Dr. Rutherford and Miss Butman almost marriage certificate, Milan, Monroe County, Michigan Copyright © 1999 by Lenawee County Researchers. This copy contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives. USGENWEB NOTICE: In keeping with our policy of providing free information on the Internet, data may be freely used by non-commercial entities, as long as this message remains on all copied material. These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by other organizations. _____________________________________________________________________________________ From April 1989 issue Vol 2, No 5 Lenawee County Researchers newsletter: A Novel Wedding From the Michigan Expositor dated April 1, 1851, but about a little tiff that took place in Erie County, Ohio: Dr. Rutherford and Miss Butman We copy the following article and corresondence from the "Milan O. Tribune". Knowing that Dr. Rutherford has lectured in this place, and is well known to many of our citizens, also to many in different parts of the State, we have concluded to give the whole matter to our readers. A Novel Wedding Scene Our town, was not a little startled last evening by a novel and unexpected denoument of a wedding occasion. We now give a few of the leading particulars, not feeling warranted at this hour to express an opinion as to the merits or demerits of the parties. It appears the relations of intimate friendship had existed between Dr. Rutherford and Miss Butman, for some two years, which resulted in their presenting themselves at the Episcopal Church last evening, for the purpose of marriage. The first portion of the service, embracing the vows of the bridegroom, were promptly responded to by him. The convenant of the bride was then read by the Clergyman, to which she promptly responded "No!" The minister asked her if she was in earnest in what she said--"Yes, sir, and she, "he is a perjured man!" and turning around, she took a gentleman's arm and left the church. Dr. Rutherford promptly asserted his innocence of the charge she made against him. [There follows in the newspaper 2 full columns, plus over one-half of another, consisting of a letter from the bridegroom addressing the charges against him and of a letter from the bride responding to the bridegroom. This incident took up more columns and space in a newspaper in 1851 for any one article than I had seen prior to this, other than book excerpts. It would appear that the bride's jilting of her intended created quite the stir in 1851. The bride claims the bridegroom had another sweetheart.]