The Bozeman courier., 1927-10-21

Butte ana Anaconda are Active IN
Strengthening Out Nuptial Tangle and
Seeing Knot Tied Again
Married twice in the same day with
out having obtained a divorce and
without having committed bigamy is
the record of Robert Malcolm Stone
and Miss MOnOna Rouse, both of Dill
lon. The second ceremony was per-
formed only after a spirited chase by
the ministed and newspaper reporters
in Butte and Anaconda, all Cooper
ating in an effort to correct a mistake
which caused the minister a lot OF
worry.
Mr.. Stone and Miss Rouse went from
Dillon to Butte to be married. They OBJ
tained license in Butte and everything
was moving smoothly to the desired con-
clusion when it was learned that the
Rev. DR.. Charles F. Chapman, rector OF
st. Johns Episcopal church, had gone
to California and that there was no sub
stitute minister for st Johns pulpit.
The bride, a devout Episcopalian
would not hear of a marriage by the
minister Of any other faith. A civil mar
riage was also out Of the question. The
nearest Episcopal minister, it was learned,
was located in Anaconda.
All marriage licenses looked alike to
the prospective bridegroom, whose ex-
perience with such documents was nil,
and the fact that the necessary bit Of
paper had been issued in Silver Bow
county, while Anaconda is in another
legal division of the state, meant moth
ing to him. He promptly solved the first
problem to appear in his marital expert
ence by suggesting the ceremony be per-
formed in the Smelter city. The bride.
also with a hazy idea of the legal for
malities, assented and the trip was made.
The minister, the Rev. A. E. Cash, was
TIrfpIr1xy n Io
couple given the ministerial blessing.
Back to Butte came the bridal pair to
celebrate a good deed we'll done.
Word Of the Butte license for an Ana
conda marriage was duly sent to Butte
Reporters were instructed to check on
the matter.
did you perform a marriage for NAL
colin Stone and Miss Rouse?" Mr.. Cash
was asked.
| ST did," he answered.
'Is it legal to perform marriage cere-
mony in Deer Lodge county on a Silver
Bow license?" inquired the reporter.
! "It is not!" exclaimed the minister
! leaping over a chair in his excitement
and darting for the door with his coat
tails flying to over take the newlyweds
The minister had assumed that thC
license had been properly issued and haC
not learned the contrary until reminded
| by the reporter. Newspaper men and
worried minister then set to work witt
might and main to locate the young PAL
who were ready to subscribe themselve
Mr.. and Mrs. Malcolm Stone on th
hotel blotter.
i A canvass Of the counties Of Silve
Bow and Deer Lodge had produced no re
suit when bright young man conceivet
the idea OF calling up mountain tnn
There the pair was found at last enjoy
ing a wedding supper with friends.
ried," suggested the reporter over tn
phone.
I'VE are already married." replied tn
; groom.
You're not" said the reporter.
If you'll come up here and tell m
that, I'll punch you in the Stats" wa
I the answer delivered in tones that sen
, up the temperature Of the telephon
! wire and burned off part of the insula
tion-or was at least hot enough to d
: so.
! BY dint Of considerable diplomacy th
: newlyweds who weren't legally wed g
, all according to the statute but who ha
. nevertheless been joined by a minister {
: the Episcopalian church, were hnau
: convinced and consented to meet th
= minister, who had hurried over frol
! Anaconda.
! The young people arrived near th
: hour Of midnight The minister hs
= come a few minutes earlier, his faC
p wearing a haggard look but his eyt
: showing that he had been relieved Of
e great dread. The party repaired to tt
= home Of friend and were married agaiI
S The doubly welded Stones are, so f,
e as known, the only Montana couple tn;
e ever ha shad the distinction of being IL
8 principals in two marriage ceremonies
a the same day. They are the only pal
It too, whose real marriage was accon
plished through the desperate efforts
} a group Of newspaper reporters.