The Sentinel=record., 1915-04-10
CUPID TRIUMPHS IN
 GRAND JURY ROOM
A PANDERlNG INDICTMENT IS THROWN OUT WHEN COUPLE
 EXPRESS DESIRE TO WED.
Members of Grand Jury Show Their Interest and Appreciation by Giving Cash as Wedding Gift.

Cupid triumphed in the grand jury room yesterday and the victory of , the mythical little god Of Love was complete.
 Through the medium of the sacred marriage vows the doors of the Gar land county jail were unlocked and an indictment charging parderiag, waich seemed a certainty, was dis oarded. It is doubtful if ever a more interesting or unique ending Of any investigation containing the amount of human interest that this case held has been a feature in any grand jury investigation in years.
 "A little over a week ago Fate Court, ney of Hornellsyille, Mo, was under surveillance by government officers, who noted that with him in Hot Springs was a young girl who, it was thought was not his wife. Iuvestiga ton proved that should the facts war rant an arrest it was not a govern ment case, and the result of the first investigation was reported to county
 
 custody. He gave his age as 25 years. The girl gave her name as Flossie Fletcher. She stated her age was IS years and that her home was in Paragould, Ark She was heli as a witness. They were unable to pro cure bail and both were incarcerated in the county ia
 The grand jury made a thorough investigation of the case Both told the same story. Much of the home life of the girl was revealed in the testimony that was given the grand jury. The girl maintained that Court ney had done more for her than her father had ever done That she loved him and that he reciprocated the feeling of devotion both willingly ad- mitted. Both denied that there had been any illicit relations between them.
 Courtney it appears, had been working in various places aud finally met Miss Fletcher. She is rather at tractive looking. He fell in love with
 
 He announced his intention of coming to Hot Springs for a course of baths. as his health was not very good lie arrived here and was able to procure various small jobs He wanted the society of Miss Fletcher He missed her. and both reached tic conclusion that if they together tried to work in Hot Springs money would be pro- cured by their combined labor to per init them to get married. lt is said that the girls father knew of his daughters intention to come here anl that he raised little or no objection All effort to get different story from them was, it is said unayailins, and yesterday they were summoned into the grand jury room.
 Courtney was asked if it was still his intention to marry Miss Fletcher and he immediately reblied in the af firmative The girl was con uite3 and she, too, was willing to marry Courtney Circuit Judge Scott Wood, after Prosecuting Attorney Witt had expressed a willingness to dismiss further proceedings against Courtney in the event that the wedding took place, was sent for to perform the ceremony, but was prevented from SD doing by an important ca that was being tried, su Justice of the Peace Tom Gladson was summoned Jus tice Gladson, owing to the number of couples he has united in wedlock, has earned the soubriquet of the marry ing justice" and he offjciated. Court ney and Miss Fletcher were marr. ed in the grand jury room with members of the nQusitorial body and Prosecu. tor Witt as witnesses.
 It was suggested that Martin A. Eisele, a member of the grand jury. say a few words to the "neWlyweds, 20 and it is doubtful if a more touching or appropriate address 10 any newly married couple has ever been deliy- cred in the court house in years than that voiced by MT Eisele yesterday. He told them that the object of the law was not to punish but Co protect society. He said that while they might have been indiscreet, their fu- ture lay before them. a future that was bright and promising and which could be made successful by mutual cooperation and continuous affection one for the other. He depicted the happiness of married life when the hearts of the husband and wife beat in unison and he portrayed the help that each could give the other in a manner that brought tears not alone to the eyes of the girl but also caused like expression of sentiment to slisten in the eyes of his colleagues