EXTRAORDINARY ATTEMPT TO PREVENT A WEDDING.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume X, Issue 1240, 5 January 1883, Page 2

EXTRAORDINARY ATTEMPT TO PREVENT A WEDDING.

An extraordinary scene took place recently at the Sheffield Parish Church, when Mr E. Knowles Binns, a wellknown solicitor, and one of the representatives of Nether Hallam Ward in the Town Council, led a lady to the altar under circumstances of considerable difficulty. The ceremony was arranged to take place at half-past 9 o’clock in the morning, and at that time Mr Liebert, who had come to Sheffield in the hope of preventing the wedding, had a carriage and pair ready at the church gates, intending to carry off his sister by force rather than let the marriage proceed. The rain came down in torrents, but he did not heed the weather, and paced impatiently about, keeping a sharp look out for the wedding party. But soon after 9 o’clock Inspector Bird and about a dozen members of the borough police entered the churchyard and came on to the gates with the object of preserving order should any disturbance take place. Punctually I at 9.30 o’clock a cab drove into St ! James-street, and stopped at the church gates. Out of the vehicle stepped Dr. Spowart, a local medical man, and on his arm leaned Mrs Milne, the intended bride. As soon as she alighted her brother stepped forward, seized her by the arm, and said. “Ada, Ada, come along with me but she refused, and clung to Dr. Spowart, the “ best man,” in a very hysterical state. The brother was held back by the

police, and the lady, accompanied bV Dr. Spowart, ran swiftly UcrosS the churchyard, fallowed by a crowd of excited Mpectators. Mr Liebert, findiiig himsblf foiled, chased his sister to the church, and seemed quite ovefcome with emotion. Dr. Spowart took the lady into the vestry, where shb wafi shortly afterwards joined by Mr Binns,■ who, although father pale, seemed theV least Concerned of the party. The brother appeared half stunned with the turn things had taken) and leaded with his head in his hands BgAifist. A pew. But whpri hili sister and Mr Hinn appeared at the altar, And the Service had gone on to the pIAdC where the clergymad Says i “ If any one can show just cause why these two should not be joined together in holy matrimony,” he stepped forWafd to the altar rails, and said, " 1 can, sir, I protest against this marriage." He then stated that the lady was not of sound urfnd •nd-nn--fitted for marriage. The vicar asked him if he had medical testimony to / the fact, and he replied that he had ( not had time to get such testimony, ndt ' could produce. The ViCar skid Mf. Binns nAd three medical certificate! showing that the lady was of sound mind, and said he was afraid the bro- ' ther’s objection was invalid. Mr. Liebert said Mr. Binns and acted in an underhand manner, and this was his only chance of saving his sister from a tearful Mr. Birtttl , had even refused to make a marriage : settlement Upon her. The vicar said . he was placed in a very awkward posi- . tion. Mr. Binns said he was not ' going to discuss the question of the settlement with Mr. Liebert, and he asked the (vicar to proceed with the i ceremony. The vicar: Do you insist ' on that ? Mr. Binns t I do. sir, And . the lady also insists. The vicaf took the lady aside, and also consulted with a solicitor, after which he said he was , afraid the ceremony must proceed, and . as both Mr. Binns and the lady insisted upon it, the ceremony was concluded. Mr. Liebert shed tears on

finding he could not stop the wedding; and said he had taken every advice ne could and filed a petition to lave hit sister from what he called " this fearful marriage.’ The lady is 80 years of age and the bridegroom 85. It appears that Mr Binns made the acquaintance of the lady through the medium of the " Matrimonial News,” in which a Mrs Milne advertised for A husband. A correspondence followed, and in spite of her brother’s energetic effort, it has culminated in marriage. Mrs Binns, as she will now be called, has £lB,OOO in Consols, which passed absolutely to her husband. Arter a first interruption to the marriage the lady took up her residence in a convent at Folkestone, she being a Roman Catholic. Tiring of this life she left the institution, came to London, and from thence informed the Lady Superior that she had met with a gentleman who was going to marry her. She then proceeded to Sheffield, where she took up her quarters at the Royal Victoria Station, giving the name of Scott, of New York. When Mr Liebert heard that his sister had proceeded to Sheffield and that arrangements were being made for marriage at St. Mary’s Roniau Catholic Church be waited upon the Rev. Canon Waisham, and afterwards his solicitor had an interview with the Bishop of Leeds who, after hearing the facts, declined to grant the necessary dispensation; Canon Blakeney was also waited on by legal representing the brother, but they were unable to produce any evidence to rebut medical certificates; produced by Mr Binns; that the lady was now of sound mind | and Canon Blakeney states that he had no option but to comply with the request to grant a license. Prior to the ceremony he advised the lady to consult her brother's wishes and insist upon settlements, but she declined to do so, and during the brief consultation with Canon Blakeney and her solicitor, after her brother had objected to the ceremony being proceeded with, she repeated her declaration, and insisted on the ceremony being concluded.

Mr and Mrs Binns left Sheffield on Wednesday for their honeymoon, which will be spent in London and Paris. It is stated that should Mr Liebert have attempted to carry off his sister before the ceremony, and have been successful, she would have been driven to Chesterfield or Barns ley, and detained until an injunction could have been obtained in London restraining the marriage.