The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1915-04-12
Authorities and Charity Bu-
= reau Seek Annulment of
Marriage Performed With
Mothers Consent.
GETS SCHOOL DATA
Melpolder Declares Mary
Murphy Not Seventeen as
Woman Said to Obtain Lii
cense in Preble.

Details OF the marriage of a 12-year-
old girl, Mary Murphy and twenty-six
year old Harrison Tacoma, were hand
ed: to the president of the board Of
children's guardians today for investi-
cation.
The complete information was Sc
cured by Secretary Melpolder of the
Central Charity bureau from north end
citizens who are In arms over the
marriage. Police and Prosecutor Rel
Ter have been apprized of the facts
and are conducting investigations but
are not ready to make arrests
The girl is in the Sixth grade at
Whitewater school, She has been abb
sent since February Is on a physi-
ian's excuse. She is the daughter of
Nick and Mamie Murphy, 1915 North
Sixteenth street, the former an Irish.
Italian born in Naples. Tacoma is the
son of "Frenchie" Fransisco Tacoma,
400 North J street, political boss of
most of the Italian population Of Rich
mond and Wayne township.
Woman Gives Consent.
The child was taken to Eaton by
Mrs. Murphy last Tuesday with the
consent of Mr.. Murphy. The marriage
told that the girl was seventeen years
old and a resident of Washington
township, Preble county, Ohio by Mrs
Murphy who signed the license appli-
cation to signify her consent
Mrs Murphy has a record at the
Central bureau in which she gave her
daughters age on December Fl, as IL
years and that of her son Charles as
ten years.
School records were traced back as
far as the term ending in February,
1911. when the girls age was given
as eight years. In school enumeration
records. the date of birth is given as
May 30, 1902, which would make the
child thirteen years old at the end of
next month.
The case was brought to light We'd
nesday afternoon when north end
citizens made complaint. Secretary
Melpolder started his investigation
Thursday morning.
Saturday the police were sent to the
home of Mrs. Murphy where the new
ly married couple is making a home.
They had no warrant for the arrest
and refused to detain either of the two
without proper papers.
Tacoma Prevents Attack.
Mrs. Gambler, who accompanied
Patrol Driver Wenger to the home, re-
NAMED while Wenger returned to the
prosecutors office. While Mrs. Cand-
Ter was left alone with her Mrs.
Murphy secured a butcher knife but
was restrained by Harrison Tacoma
She then became hysterical while the
child huddled in the arms of the
father
Mrs. Murphy declared Mary was
seventeen years old. Mrs Wardlow,
Mrs. Murphy's mother who makes her
was thirteen and would be fourteen
years old May 80.
Harrison is fine young fellow
Mrs. Murphy said Il am glad my
daughter is married to him. He will
make a good husband"
The girl looks more than twelve
years old but does not appear to be
seventeen years old. Tacoma is big
muscular Italian.
The board of children's guardians
by the president, Fred White, will take
up the matter of the annulment OF
the marriage with Preble county
authorities tomorrow The girl was
taken to physician and declared i'm
mature and the physician expressed
the opinion that permanent injuries
may result from the union unless some
action is taken.
Prosecutor Keller said he is moi
ready to take criminal action in the
case as yet and none will be taken un
less the girls birth record is secured
A telegram was sent to Indianapolis
| this afternoon. asking for the state
| hoard of health record of thu birth