The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1913-10-28
MISS KATHERINE ELKINS MARRIES
BILLY" HIT QUIETLY AT HER HOME
Not Even Members of Family
Knew of Plans Until Morn
ing of Ceremony.

Katherine Elkins. rumors of whose
| engagement to the Duke D'Abruzzi
| and to BILLY" Hit, repeatedly have
| gained currency in recent years,
usually to be denied. was married to
the latter this afternoon
The ceremony was performed in
| the large ball room at "fIalliehurst."
the home OF Mrs. Stephen B. Elktns,
widow of the former United States
senator. Not even members of Miss
Elkins' family were aware the cere-
n1ony was to be performed until this
morning, when Attorney w. f, Baker
was sent to the office of the clerk of
court here to obtain a marriage
license. This was the first intimation
given by the couple that they were
even engaged.
The only ones present at the we'd
ding were ex-senator Davis Elkins of
Morgantowr, brother of the bride:
Mrs. Elkins, mother of the bride; ex-
Senator Henry c. Davis. of Elkins
grandfather of the bride: Mr.. and
Mrs. Blaine Elkins. of Morgantown,
brother and sister-in-law of the
bride; Colonel Richard Elkins, of
Philadelphia. brother of the bride.
Mrs. Chester r. Barnett of Fort
Meyer, Va. cousin of the bride and
Miss Katherine Britton. of Washing
ton, a friend of the bride.
At House Party.
All the guests have been attending
a house party at Halliehurst for more
than a week. Mr.. Hit being among
the guests
Ex-senator Davis Elkins was the
best man, and Miss Elkins was at
tended by Mrs. Blaine F,lkins. Owing
to the suddenness Of the whole af-
fair. no attention was paid TO dress.
and the ceremony which was per-
formed by Rev. Frederick II. Bar
ron pastor of the Davis Memorial
Presbyterian church. here, was most
informal After the wedding cere-
mony luncheon was served to the
guests
1t is said here Mr.. Hits mother,
who resides in Washington, II, c., did
not know of her sons wedding until
she was apprised Of II by a telegram
from Hit himself this afternoon The
wedding found the members OF both
ia miles and friends unprepared as to
gifts. However, Mrs. EikinS gave her
daughter a large cash gift. and ex
Senator Henry G.. Davis, grandfather
of the bride, gave her bonds OF great
value. Members of the Elkins family
would not state the amount of either
gift, merely saying they were "of
great value"
To Winter in Virginia
At 2:30 O'Clock this afternoon, Mr..
and Mrs. Hi,- left in Senator Davis
private car. "Graceland, for honey
moon trip of several weeks through
the Eastern States. Later they viii 20
to a country place near Middleburg.
Va, where they will spend the win
ter
Mr. Hit met Miss Elkins in Wash
ington- sncietX-ahout- tMa!xe -Iears
ago. Since that time he has paid
especial attention To her and was
frequent visitor at Halliehurst Sew
eral years ago reports became cur
rent that Miss Elkns was engaged to
the Duke d'Ahruzzi. The reports
were denied. but became persistent
! for time. 1t was later reported the
Italian royal family objected to the
duke marrying Miss Elkins because
of the American girl being untitled
I 1t is said they refused to accept her
on equal terms with the royalty as
Duchess d'Abruzzi. and the engage
ment was broken.
When newspapers were full of the
reports, Mr.. Hit continued his at
tentions to Miss Elkins. During the
I last summer Mr.. Hit toured through
Europe with the Elkins family On
the return of the party Miss Elkins
and her mother came TO Halliehurst.
Came as Surprise.
| When Mr.. Hit arrived last week
his presence did not cause particular
comment. as Mr. Hit was a usual
guest at house parties held each fall
in the local Elkins home. 1t is re-
I ported, however, that several days
ago friends suspected that some
thing was going to happen" bat 1t
was not thought a wedding would re-
suit at so early a date Friends of
the Elkins family had been antici~
pating the announcement OF the en-
gagement of Miss Elkins and Mr.. Hit
for some time.
! Mr.. Hit, whose father was
United States preventative from ILL.,
nois, has residences in Washington
and Chicago. At the death OF his
father he became heir TO an estate
valued in the millions of dollars.
Miss Elkins Is known throughout
the country as a great horsewomam
Her horses nave appeared in the most
prominent horse shows in the coun-
try. She is of a democratic nature.
and enjoys all sorts of athletics.
Academy of Medicine.
w., hs 4