Do you have old newspaper clippings in your files? If so, do you know the name and date of the paper they came from? I was fortunate to ‘inherit’ several newspaper clippings from my grandmother. While most of these clippings lack sourcing details, they still offer valuable insights into events in my family members’ lives. Because of this, they’ve earned a permanent place in my collection.
Today’s discovery is one such clipping. It documents the marriage of Edward Herald and Hazel Mentzer, providing a glimpse into their story.
Since digitized records and newspapers aren’t available, I decided to take on the challenge of not only locating this article but also uncovering additional documentation.
My first step was to check FamilySearch for a digital copy of the actual marriage license. Although the catalog indicated that 1922 marriage licenses for Woodson County were available, I discovered it was only a database entry, not an image of the record.
Next, I turned to Newspapers.com, knowing that many 1922 Kansas newspapers had been digitized on the platform. My search yielded six articles from Kansas newspapers in 1922 that mentioned Hazel Mentzer.
I found an article that matches my clipping in the 8 Dec 1922 issue of the Yates Center News.
Herald—Mentzer.
Edward Herald and Miss Hazel Mentzer were married at Iola last Thursday, Nov. 30, 1922.These fine young people belong to two of the best families of the county, and have the best wishes of all their friends.
The remaining articles come from various newspapers in Woodson and Allen counties. Several of these provide additional details about the marriage that were not included in the clipping my grandmother saved.
For instance, the Woodson County Advocate (8 Dec 1922 issue) includes information about the issuance of the marriage license.
Judge Sheachs issued marriage license Wed., Nov. 29, 1922, to Edward R. Harold and Miss Hazel Mentzer.
An article similar to my clipping appeared in the Woodson County Journal.
Edward Herald and Miss Hazel Mentzer were married at Iola Thursday, November 30, 1922.
These two young people are held in high regard by the many who know them, and their many friends extend cordial congratulations and best wishes, in which the Journal heartily joins.
The December 1, 1922 issue of the Iola Register contained a brief article with a long article about the wedding in the issue dated December 15, 1922.
Herold-Mentzer
Miss Hazel A. Mentzer and Mr. Edward R. Herold, both of Yates Center, Kansas, were quietly married at the parsonage of the First Christian Church Thursday morning, November thirtieth, at eleven o’clock, the pastor, the Rev. W. L. Harris, officiating.
MARRIED
At the parsonage of the Christian Church in Iola, Kansas, W. L. Harris officiating, Edward R. Herold and Hazel A. Mentzer, both of Yates Center. After the ceremony, they were entertained at the home of Henry Mentzer in Yates Center, where a gathering of the Mentzer families were celebrating Thanksgiving.
These young people are well known, the bride having taught several years in the schools of Woodson County, and the groom a well-known and enterprising farmer of West Center. They have a host of friends who wish them much happiness.
The Advocate wishes to extend congratulations along with the many friends of this fine young couple.
Although my original clipping is brief, it served as a valuable lead, guiding me to other sources that provide more detailed documentation of Hazel Mentzer and Edward Herald’s marriage.
This blog post was created with the assistance of ChatGPT, which helped enhance the quality of my writing and transcribed the newspaper articles featured in this post.