On This Date in Minnesota History: October 17

October 17, 1902 – St. Paul police were notified today of the arrest of Alfred S. Toler and Alice Gailey in St. Louis, Mo. Toler is a 52-year-old widower, while his companion is a 15-year-old girl. The two were arrested at the insistence of the girl’s relatives and will be brought back to St. Paul.

Toler won considerable notoriety several months ago by his efforts to marry the Gailey girl. At one time the two visited the clerk of the courts and requested a marriage license. As the girl was under age, the clerk refused to issue the license. Toler attempted to convince the mother that it was all for the best, but she refused to consent to the match.

Later Toler and the girl’s father called at the home of Mrs. Gailey and when the police arrived, Mrs. Gailey accused them of attempting to carry the young girl away. This time the case got into the police court.

Yes, Toler and William Gailey, the girl’s father, were working together. Apparently Mr. Gailey soon disappeared with Toler’s daughter. While the neighbors were still gossiping about this little sensation, Alice Gailey left home and her mother received a note saying that Alice had married a traveling man. When Toler disappeared, Mrs. Gailey became suspicious and notified the police.

The Saint Paul Globe; “Eloping Couple Taken By St. Louis Police. Alfred Toler and His Son-in-Law’s Daughter Are Arrested in St. Louis.”; Oct. 18, 1902; p. 3.

Photo taken by Pamela J. Erickson. Released into the public domain Sept. 16, 2017,
as long as acknowledgement included.  

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