Ruth Jane Loop and Wallace McAnulty
eloped in August 1909 from Indiana to Illinois.
Their elopement and marriage were covered
in a couple of stories in the local press.


NEW ROSS COUPLE
MARRY AT DANVILLE
_____

J. WALLACE McANULTY AND MISS
RUTH LOOP ELOPE AND ARE
JOINED IN WEDLOCK
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BRIDE’S PARENTS OBJECTED
_____ 

But Despite Their Efforts to Stop the
Match Cupid Laughed at All
Locks and Bars.
_____

J. Wallace McAnulty a young farmer of near Mace, who was a member of the Crawfordsville band during fair week and Miss Ruth Loop, handsome seventeen year old daughter of William Loop of near Mace, defied parental objection on the part of the bride's parents, went to Danville, Ill., on Thursday afternoon and were married. The young people were determined to marry and had tried to overcome parental opposition but failed. It was then they planned to elope to the gretna green of all love lorn mortals of western Indiana.

The groom-to-be went to the fair ground on Thursday, marching down as usual with the band. Shortly afterward he asked Leo Schweitzer, the leader, to excuse him, which favor was granted, Mr. McAnulty saying he would return Friday morning.

The bride's parents were watching, having learned some way of the proposed elopement. Guards were stationed at the fair ground gates who were to report to Mr. Loop if Mr. McAnulty left the grounds. The guards overlooked one bet for no one went to the west gate of the fair ground to keep a vigil and through this wicket Mr. McAnulty passed and then hurried to the Big Four station where his sweetheart awaited his coming. They caught the west bound train at 1:40 and were married at 3:30 by Justice Hall. When securing the license the groom gave his age as twenty-three and the bride as twenty. The happy couple being securely joined, then returned to this city to intercede for parental forgiveness. It was learned Friday about noon that the young people had been married and from then until night the other members of the band made life a burden for the groom forcing him to stand for ‘steen dollars worth of treats, dinners, ice cream, cigars and so forth.

The Danville Democrat in commenting on the marriage says:

“How ridiculous these Indiana marriage license laws must be to send so many Hoosiers across the line into Illinois to get married. It's all because the county clerks in Indiana have to ask so many seemingly foolish questions, though really founded on good judgment and the prospective applicants for marriage license don't like to be quizzed too closely. So it is not strange that fully one-third the licenses issued by Clerk Dale here are for Hoosiers. And yesterday two more Indiana couples were married here. It seems as though almost all the Hoosiers who don't get married in their own state come to Danville. This city is one of the most prominent matrimonial centers in the middle west now being situated just across the line in Illinois and is a very accessible point from all sections of the county. Justice Henry J. Hall who has married almost one thousand couples in his long experience was yesterday called upon to officiate for the two Indiana pairs. One was J. Wallace McAnulty and Miss Ruth Loop of near New Ross. This couple was married about half past three.

[Source: Crawfordsville Daily Journal, Crawfordsville, Indiana, August 28, 1909, transcribed from image provided by Crawfordsville District Public Library]

When the Crawfordsville band adjourned Thursday of the fair for dinner little did they suspect the surprise in store for them. Not until one member sent in his supply did it dawn upon them what was going to happen. Wallace McAnulty, one or the alto players, and Miss Loop, of Mace, went to Danville, Ill., on the one train and were married. Returning on the first train to play the evening concert. The couple were captured and given a ride all over the city and fair grounds. Next day, the boys has not forgotten the previous day's proceedings. As the day was hot they were thirsty. This brought forth the lemonade, after which came the smoke. At noon, when dismissed for dinner, Mr. and Mrs. McAnulty invited the band to come with them. They were led to the Memorial chapel dining hall, where a separate table set especial for the fifteen members of the band awaited their coming, and an excellent dinner was served them. Along in the afternoon one member was sent out to forage. He straightway made a raid on H. A. Gray, the vegetable man, who handed over his choice premium watermelon, if he would make his getaway. A collection was taken up in the band and the proceeds went to drain the large lot of lemonade at Fred Harrington's stand and also to send a box of cigars up in to smoke. Thus the boys ate, drank, and smoked to the health and happiness of the groom.

[Source: Crawfordsville Daily Journal, Crawfordsville, Indiana, September 3, 1909, transcribed from image provided by Crawfordsville District Public Library]