it was done.
The young man arrived with his
young lady a, the church where
the parents of both, together with
some few friends, were already
gathered. The ceremony took
place with the usual solemnity in
the presence of quite few people.
After the Nuptial Mass the mar
riage certificate was duly signed
by the parties concerned in the
priests room.
After the marriage the father OF
the girl explained to the young
man the wish to take his daughter
home until he could conveniently
find place for them both. The
young man with anger replied:
stake her and keep her"-and
went off never more to return to
her. For the wedding dinner, it
seems, he went east and she went
west. The morning OF their we'd
ding was the last these two were
seen together.
Halt year passed before any
person expressed any doubt about
this marriage. Then certain peo-
pie began to discuss the matter,
saying that It was forced mar
risee and consequently null and
void.
However, at first sight, the priest
could never reconcile the idea OF
such suspicion. since everything
was done before witnesses and
friends and without showing any
signs of a forced action. Both
freely consented to the contract.
Being personally convinced that
the marriage was right. the Catho-
lie priest frequently urged both
parties to live together as man and
wife. However with no success.
As time went on this marriage
case had to be considered in all its
details. II was discussed by many
people. Quite few learned men
were consulted. AS the case stood
il seemed at first sight that moth
ing substantial could invalidate the
marriage. The consent had been
given by both.
Undersigned put all the possible
circumstances together tor careful
consideration. Many letters were
written to get all the possible in
formation in the case. The mos,
delicate and personal questions
had to be asked. The frank and
openhearted replies from the per.
sons concerned enabled finally tc
put the case before the Bishop,
Plight Rev. Matthias c. Lenahan,
OF Great Falls, Mont. in all it.
minutest circumstances. And thi.
is the version Of the Right Rev
Bishop: "After maiurely consid
ering all the grave circumstance.
connected with the supposed mar
riage Of F. A. and p. S. G. l hav'
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