AN IMPECUNIOUS BRIDEGROOM.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2146, 23 March 1908, Page 1

AN IMPECUNIOUS BRIDEGROOM.

Tho annulment of the marriage of the Earl of Yarmouth (son of the .Marquis of Hertford) with Alice Thaw, sister of Henry Thaw (defendant in the New York sensational murder trial), has brought to light the story that the earl was arrested for debt in Pittsburg on his wedding day, April 27, 1903. Ho was seized under an old English debtor's law, yet in vogue in Pennsylvania, anil kept a prisoner in the fashionable Hotel SehenIcy two and a half hours while- the wedding guests waited at the church and an English barrister raced about trying to raise- 4500d015. Magistrate James V. McMastcrs. of Pittsburg, issued the process, and his constable, AY. J. Morris, held up the Thaw-Yar-mouth wedding by kidnapping the groom until lie should settle a debt owed to a certain person in London, who had cunningly transferred the account to a firm of Pittsburg attorneys. Under the law, none but the high constable himself could seize the debtor. Yarmouth had just completed his deal with the- Thaws, whereby he is said to have received 1,000,000 dol. in convertible bonds, but no ready cash to carry out the programme to marry Alice Thaw. He was being dressed for tliei wedding when arrested.

Soon Yarmouth, in his glad wedding garments, came out of the elevator with his English barrister. Morris who was being assisted by constable AY. J. Barry, made a dash for the pair. “You are the Earl of Yarmouth, I believe,” said Morris. “I’ve got an attachment for your body. Its a case of debt, a little matter of 4500 dol., which I must collect here and now.” “Oh, I thought it was serious, don’t you ‘know,” drawled Yarmouth, as ho started for the door. “And it is serious, very serious,” said Morris, as he grasped the earl by the shoulder, spinning him around. “Via will settle this matter or go to gaol.” “■Yarmouth still didn’t think it serious.” said Constable Morris, “hut his attorneys, who evidently knew all about it, did, and told him to stop swearing. They had a little- confab, aud then Barry and myself took charge of the earl, while the barristers and some messengers started out to raise Hie- money. AA’c had two bad hours with the earl, but at tlio end of that time back came l the attorney with a cheque written by one of the Thaw family.”