Rensselaer Republican, Volume 19, Number 52, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 1 September 1887 — THOROUGHLY MIXED. [ARTICLE]

THOROUGHLY MIXED.

Five Sons of One Family Marry Five Daguhfers of Another. Fayetteville, Ga., dispatch Cincinnati Enquirer There was performed here yesterday, before Justice Tomlin, a marriage ceremony which is the culmination-of a remarkable series of matrimonial ventures. The parties thereto were Mr. Nathan Starnes and Miss Eliza Hamby. In cozy farm-houses, on opposite sides of the Jonesboro road, near the Clayton-County line, lived the two families of Hamby and Starnes. For thirty years they have been prominent citizens of that section. To each came an increase of family equally proportioned, save that the Hambys were all boys and the Starnes all girls. The children, ten in number, lived together almost as one family, and it was the most natural thing in the world for the oldest Mr. Hamby and the first-born Miss Starnes to unite in wedlock. This marriage was followed by the next couple, and so on down to the fourth, when Mr. Starnes violently protested against letting the Hambys have any more of his daughters. The marriage was permitted to take place, however, but with the permission was registered a vow that it should be the last tie between the families. Two weeks ago Hamby pere passed away, and during the period of mourning greater intimacy sprang up between the families. This was a fatal step for Mr. Starnes, because on Friday night he missed his youngest and only single daughter, only to learn that the youngest of the Hambys was also missing. Then it was the truth flashed upon his mind. Mounting bis horse he rode over the neighborhood in search of the pair. When he struck the trail it was well on to daylight Saturday. Following it, he reached the house of a Justice of the Peace near Jonesboro, and from that gentleman learned that he had married the young couple, and that they could he found in town. The interview when he found them was a. stormy one, and he left them in a rage. Reaching home he had his buggy hitched up and driven in front of the widow’s house. “Come, old lady,” said he, “let us finish up this business. If the Hambys are to have the whole family I-might as well know it at once.” The astonished widow did not know what to make of him. “Get in,” said he, pushing her by the shoulder. ‘’Get in the buggy at once. There must be no more fooling about this matter.” Pushing her by main force into his buggy, Starnes took his seat by her, and, whipping up his horse, was in ’Squire Tomjin’s parlor before the widow knew what was the matter. “Marry us quick,” was Starnes’ emphatic request. “I am going to put an end to this excitement around my place. I reckon the will be satisfied then.” The couple are now established in the Starnes house, and people from far and near are calling on them.