"From the arms of love into the arms
of the police," might be the title of a book that William Welch
could write, were he a literary man, after the experiences of the
morning when he, his newly won bride, father-in-law and mother-in-law
formed a party that gathered about the shrine of Judge E. B. Kennedy
in the Ashland police court.
The point at issue seemed to be, should
William have his bride or shouldn't he, and the arguments presented to
the judge formed one of the most interesting cases that have been
tried here for many a day.
The story runs that William Welch and Miss
Leora Hall ran away and got married without preliminary notice or
warning. Miss Hall is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John Hall of
Thirty-first street and is about eighteen years old. William Welch is
apparently several years her senior and is the son of Mr. and Mrs.
James Welch of Greenup avenue.
Miss Hall was employed in an office down
town and it is said that when her employer returned to the office
after a short absence the other day, he found her gone. Her
mother stated this morning that the had started for work, and had
failed to come back home at the usual time. Later word was
received that she had eloped with Welch and that they had gone to
Ironton to be married.
Welch is employed at the Norfolk &
Western offices in Portsmouth as a clerk.
It is alleged that a message telling of a
sickness in the family was sent to the address in Portsmouth, a decoy
to get the daughter to return home. Welch came with her, in
haste, and he stated this morning that they arrived at the family home
on Thirty-first street, the girl rushed up on the porch and as she
arrived at the door she was hurried inside and the door closed in his
face.
Deeply stirred over this inconsiderate act
of his new relation, also, no doubt annoyed at the rude interruption
of a pleasant honeymoon, not to speak of being humiliated by the
unfriendly reception upon returning to the bosom of his family, Mr.
Welch directed his steps to the police station where he sought
recourse at the agency of the law. In other words, he swore out
a warrant for his newly-acquired father-in-law, charging him with
breach of contract.
His real motive was, of course, to regain
his bride.
The mother, in tears, told of her love for
the daughter; of how she had raised her and guided her in the right
path. She asserted that Welch might have had the parents'
consent had he "waited a while."
After hearing the pros and cons of the
delicate situation, Judge Kennedy dismissed the charge against Mr.
Hall. He, further gave the girl permission to consult with both
parties in the controversy and make up her mind whether to seek again
the home of her parents or cast her lot with her husband.
The consultation ensued: the girl going
from one to the other. She announce her intention of remaining
at her old home and would let her husband know in a few days whether
she would return to him or not.
"Next case" called the judge and
Mrs. Welch left the court room with her mother and father while her
husband climber behind the wheel of his Ford and set out presumably
for Portsmouth.
Several spectators were heard to say,
"I'd steal her if I were him."
