South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1921-12-18
LAW BANS MECCA"
FOR LOVE ELOPERS
No More Weddings Like Those
of Lane. Andrew and Silver
at Greenwich.

BOSTON. Mass. Dec. 17-Gone
are the good ( for elopers) old days
% Gretna Green. Connecticut. other
wise Greenwich
30 more may the erring husband
chatting AZ marital bonds. snatch the
hand Of a new affinity and hurry her
along % the tune Of wedding bells
that clang merrily just beyond the
line that encloses the nutmeg state.
The legislature Of connecticut has
adopted an amendment 20 the act
concerning marriage licenses. This
viii prohibit Justices Of the peace
from issuing any more certificates
20 the town clerk waving the five
day notice. under the public policy
or physical condition clause. and
where neither Of the parties making
application for license IS a resident
az the town.
Three Remarkable Cases.
Connecticut was a happy haven
for Merritt Lane, once vice chancel-
Tor Of New Jersey II enabled him
90 be married 20 two women at the
same time. legally. without the stig
ira OF bigamy or the punishment US
ually attending that plurally welded
condition
Herbert Andrews went TO Connec-
;icut too. when Mrs Maud Andrews,
wife No. / got on his nerves and he
decided 90 marry pretty young Es-
Their Tatnall. OF Pittsburg. Andrews.
in this fashion. brought a second
wife home 20 live with No. I.
Shubel X silver. church treasurer
OF New Brunswick, y. j.. followed
suit he elOped 10 Greenwich with
Adele Gouin. fair waitress, of Perth
Amboy To finance their honeymoon.
silver took" So 200 worth OF Lib
erty bonds belonging 10 the church
Of which ne was a supposed pillar.
The pair were found during their
trip through New England and
were brought back 20 familiar Jer-
sey scenes. Silver was locked up and
the new Mrs. Silver" presenting
herself under new name.
Since then the embezzler has been
sentenced for his crime. and his
second wife" says she viii await
his release, 20 take place several
years hence. The first Mrs. Silver
has sued for divorce, naming the
former waitress.
Chance 10 Investigate Now.
Now under the new law. If neither
OF the persons applying for licenses
in Connecticut IS a resident of the
town. the clerk may not issue Ii
Cense ell the fifth day following the
request. unless the judge of probate
in the district where the impending
wedding is 20 be celebrated decides
in writing rhat public policy or the
physical condition Of one Of the par
ties makes il necessary to effect the
marriage without delay.
This VIII not only end those hasty
marriages. but IL will give all con
cerned time 10 look into such pro-
posed unions. especially those which
might tend 20 duplicate the peculiar
domestic situations that have existed
in the Lane. Andrews and Silver
households.
Famous movie stars have gone TO
Connecticut 20 wed, as we'll as So
ciety men and women who wished to
avoid the fuss and ceremony attend
ant upon a previously announced.
much-garnished event.
Connecticut nevertheless. though
IL may not seem so 20 the romantic
ally inclined. is bringing her laws
nearer TO a national uniformity
Many hope that the time is not
far off when uniform marriage and
divorce laws will simplify procedure
SO that a marriage or divorce in one
state holds good throughout the
union.