Youth Elopes With Girl of Fifteen
Couple Wire Their Parents From
Niagara Falls
Tell of Their Wedding
Margaret Stoddard, Girl Student
in the Technical High School,
Marries William J. Thorpe, Aged 21
Miss Margaret Stoddard, 15 years old, a student in the Technical High School, and William J. Thorpe, but six years her senior, eloped to Niagara Falls, Ont. and were married yesterday.
The parents and friends of the Bride & Groom did not learn of the marriage until last evening when the young couple telegraphed the Bride's parents Mr & Mrs. John H. Stoddard at No. 401 North Lowell Street, announcing their marriage & happiness. Both escaped from their homes early this morning and left for Niagara Falls.
Thorpe lives with his aunt, Mrs. Hall, at No. 206 Bryant Ave & this morning announced his intentions of visiting his parents in Oswego County. The announcement came as a surprise to his relatives as they had not heard him speak of going before, but little was thought of his intentions.
Mrs. Thorpe was equally successful in escaping and left before the family had arisen this morning, stating that she was going to work in a store downtown during the day & would be back about 9 o'clock last night. Her parents did not suspect that the attentions of young Thorpe would terminate so soon and were somewhat displeased when the announcement was first read.
One of Seven Children.
Mrs. Thorpe is one of seven children of Mr. & Mrs. Stoddard and she has been keeping company with young Thorpe for some time. The Bridegroom had often spoken of marrying the girl to her mother and Mrs. Stoddard had always replied that he could have the other six with Margaret any time.
Yesterday the young couple took the mother at her word, but failed to give her serious notice of their intentions. When a Reporter called the Stoddard home last night the children rushed out, calling him "Billy" & were disappointed when they found it was only somebody else.
A telegram arrived about 9 o'clock in which the message told the story. "Married Today, are having a good time", was what it said and bore the date line from Elmira, to which city it was supposed the couple went to visit the groom's relatives after their marriage at Niagara Falls.
Mrs. Thorpe is well known at Technical High School and is one of the school's prominent pupils. She has been in the school but a short time. The Groom is employed at the McMillian Book Company, No. 502 East Water Street and is well known & popular.
|