Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1919-05-12
MARY MEYER MARRIED BUT TWO
TRIALS EsrRANoE THE
Husband.
OTHER sUlroR kEEPs
VIGIL OVER YOUNG BRIDE
Alvin Bennett Apparently TriunPhsd
Over Obadiah Trusx Fer the Girl's
Hand and Minister United Thorn in
Holy Bsnds-Twe Charges Of Per.
jury Entered Against Husband.

Usage. May 1.-THE Mitchell Coun-
ty Press this week prints. the follow
ing:
1.-THE perjury case which was IN
ished in the local court last week ex-
cited as much interest as any case has
for long time The story of the facts
leading up to the case. brought out in
the testimony, IL altogether an unusual
one. full of rather wild romance. Had
It Ill not actually occurred. one might
easily declare that such a thing could
not occur in real life.
The foundation of the case rests
on the marriage here. in May, 1918. OF
Mary Meyer and Alvin Bennett. both Of
Butler county, down near Allison. The
allegation Of the plaintiff was that M.
a. Bennett, father OF Alvin Bennett,
committed perjury when he swore to
the girls age as Is years. The allega-
ton failed, however, as the jury, after
being out thirty minutes, brought in
verdict Of acquittal.
Details of the Romance.
Much of the interesting part Of
the story antedates the wedding, and
concerns the circumstances leading up
to the marriage. 1t seems that the girl
in question had been engaged for abont
year to an Obadiah TruaN, boy OF
the same neighborhood, when she was
engaged as house maid for Mrs. Frank
Bennett. A day or so afterward, she
met Alvin Bennett, brother of Frank
Bennett, who had been sent down with
some personal effects for Mrs. Frank
Bennett. He made the trip in an auto
mobile, and after he had made the ac-
quaintance of Mary Meyer. the two set
out on an automobile ride.
Apparently the young people were
mutually attracted, as they arranged
for ride the next evening, this time
with a horse and buggy. They re-
NAMED out late and were upbraided
by the Bennets for not getting in
earlier.
Rios Meet in Roadway.
About the next night Mary wanted
to go to her home on an errand. Ben
net arranged to convey her by horse
drawn vehicle, and her fiance Truax,
also arranged to come up and get her.
but it is presumed that Mary didn't
5 know Of his plans. THE two rigs met
on the road, but Truax failed to rec
ognize his girl until after he had ar
rived at the Bennett home and found
that she had gone with Alvin Bennett.
He then started back, wrathfully, and
met them in the road again. There was
a bit of horse running and maneuVcr-
ing. and finally initiating Ben Hur In
tfle chariot race, TruaX entangled
wheel Of the Bennett buggy. A stop
was necessitated, : and while Bennett
was getting his buggy into going con-
dition again the redoutable Obadiah
got the girl into his own buggy aud
drove off triumphant to the Bennett
home. Alvin evidently considered dis
erection the better part Of valor, and
relinquished the field for the time
being.
Mary Flses 70 Bsnnsts.
THE next day Truax came up 10
the Frank Bennett home again 10
see Mary. He declared the surround
inxs unsafe for her and insisted on an
immediate marriage. Evidently she
demurred, and then fled to the elder
Bennett residence. mile away, where
Alvin was. It was apparent that Alvin
had carried this day, and 1t was
Obadiai,'s turn to seek reorganfza-
ton OF forces. This he apparently
had enscted the next day in a visit,
by his father, to the elder Bennett
home, in quest of the girl. Mary was
not available, however, and he was
obliged to return and report her miss
Ing.
About the next day, to clinch their
temporary victory. the Bennets set out
in search of O license and a preacher