The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1922-08-07

Oiu EecOTQS nave d fascination when
they are searched, not for facts, but
to find story of the people that made
them in the days past
The old county records running back
to 1911, tell of life in the county more
than hundred years ago, to whoever
is ready, to read between the lines.
In small black book, faded ink on
paper that is becoming brittle with
age, is the record of the romances OF
the county. The first entry is that OF
the application of Ephriam Boles and
Bertha Haggatt on March II, 1911
After it is the short notation: Mar
r1ed by Judge Meek, 21st day of March,
! 1911"
Such was the record of the mar
riages of the county for some time.
the names of the parties, the date, and
! the name of the officiating person, and
the date of the marriage.
One justice of the peace, with due
disregard for the sacredness Of the
| little official form that was used al
that time, made his return for one
! license as follows:
! rs there a wretch so cold. so rude,
! So partial to single life,
! Who could have felt no gratitude
Had Heaven sent him such a wife
| do hereby certify that Samuel B.
Walling and Jane Lacey were legally
! Joined in marriage by me, on the 21st
day of September, 1926. John Fin
ley, ]. P"
Doesn't Mention Pay.
In carefully copying the return as
made, the circuit court clerk, failed tC
mention whether or not Justice Finley
received anything extra for thus per
i petuating for all time the charms OF
Jane Lacey
John Finley, the trustee. was one Of
'lndiana's earliest poets. He was once
managing editor of The Palladium, q
mayor OF Richmond, and for seyera
terms member of the state legisla
iture. The little poem was written the
same year that he was married
In those early days legal forms were
not paid great Difference, for many O
the names are still after nearly a hun
dred years. lacking official conforma
ton OF their marriage. 1t is very rar,
for license to be issued these day.
without return being made partially
because both parties have to apply
Perhaps it was the easy way that lie
enses were secured that made it pos
sible for a young buck to get one be
fore he proposed, and then if his POP
ping the question did not take. L
throw away the permit
Ministers Scarce
The very interesting fact that re
turns on the license were usual
made several days after the licens
was issued speaks not only for thai
but of the scarcity of ministers an
justices who had the authority t
marry couples.
While marriage is legal eve
though it is not reported, the circui
clerk cannot certify to the fact III
less a return is made to him VIVA
complications could develop, wer
some one at this time to contest a mai
rfage really solemnized( but not RI
poted.
Legal forms have been accused c
, rejecting the mental points of view c
! previous generations, but the form
used for wills reflect a real change
the mental point of view of the gel
: erations.
!, Instead of the formal, 81, A. B., b,
9 ing OF sound mind and disposing men
:, DRY, some of the older recorded will
: have beginning as long as the wi
itself. Witness the following frol
|, the first volume of recorded wills.
q Long Introduction
In the name of God, Amen. /, Jaco
= Little, Sr., of Wayne county and TIE
a ritory of Indiana, being weak in bod
= but of perfect mind and memory an
calling to mind the mortality of m
body and knowing it is appointed ono
for all men to die, do make and ordai
this my last will and testament. The
z principally and first of all l wou
d commit my soul into the hand of &C
4 and my body to the earth to be burie