The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1913-06-17
L0VELAUGHS
At OBSTACLES
Chicago Hotel Man WEEDS Mu-
steal Comedy Actress at
New Willard.
FORGOT THE PREACHER
Couple Wanted to Wed in Capitol or
on Monument, but Are
Fooled.

After being foiled in a romantic at
tempt to have the joyous matrimonial
bond welded either in the Capitol or at
the top of the Washington Monument, W.
Leonard Hicks, proprietor of the Grant
Hotel in Chicago. and pretty Miss LII
liam Millership, of Philadelphia, mu-
steal comedy performer, were married at
the New Willard yesterday afternoon at
40 o'clock with Harry Houdini, the
handcuff~ king, acting in the capacity OF
best man.
washington about noon yesterday with
a small marty of relatives and FRIENDS
for the purpose of having a quiet wed
ding and avoiding all unnecessary pup
Lefty.
John c. Eversman. assistant secretary
of the Republican National Committee'
was present at the ceremony and ASSIST
ed In attempting to stage the wedding at
~. canitoI and later at the Monument
NJ Fyersman was surprised yesterday
morning when he received a telegram
from a personal friend in Peoria, Ill. re-
ouesting him to meet Mr.. Hicks, a close
friend Of the Illinois resident, ana 10
aid in tying the knot Mr.. EVersmail
called at the New Willard Hotel ABOUT
Il: 30 o'clock, and made himself acquainted
u
charming bride-to-be. A taNicao was
taken TO the City Hall, where the first
difficulty of the day was encountered. one
of the clerks surprised the party by CIV
ing voice to a jargon of legal phrases
the import Of which was that hVe Gays
were required for nonresidents to secure
the necessary license. 1t was only jest.
Hunt for CIerGymen.
The clerk asked for the name of the
CLERGYMAN hut not thought had been
given TO that important parsonage.
The clerk at the New Willard was
finally appealed to, and he suggested
the name of Rev. Edward NJ. Mott OF
lss u Street Northwest.
One automobile was sent Tor the
clergyman. while another was rushed TO
the City Hall to supply the lacking
name and obtain the license. In the
meantime Mr.. Hicks had announced his
desire to be married in the Capitol, and
Mr. Eyersman had made arrangements
for the ceremony with Elliott Woods,
superintendent of the legislative build
ing. All would have worked well If
some newspaper correspondents had not
become inquisitive and asked Mr.. Woods
so many questions concerning the legal
ity of the proceedings that he was
forced 10 search the musty records. The
following fatal section was found
1T is forbidden to parade, stand, or
move in professions or assemblages, or
display any flag, banner, or device de-
signed or adapted to bring into public
notice any party. organization, or move
ment in the United States Capitol Build
ing or grounds"
This section barred the wedding. The
next choice of place was the Washington
Monument. 1t was o'clock, and, as the
doors Of the monument close promptly at
4 o'clock. all haste was imperative. The
matrimonial party hurried into large
touring car, and after meeting the clergy
man and sTaspinE the license, sped to-
ward the tall white shaft.
The elevator was just preparing to go
aloft for its last trip when the occupants
Of the car alighted and FASTENED aboard
on their arrival at the top, there stood
a blue-carbed. brass buttoned minion of
the law. One of the party led the pO-
liCeman to a distant window and en-
cOuraEed him TO discourse on the beauties
of the historic Potomac while the clergy
man prepared for the ritual. But the
preparations attracted so much attention
that the policeman finally scented the
plot and explained that although there
was no law barring such ceremonies they
were contrary to custom.
So the couple descended the shaft and
went to the New Willard, where they
were married. Those present at the
ceremony were Mrs. Paschal Hicks. of
Chicago, mother Of the bridegroom; Miss
Flora MiIIershiD. of Philadelphia, sister
IF the bride; Harry Houdini; Mr.. Evers-
man: and Mr.. and Mrs. J. Warren Davis.
Of Springfield. Mass. who crossed the
continent from San Francisco 10 attend
the wedding.
Mr.. Hicks. who is twenty-siX years of
age. met Miss MIllership in Chicago
about five wears ago. The pretty actress.
who is twenty-five years old and pos
SCISSOR of a charming personality. left
ler company about two weeks ago, de-
c!dinE to retire from the footlights to
embark upOn the more Joyous matri-
monial sea.