Hedrick/Knisley Elopement

Washington Court House Cyclone and Fayette Republican, Washington Courthouse, Fayette Co OH; 07 Sep 1899

=================================================================================================

OHGenWeb NOTICE: In keeping with our policy of providing free information on the Internet, data may be used by non-commercial entities, as long as this message remains on all copied material. These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or for presentation by other persons or organizations.

Persons or organizations desiring to use this material for purposes other than stated above must obtain the written consent of the file contributor. 

This file was contributed for use in the OHGenWeb Ross County by: Sandy Holladay

=================================================================================================

Mr. Robert Knisley, and Miss Nellie Hedrick, of South Salem.
Her Mother Objected, and tried to prevent the Ceremony.

Despite maternal objection, two hearts were made to beat as one at Chillicothe Monday when Squire Harry Rector, of that place united in the holy bonds of matrimony, Mr. Robert Knisely, a promising young Buckskin Township farmer, and Miss Nellie Hedrick, one South Salem's most charming and accomplished belles.

Mr. Knisley had long aspired to the hand of the fair Nellie, but her mother strenuously objected to his suit, and her objections were reinforced by those of the young lady's grandmother. Their principal objection seems to have been based on the fact that Robert is afflicted with a dearth of earthly possessions. This was no insurmountable obstacle in their eyes, but it cut no lee with the young lady. She returned Robert's love with an ardor equal to his own, and failing to obtain the consent of her mother to their union, the young couple decided to take matters in their own hands, and Sunday evening eloped to Chillicothe, with the result that they are now happily wedded.

The young lady's mother early became aware of their intentions, and accompanied by the grandmother, hastened to the Probate Judge's office with some dim feminine idea of, by some means, preventing the union; but as the young lady was of age, her efforts were in vain. She was in the office when her prospective son-in-law appeared to secure the license, and the Klondike face with which she greeted him caused hoar frost to gather on the Judge's luxuriant whiskers; but it failed to move the young man or change his resolution. Her storming, tears and pleadings were alike in vain, and the Justice preceded with the ceremony and pronounced them man and wife.

After the ceremony, the bride broke down and mingled her tears with those of the two elder ladies. The groom made a fruitless effort to stop the flow, but it was unavailing, and for some ten minutes the weeping trio were an object of curiosity to the spectators.

As the mother and grandmother passed out of the office, the former remarked bitterly to her daughter: "You'll be sorry for this before you die!" But it is to be hoped that the mother's prediction, like those of the weatherman, will prove untrue.

The incident created quite a stir in the community where the young people reside, though the event was not wholly unexpected by the knowing ones who saw whither matters were drift and as "all the world loves a lover", sympathy of almost the entire community is with the young people.

Although the groom is not the possessor of broad lands or blocks of trust stock, he is a manly young fellow and has all the essentials necessary to success, and the union will no doubt prove a happy one.

It is learned that the mother has since forgiven the runaways and they have been welcomed home.