Person:Emma Baxter (1)

Northfield Rice Co. Jour. 04 May 1882 3:4 MOCK MARRIAGE Pioneer Press April 27

  Yesterday morning Detective Hoy (?) and Capt. Berry arrested a young man named Wright Patten on a telegram forwarded by Chief of Police Shipley of Faribault. The history of the case can be briefly given as follows: Miss Emma Baxter, formerly residing in Dodge Center, but now of Dundas (?), Rice County, states that Patten became acquainted with her in March last, and that on the pretense that he wanted to marry her induced her to accompany him to Northfield. Here, it is said, he hired a horse jockey for $25 to play the part of a minister, and the ostensible ceremony was performed by the equine artist in the presence of a Mr. and Mrs. Miller, who keep a boarding house at Northfield, as witnesses. Patten lived with Miss Baxter at Northfield for five days, and then deserted her, after which she returned to friends residing at Millersburg, in Rice county, where she still remains. Ascertaining subsequently that a gross deception had been practiced upon her, she placed the matter in the hands of an attorney named Huntington, at whose instance the arrest was made yesterday morning, as stated above. He is also charged with marrying three other women under similar circumstances.
                  THE OTHER SIDE
  Chief Shipley of Faribault arrived last evening and will take Patten back with him this morning. Wishing to obtain the other side of the story, a reporter called on Patten last evening and found the opposite of a professional masher in a tall young man of ordinary appearance and gentle speech. Patten says he came to Minneapolis about two weeks ago, and first worked for Dr. Tyford, a veterinary surgeon, but for the preceding two days had been in the employ of Mr. Mattison, of the city omnibus line. He frankly said that he had promised to marry Miss Baxter and intended to do so next fall, but flatly denies that any marriage, false or otherwise, has been performed. He adds, however, that since his emgagement he had heard some remarks about Miss Baxter's past career which might induce him to withdraw his offer and leave her severely alone hererafter. As all the facts are to be judicially investigated, the brief outline of the case above given must suffice for the present.
                  BOTH SIDES.

Faribault Democrat.

  Chief Shipley returned to Faribault with Patten, and he is now in jail awaiting trial that has been set for Wednesday of next week. Mr. Patten states that he is ready to marry the girl, and she has been so informed. The girl does not claim that a mock marriage took place, but says that she lived with Patten four days in Northfield, and when he left her it was to get a marriage certificate and she hasn't seen him since.
  [LATER -- The parties interested agreed on Tuesday to settle, by being married. The ceremony was performed  by Justice Hunter. The wedding presents consisted of a quantity of good advice by Justice Hunter, and a marriage certificate by Clerk Palmer.

(obtained copy of this article from City of Northfield Public Library)

1. ↑ Minnesota Territorial & State Censuses, 1849-1905.

   Alpheus BAXTER family, 1865 MN Census, Roll: MNSC_2, family 17, lines 32-37; Alpheus Baxter, Catharine, Abram, Charlotte, Oren W, & Emma.

2. ↑ 1870 US Federal Census.

   Forest Twp, Rice County, Minnesota, Series: M593 Roll 2009 Part 2 Page 405, Alphus Baxter family, Pages 9 & 10, family # 71.