HEIRESS WEDS POLICEMAN

Waikato Times, Volume 93, Issue 14538, 9 December 1920, Page 9

HEIRESS WEDS POLICEMAN

FAMILY DOES NOT OBJECT. A romance that interested two widely different classes of New Yorkers—society fur one, and the Police Department for another —came to light (says the New York World) when il became known that Miss Louise Oonesla Beaver Webb, of No. 31, Park Avenue, had become Hie bride of Mounled Patrolman Thomas J. Leonard, of Hie Park Squad. Tlie cop—“ Smiling Tom,’’ as ids companions call him —and ids bride, who is a horsewoman of exceptional ability and enthusiasm, are on their honeymoon at a place which neither Hie Wehh family nor Officer Leonard’s best friends would reveal. All those who know Leonard seemed delighted at the news, for he is a handsome, cultured chap, with a splendid police record and intensely popular on the force. Bride’s Parents Approve. Although Hie Webb family was not disposed to say much about the marriage, Ihc bride’s mother declared it had met her approval and that oi her husband, since it was they who made a public announcement of it. The ceremony was performed at Hie Roman Catholic Church of I lie Ascension in West 1071 h Street. While the wedding was not an elopemenl, it was kept private to Hie point of secrecy. Policeman Leonard and .Miss Wehh got Iheir license Just as Hie bureau was about to close for the day, (heir idea being to avoid possible pubb ily. li. bride’s parents arc Mr and Mrs J. Bcavor Webb. Their residence is a while marble house on Ihc east side of Park Avenue, near 3Glh Street. Mr Wehh is a naval architect and a leader of his profession. lie designed the famous steam yacht Corsair for Ihc elder J. Picrpont Morgan, and was an intimate friend of that financier. Mr Morgan's will remembered Mr Webb to Hie extent ot 250,000 dollars. He also designed Hie Gencsta and Galatea, yachts which challenged for Hie American Cup. lie was horn in Ireland, and lived there when these yachts were built. Mrs Webb was Miss Alice May, ot Washington, a kinswoman of Charles He L. Oelrichs, Mrs William .lay, ami other well-known persons in New York. Her father, 100, was a close friend of Mr Morgan. Romance of Central Park. Miss Webb was born at Bar Harbour, Me. in the marriage license application she gave her ago as 28 years. Officer Leonard is 39 and a native ot Mongaup Valley, N.Y. This is Ids best marriage, as well as his bride’s. “A romance of Central Park’' would lie a filling 'title for Hie story that had its happy ending tho other week. About eight years ago Miss Webb, as a member of a riding class, began to canter llirmigli the bridle paths of the big pleasure ground. There always is a sort of camaraderie belwecn those who ride in Hie park and Hie mounled policemen who pa I rot the roads, and II was not long before Miss Wehh gave Leonard a smiling “Good morning, oillcer,” as she passed. But il was “Good morning, Tom,” later, and for five years the goodlooking friends say, lie and Miss Wehh have been very good friends, and Hie course of ids duly daily took Idm along the paths she was wont to pursue. Both are splendid riders. During his years of service in tho park, Leonard slopped more than 150 runaways, according to Police Department records, and in a goodly number of these cases lives were at stake. He and ids line bay horse Bingo took rescues as a matter of course, they figured" in so many. Leonard is a sixfooter, straight as a drill sergeant, and a man of education and polish. Bride a Horae Show Star, When he went to the theatre with Miss Wehh he wore his evening clothes as smartly as ho wore ids uniform by day. He is, in fact, what is known as “a fine figure of a man.” lie lias been making his home at No. 12, West 00Hi Street, but lie and ids bride will occupy an apartment elsewhere upon their return. Miss Wehh lias long been known as one of the most expert of Horse Show equestriennes. She never showed horses on tier own account, but rode for many leading exhibitors. A few years ago, riding .iulin A. Hartford’s horse Gossip, she won the open championship, the highest honour of Hie show. Skating was another sport which helped along in Hie romance of the heiress and Hie cop. Both were experts on tile sleel runners, and were familiar figures together, not only on Hie park lakes, but also on the surfaces of Hie rinks. Few persons know Miss Webb's companion was a park policeman. Leonard has been 17 years with Hie force, most of that lime in the ! mounted division. When he applied for leave of absence Hie day before he was married it was on the excuse ; of “illness.” He kepi his secret so well, that only two or three of his best friends knew why lie was away.