from The Lynn Item
January 4, 1951
SAUGUS, LYNN AND COURT OFFICIALS AID WEDDING
Young Couple Get Married After Three-Hour Chase For License
Everybody loves a lover, and two of them in trouble elicited not only affection, but prompt cooperation from a Lynn judge, court official and physician, a Saugus priest, town official and members of the police department.
The various Lynn and Saugus officials never dreamed they would be playing Cupid’s helper at 6:30 last night when Mariette Maes, 18, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Leander Maes of 57 Cleveland Avenue, Saugus, and Walter Skinner, Jr., 18, took their places in the Blessed Sacrament Church, Saugus, to be married by the Rev. William E. Culhane, pastor.
As a matter of form, Father Culhane asked for the marriage licenses. The groom produced the Lynn license but, with mounting dismay, discovered that he had neglected to pick up the Saugus license for his bride-to-be.
STARTS ACTION
Father Culhane moved into action and called the Saugus Police Department. House officer Edward Newbury called Mrs. Ruth E. Stevens, Saugus Town Clerk, at her home on 9 Denver Street, Saugus.
Mrs. Stevens said she would be more than happy to issue a license but that the couple wold have to obtain a waiver of the five-day waiting period required by law.
Father Culhane wheeled to the telephone again and buzzed Judge William J. Landergan who rang Clerk of Courts Joseph Cole who promised to have all the papers ready if the frustrated couple would come to the Lynn courthouse.
While Skinner and Miss Maes were leaving their car, Cole hustled to the courthouse, made out the waiver and rushed to Judge Landergan’s home.
The would-be bridegroom bolted into the judge’s home almost at the same time that Cole arrived with the papers. Stopping only to grab the papers and murmur a hasty but heartfelt thanks to the Lynn officials, Skinner got into his car and sped off with the bride-to-be, who was beginning to wonder whether the day would end without her name being changed to Skinner.
Speed was of the utmost necessity, but it also proved to be against the law. Saugus patrolman William J. McNulty stopped Skinner and asked, “Where’s the fire?” When he learned it was a wedding and not a fire at all, he said to Skinner: “Move over, I’ll escort you there so nobody else will stop you.”
LAST HURDLE
Mrs. Stevens, Saugus town clerk, was standing at the Town Hall door as the car jolted to a stop outside. She accepted the waiver, but pointed out that she did not have a duplicate of the blood test record. The law again!
The utterly perplexed couple were completely agreeable to the offer of the bride’s brother to rush over to the office of Dr. John A. Favaloro at 257 Summer Street, Lynn, for credentials.
He was back in record time. Mrs. Stevens made out the license and the couple with their escort rode back to the church. The more than 75 guests who had sat through a novena service, were still waiting.
Shortly after 9 o’clock, when Father Culhane finished the novena service, the couple exchanged their vows.
Mr. Skinner drove very slowly away from the church while the New Mrs. Skinner busied herself by making a meticulous check of their tickets and reservations.
