NASTY REVENGE ON GENE

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 476, 4 October 1928, Page 1

NASTY REVENGE ON GENE

People Spat on Bridal Car as Pair Left Rome for North HOSTILE' DEMONSTRATION PEOPLE spat on the motor-car of Mr. and Mrs. Gene Tunney, as the newly-married pair left Rome. There was a hostile demonstration, and a section of the crowd became violent. It was the photographers’ revenge. Gene would not allow them near the ceremony, so they stirred up the trouble. (United P.A. — By Telegraph — Copyright) (Australian and N.Z. Press Association)

Reed. 10.15 a.m. Gene Tunney was married in the strictest privacy, in the presence of 20 persons, the majority of whom were friends who accompanied the hride, Miss Josephine Lauder, from America. Of two flower-filled drawing-rooms at the Hotel Russie, one was used for the civil ceremony (performed by Signor Brofferio, a Fascist leader) and the other for the religious ceremony. Tunney’s intimate friend. Monsignor Breslin, vice-rector of the American College, presided. Tunney was radiant, and Miss Lauder looked her prettiest. The bride’s mother wept when the wedding rings were exchanged. The couple de-

ROME, Wednesday. parted for a destination which was not revealed. Tunney’s bride was the subject of a hostile demonstration as the pair left by motor-car for Northern Italy. Sections of the crowd became violent, and it is reported some people spat on the car. The demonstration is alleged to have been organised by annoyed photographers and cinema people, because of Tunney’s refusal to permit photographs to be taken. Throughout the wedding, Tunney persistently refused to allow photographers to approach the scene. It is reported that he threatened to smash the camera of anyone attempting to “snap” the ceremony.