William Rand  


THE PITTSBURGH POST
Wednesday, March 22, 1911

OVER-SEA ROMANCE
ENDS HERE
Marriage Terminates English Girl's Tour
  A romance, which had it's beginning more than five years ago in County Kent, the Garden of England, culminated in Pittsburgh last Saturday when Jessie Henderson, daughter of a wealthy English squire of titled family, and William A. Rand, a chauffeur, were secretly married.   The utmost secrecy surrounded the nuptials, which were celebrated in the office of Alderman J. G. Harper, in the court house.   The bride, in choosing her husband, did not meet the approval of her parents, who still believe she is touring America with friends of the family.   The young couple are living at 3309 Fifth Avenue.
  The story of the courtship of Jessie Henderson and William Rand reads almost like fiction.   Both came from County Kent, England, where Miss Henderson's father is one of the wealthiest and most respected citizens.

Chauffeur and Mistress Become Cupid's Captives

  About six years ago Rand was employed by the Henderson family as a chauffeur.   He came of good family, was refined in appearance, and his gentlemanly manners immediately attracted the attention of Jessie, the daughter of the house.   Long automobile rides alone
 
with Rand soon turned the young woman's admiration and friendship into love, and Rand, dazzled by the beauty of his employer's daughter, returned her love.   along one of the beautiful roads in Kent county, Rand declared his love for Jessie and she confessed her feeling for him.   While they rejoiced in their happiness the young couple realized only too well that Jessie's stern and dignified father would never consent to their marriage.   The secret courtship continued for more than a year, until one bright moonlit night, when, it is alleged, Jessie's father saw her locked in the embrace of her chauffeur lover.

    Father Finds Letters: Correspondence Ceases

  Rand left his job, but he managed to see Jessie and arranged a secret channel for corresponding with her.   Then he came to America.   In New York he obtained employment as a chauffeur and worked there for some time.   While there, he met Howard Paunting, also from County Kent, who was employed by a wealthy family as a chauffeur.   Paunting came to Pittsburgh and later induced Rand to follow him.
  While in New York Rand received word from a friend, warning him to cease corresponding with Jessie, as the young woman's father had discovered that letters were passing back and forth over the sea between her and Rand.   After Rand had departed for America, Miss Henderson became ill.   Daily she grew thinner and began to fade away, pining for her lover.

  Her parents became alarmed over her condition and about a year ago decided to let her take a trip to America.

       Rand Goes to Gotham And Brings Girl Here

  In New York, the Henderson's had many friends, and to these Jessie was sent.   She heard from Rand while in New York.   The latter wrote her that he was driving an automobile for a wealthy family.   While the long separation had not caused their love to wane, they did not discuss marriage, because Jessie's respect for parents would not permit her to wed without their consent.   It was not until several weeks ago that this feeling was overcome and the couple decided to be married in Pittsburgh.   Last Thursday Rand went to New York and met his fiance.   He brought her to Pittsburgh with him on Friday and on Saturday afternoon the marriage license was secured and the ceremony performed.
  Neither Rand nor his bride would discuss their wedding or the romantic incidents leading up to it.   They were horrified when they discovered their story
 
had become known and made every effort to suppress it.

  Young Couple Try Hard to Avoid Any Publicity

  "I do not care for myself, but what will my wife's people say," Rand said to a "Post" reporter.   "I guess the facts you have are correct, but I will not add anything to them. I would rather nothing at all were said about the matter."
  Mrs Rand, pretty and refined in appearance, was even more elegant than her husband in her pleadings to have the story of the courtship and marriage kept secret.
  "I don't see why our affairs would interest anyone," she said.   "The story that you have heard is true, but how you got it I cannot understand.   All I ask is to be undisturbed with my husband.   It is true that I came all the way from England to marry him, but what of it.   It is my affair.   I am of age, and have a perfect right to do as I please."
  Rand is 24 years old, and his wife is two years his senior, according to the records in the marriage license bureau.