Evening Republican, Volume 15, Number 4, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 5 January 1911 — Parsons and Squires in Wedding War [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

Parsons and Squires in Wedding War

LOUISVILLE. KY.—A unique “marrying war” is now on at Jeffersonville. Ind., the city Just across the Ohio river, where. It is said, more couples have wedded than any other town in the United States. For many years the magistrates have, with the help of runners or solicitors, performed the wedding ceremony for practically every eloping couple that has gone to the Gretna Green to dodge church weddings or the wrath of parents. I The cause of the marrying war was a resolution adopted by the squires a short time ago to the effect that the runners should be dispensed with. Heretofore the runners have met all couples at the trains and boats for the purposes of escorting them to some particular magls trate, who after tying the matrimonial knot, would divide the fee with the man who brought the couple. Following the adoption of the resolution doing away with the runnera, this body of hustlers held a meeting and decided that they would work for

the pastors of Jeffersonville Instead of seeking other employment. Ab a result the pastors did a thriving business, while the magistrates waited patiently for couples that never came. The pastors divided fees and got the business. Finding that without the runners business was at a standstill, the squires met and sent a committee to the pastors, stating that if the pastors 414 not step dividing fees with runnera each magistrate would again employ runners and take the “trade” from the clergymen. The pastors refused to heed the request and Immediately the magistrates employed two runners each and the war was on. The man who Is regarded as the leader of the marrying Justices Is James S. Keigwin, recently elected to succeed his father-ln-law, Benjamin Nixon, as justice of the peace. Kelgwln’s prestige la Inherited, his father-in-law and father, Ephraim Keigwin, having held the office to which he succeeds for 26 years. It Is said that the two predecessors of Squire Keigwin have married 7,600 couples and now the sons and daughters of the former elopers are coming here and they ask for Kelgwln’s office when accosted by runners. It is of record that the Kelgwlns have received all sorts of fees, ranging from a hand of tobacco or a pocket knife to SIOO cash.