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andwasnew* .ti on. it 60 Ho andSun-/bout it in, trip, g- atOHOtispi-said,him* the,, long-trip, you with ve a t of nuchthe n. In aken (liein ai-l!k*. Of thanthemdl-^lUSt-5rad-One;mani old close5 US-lings were jates tling nets* g, Iand otlng a for was and te I ■milk r all, but thelife.1 the L pa-poterhave to beitr* ex-barnwas'6 to• tat. man j 3ameold, touse If atrowngive 1 fe-h alfcmTreirselfherejring?5he-ton’#'I • ;oi licenses aireaay ooiamea in man*t, hustled more modestly ‘but none the leas, diligently for business, ■ The records of the county court for any summer month [n a dozen years past will bear witness to both the energy of the runner, his em-player justice, and the number of young people from other towns and States who have dated the beginning of their married life from their visit to Jeffersonville.System Bred Evils-Such a system was bound to breed evils. Contributing* to the system were not only the petty justices, but there were clergy-men who found It profitable to perform these hurried marriages, many of them of the runaway variety. The local douncil cast about for further means of mitigating the trouble. There was no way of stopping- young- people from getting married if they were of age and had the necessary permit, The accommodating' justices usually had a, quantity of licenses in blank in stock in their offices. It was necessary only, therefore, for the intending: bride and groom to declare they had attained their majority. This appeared to be a minor matter. At any rate, it is not of record that any justice troubled himself to inquire Into the facfts If he doufbted the statement of the young- couple before him.Many of these marriages were legiti-*mate in every particular; but too many of them were the fruits of a sudden notion to wed or the culmination of an elopement* Now and then a telegram from parents would cut short the proposed leap into the matrimonial realm. Usually the young people were successful in keeping their purpose a secret until it was too late to interfere with their plans/First Efforts Not Successful.finally, about five years ago, a deter-mined effort ms made to do away with these easy marriages altogether, The local papers began the agitation. It was taken up by the State press, and some amendments to the marriage laws were made, rendering It more difficult to obtain marriage licenses. Still the business flourished, for the justices and their run-, lifers. Then public opinion accomplished what legislation was unable to thojv oughly bring about—®, healthy respect for the Solemnity of the marital engagement.The justices who derived most of their income from wedding fees were given to understand that unless they got out of the quicfk-marriage business they would not be re-eleoted. This had its effect upOn some of them; those who persisted in bidding for services found themselves without an office at -the expiration o$ their terms. The ministers who had been in the ha*it of asking no useless questions began to think better of it, and it Is only fair to add: that ^vith but one or two exceptions thee gentlemen have satisfied everybody that if*any violence was done to established customs it was due to an error of judgment rather than a desire to profit financially.The “Barker’s” Occupation! lt;£one.At any rate, the game has played out In Jeffersonville, It is not to be expected, of course, that no more marriages will be solemnized in this flourishing town of f*0dQ people; but it is‘altogether likely that hereafter weddings will be performed with more regard for decorum and the spirit ot« the law. And the barker, who was wotft to meet boat and railroad trstfn and hustle young people to the marriage altar, will be mtssinsr*The end came when the ministers of the town agreed to perform no marriages for strangers unless indisputable evidence was at hand that there was nothing irregular about the proceeding;1 that the couple seeking their service were of age, had obtained the requisite permit in a legal man* ner, and that* aboye all, there was no legal1 Impediment to their unionsThe justice* who made it their chief business to xmtry strangers .Have for th* most part heea succeeded by inenwjth a-heiltbi^ :*iotiqxi at their duty/tor society. TheStatW press haa dommended the^tter .-or^r ;q£.. thini^s and apiarently ev i3 happy;' except the ‘‘runners/' an4 hps^ yppng peopjle .who.• -V • ''A--' lt;. • •. jJ.'’•'. ’■ ’■ .■?• ■-' v.,-.;i/ ;;;1 .VS r 'I» \ i « i » . * • . *•. . • *'», * ’ \ , '• f- . r ‘ v■ v. •, '4'v V •- .. •: W:V?'/V.'iS-i,agitation had its beginning in the ftagrant cpstoms which’ were in vogue In this town for years, and which have furnished the newspapers of the West with a never ending theme for editorial discussion.A Bankrupt Community.■Speaking of Michigan City, it has now something more than Its marriage Industry and State's prison to distinguish it. It would have been sold at auction a short time ago had the officer who went to levy upon it found anything tangible to clap his hands upon. A year or two ago one of the town’s pretty girls fell upon a pavement. She was badly us^d up. but recovered sufficiently to interview a lawyer. He told her she had a good claim for damages. The sidewalk was in a defective condition. She brought suit, A sympathetic jury gave a verdict for $11,000.Immediately the town went broke. There was not money enough to pay current expenses, let alone this damage suit claim. Matters went along; the.girl could not get her money In the ordinary processes of things. She swore out an' attachment, on the advice of her lawyer. The constable found nothin# to levy on. IHven the city hall was private property. It was a condition which confronted the solons of the place. The claim is not yet paidr hut it will be, interest and all, when the new tax levy brings in'an amount sufficient to discharge the debt.Michigan City built upon sand dunes, every now nml then a big slice of the town finds, itself in son:-e other ward. The lake front is ever changing. But the town waxes in population and business importance. It is One of the pleasure spots in Indiana, and as the only town having a harbor, it answers admirably the purposes of summer resort.COLLEGE FOR SALE.Virginia Institution, Which Clears $5ooo a Year, on the Market.Prom tile New York »Stin,Any one who wants to buy a college, which the present owner says will pay almost 60 per cent, a year on the investment, should wrSle to F. P. Keppel, secretary o^ Columbia University, New York. Mr. Keppel has received the following letter:- College, Vt—-•, A. B., A* M*, President,Dear Siz—Having becoma tJred ot school work,I have decided to offer th above-named institution for sale. Kttowing that you frequently have men who are looking- lor just Bach an opening, I herewith inclose a detailed description of the same. Thia year I expect to clear $5,000, and from present Indications,, the revenue will bolarger next season. Very sincerely. —-.The letterhead',Is beautifully engraved. The description just oov with adjectives of a soul-satisfying kind. Soipe bits of it are: ■ - : '- College Is situated in tbe midat of Arich, agricultural, region In the heart of tbe Great, Valley of Virginia at the fraae of the noted Blue Ridg-fc Mouatafns, on te outuktrts. of .te beautiful progressive town of ■ ■ /*The college Is connected with the town fay a brick pavement, adds the description.. It is made up of four substantial brick uiidhigs, three of which are owned by the school and the Xourth is leased on easy terms.*4The*“halls are thoroughly furnished and equipped for school work. There are fifty-five furnished dormitory rooms, five robnis-Xor servants, double parlor., large; cheerful dining room, modern kitchen and butleryj, all In excellent condition, large ceOafiy seven mmic rooms, president's; of-flea ind . fixtures (sic),, good working laboratory, gymnasium, and library;; assembly fcall», ventilated lecture and recitation rooms, with about 2,000 square feet of blackboard surface; eight lapright pianoa, five* of which are owned w the school; fiva typewriters, threfc of, w*uch are owned by the- school. • . s ' v/. The school is chartered. ,eCnd;,:maiiitafo£ a strong faculty of fourteen -£4cherci. For further information^ • addressh the president.” ' • •’ •.^he letter cbntaln^ ia sdrt of ^pareless itfterfchoiigfct In ink;, aitet' th® tinW^Ht-ing: ;^F^r at^ .will rpc^y tvf^ it-•^elt in. thfie^y^W *dr 'Xmsl.. vV^.* •‘r 7 ■ •-The; town, .accptcUig to' of:tecent date^ tehaptee uj 'tblSi^^‘po§t:.ir- ■ •i-Vl umclamb led to of th struck “He law w While that 1 manai playec the la MBei manai l# 41 him t body : est st even 1 hound 4lt;I t Marks and I cast e:town/ the ps “I a for a h5s ci box oi that i he pla much MAft do the bouse the sic.Jiandhver of the pa ‘Th€ Curios see th conee£ had r-the fti since ;MBut in the dog gc trying not in part c stood ‘‘The went c plause After handelt; earned guarai would dog.‘But my of! busine side o do.”. Of t arounlt; that n*eans and tlt; pleasa er C\ Seven 1 :10 a. r arrive m Tl Potom the At Washl places along' -glnia. steamsThe of the suited Point :case flt; resort,tionSy 1relaxa fort it this 0 Steam dally 1 . Hellene ^.nd. co with i ; tions i fot miralxxsm2y tSfeVemStreet*
Newspaper Details
Washington Post
Washington, Washington-DC, US
Sat, Mar 25, 1905
Page 41
Full Page
Clipped by
Indiana S.
IN, USA 14 Feb 2020
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