The Marietta Daily Times, January 1, 1930
A new high record was hung up by the Washington County marriage license bureau at the probate court for 1929 when a total of 508 licenses to wed were issued. The previous high mark, 418, was made in 1928. The increase in marriage licenses issued here is plainly out of proportion to population figures of Washington County and persons interested may ask that the grand jury investigate with reference to breaking up perjury that is believed to be frequently committed by applicants.
The latest instance of this sort occurred on Tuesday, closing day of the year, when Frank H. Flaig and Miss Thelma E. Dulin, both of Parkersburg, W. Va., procured licenses. Both gave their sworn residence as Belpre. Flaig swore he was 22 years of age and Miss Dulin swore that she is 21.
An hour after the license was issued, Frank F. Flaig, the father of the bridegroom, appealed to the Marietta police to help find the couple, declaring that his son had stolen the family automobile in which to make a runaway marriage trip.
The father not only exploded the idea that the couple were residents of Belpre, but he declared his boy is 20 years old and his bride is only 19. He said they never had resided in Washington County. He returned to Parkersburg declaring he would take steps to have the marriage annulled.
Dozens of West Virginia couples are believed to have sworn falsely in probate court in the past year. The majority of them have given Belpre as the bride's home. Within the last few years more "Belpre girls" than ever lived in that town have procured licenses in Washington County.
June and August vied for high honors at the marriage license bureau, with the Augustus Caesar month excelling by one. August brought 71 couples and June 70. The monthly record for the year follows: January, 21; February, 36; March, 29; April, 37; May, 30; June, 70; July, 30; August, 71; September, 41; October, 50; November, 43; December, 50.
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