Pastor Faces Charge In Marriage Chasing Campaign In Greenup

Article taken front he Lima News July 19, 1934.

PORTSMOUTH, O., July 19-(AP)-The Rev. J. D. Hays, a pasture of Greenup, Ky., was arrested here today on a charge of unlawfully paying a group of boys to solicit and direct couples arriving at Kentucky's "Gretna Green" to the pastor's home for marriage ceremonies.

His arrest followed a campaign by citizens and officials to break up the "marriage chasing" practice that has been prevalent in Greenup for years. Citizens asserted the practice so annoyed couples seeking licenses there that they were going elsewhere.

County Judge J. R. Shepperd released Hays on his own recognizance and ordered him to appeal for trial on Friday. The four boys were summoned as witnesses. Officials said the boys received from 10 to 25 cents a couple for directing "marriage traffic."

The offense carries a penalty of $10 to $100 in fines and possibility of revocation of the pastor's license to wed.