Unwise Romance in Farmer Township

From the Defiance Democrat - November 22, 1894

"LOVED NOT WISELY

A Farmer Township Young Man in County Jail.

CHARGED WITH BEING A FATHER

He Refuses to Furnish Bail, Although Able to Do So.

The Hasty Action of a Young Lady.

Benton A. Sweet, of Farmer township, is an inmate of the county jail.

Miss Florence Crossland, also of Farmer, has brought about his arrest on a paternity charge.  The case was heard before Philander Richardson, justice of the peace.  Sweet was held to the common pleas court in the sum of $600.  This bond he refused to furnish and he was locked up last Friday evening.

Both the parties are of respectable and highly connected families.  Their parents are well to do farmers and the young people have moved in the best of society.  Sweet has been keeping company with the young lady for several years.

Some time ago, it dawned upon the young lady who loved not wisely, but too ardently that she was about to become a mother.  She informed her lover of the fact and he promised to right the wrong by only one course open to him - marriage.  He told her he was not prepared to enter the matrimonial state.  The young man is reputed to be worth considerable property as he was managing a large farm belonging to his father.

Lately, he has been disposing of considerable of his chattels and friends of the girl persuaded her that he was preparing to flee the country and not fulfill his promise to marry her.  The fact is, he was negotiating for the purchase of a small farm in which was a pretty house he was intending to install her in as mistress of.

By the advice of meddlesome friends, it is learned she caused his arrest.  He was so indignant at the turn of affairs that he refused bail, although friends offered to furnish it, and went to jail.  He now declares he will not marry her, but he may think better of it.  It is understood the young lady now regrets her action.

LATER -- Since the above was written, Sweet has decided to be admitted to bail.  Hon. John W. Winn will go on his bond and will endeavor to induce Sweet to return to Farmer township and marry Miss Crossland." 

I think we all like a happy ending, and I'm fairly certain that this story had one.  According to the 1900 census, Benton Sweet, 38, and his wife, Florence, 31, lived in Farmer Township with their three children: L. D., 5, a son, and two daughters, Ardis, 3, and Valera, 1.  Benton was farming and their marriage date was given at 1895, so apparently, after the initial shock of the pregnancy, Benton succumbed to the plea to marry Florence.  I hope they lived happily ever after!