MARRIAGE BY LOT.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume XVIII, Issue 2419, 30 April 1874, Page 2

MARRIAGE BY LOT.

An interesting incident occurred the other day at Hollandtown, in Wisconsin, when no fewer than eleven widows were disposed of in marriage by lot. The facts of the case, accord ing to a report from the committee who arranged the affair, published by the ' Green Bay Advocate,' are as follows : — " It seems that there were living in Hollandtown eleven widows and twelve widowers. It was thought by 'society' in that place that it would be an economy to have them married, and it was at first proposed that eleven of the widowers should marry the disconsolate relics, but on further ■ consideration it was decided that as them , was one more widower than there were widows, it would only be fair fco dispose of the widows by lot. The deliberations of the committee lasted for one hour, duriug which time, it is stated, there was much commotion among the widows, and the widowers appeared restless and uneasy. With a view, therefore, of shortening the period of suspense, 'the names of all the widows,' says the report, 'were placed at orne in a box as likewise the names of the widowers.' The drawing. ; took place at 5 p.m. on Monday, the Bth ult., when it was decided that Mr R. Men ton should marry Mrs de Brain, Mr M. Menten Mrs Kink, Mr Bode Mrs Vendenberg, Mr Furstenberg Mrs Kersten, Mr Wessenberg Mrs Wild, Mr Yerkullen. Mis Perenboom, Mr Weyenberg - Mrs Heesaker, Mr J. Kobussen Mrs Tillman, Mr L. Tenrusen, Mrs Van Doren, Mr R. Herremans Mrs Rolf, and. „ M r Soere »Mr.s Vrn BldemerT TKe'ivvelftn" "" widower, Mr D. EL Peutei'man, showed; ; unbecoming signs of joy at what he irreverently termed his -escape'; but hia mirth was of short duration, for the committee are advertising far and near that if there are any widows in neighbourin g towns who would like to take Mr Peuterman, application can be made to Peter Keraten, .president, and there is soitfe talk of their sitting en permaneace until they have found him a partner.