DEATHBED MARRIAGE

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXXI, Issue 18791, 28 May 1923, Page 5

DEATHBED MARRIAGE

EFFORTS TO LEGALISE IT. A WELSH ROMANCE. Received May 27, 11.5 p.m. LONDON, May 26. An effort is being made through the High Court to legalise a deathbed marriage performed under singular circumstances. Rees Rees, a young collier, received terrible injuries in a colliery accident He was taken to Swansea hospital, where he was visited daily by Florence Stevens, to whom he was betrothed. After a while she returned home, but was recalled when Rees was dying. He pleaded for marriage, but the vicar of Swansea said he would not perform the ceremony as the banns had not been published. Rev. Morgan, a non-Conformlst minister, happened to call at the hospital to see a member of his church, when Florence, running up, said: “I want you to marry me, as my lover is dying fast.” The minister procured the matron of the hospital and another witness and recited the wedding service. Rees was struggling with death, but managed to place a ring on Florence’s finger. Then he sank on his pillow, gasping: "My wife at last,” and went to sleep with the girl's hand In his. He woke an hour later, and, looking towards Florence, said. "Good-bye, wife.” He then died. The minister says he did it to make the dying man happy, believing he had power to do so, or that it could be put right afterwards. Florence says she is quite satisfied she is married, although there is no certificate. When her lover first knew his spine was broken he asked her to marry him. She replied that she would be faithful to him, even if he was a cripple for life.