The Appeal, July 25, 1891

The Appeal, July 25, 1891

HANNIBAL’S RETREAT.

Hannibal C. Carter Fails to Get Married on Schedule Time.

A Long Expected and Much Talked of Marriage Fails to Materialize – Elaborate Preparations Made for Naught – Where is the Groom?

In ancient times there lived an African General, Hannibal by name. He was a fearless man and a brave General. He never lost a battle. His modern namesake Hannibal C. Carter after a proud record as a brave soldier and captain of the Corps d’Africque in the late rebellion has retreated from a petticoat.

Three or four weeks ago Chicago people received invitations as follows.

The pleasure of your company is respectfully requested at the marriage of Capt. H. C. Carter to Fanny Brown, at the St. Thomas Episcopal Church, Dearborn St., between 29th & 30th, Thursday Evening, July 23d, 1891, at 8 P.M.

Captain Carter said to an APPEAL reporter about a week ago.

“I’m not going to marry at all. I’m not engaged to any woman and never have engaged myself to any one since the death of my wife. I would not marry a gold woman. I am fifty-five years of age. My fourteen years of married life were happily passed. I do not think marriage is a failure, but I am too old to be making love, and billing and cooing like a young chap. A marriage may take place but I assure you I’ll not be one of the principals. I have made no arrangements whatever for the marriage. I think the woman must be crazy to make such preparations, knowing that I never asked her to be my wife. I had nothing to do with the issuance of the invitations and did not know they were out until one was received at my residence. I’m too old a bird to be caught by any such chaff as that.”

Thursday night the vicinity of St. Thomas Church was crowded with guests who came to witness the marriage but the bridal party came not and the church was not opened.

They waited until 9 o’clock and when it became evident that the couple would not arrive, they reluctantly left the church. THE APPEAL called at the residence of Mr. Carter, but he could not be found. Mrs. Fannie Brown was found at her residence 201 Plymouth place. She was dressed in her wedding costume waiting the arrival of the groom. Her dress was of silver gray crepe de Chene princess entrain, front panel embroidered brocaded silk, square court train, one and one-fourth yards in length. She was evidently much put out at the non-arrival of the groom. Mrs. Brown was surrounded by many of her friends who endeavored to comfort her. She said that she and Carter had been lovers for eight years, and she could not understand why he had failed to appear. “He has asked me to be his wife. I have consented and now he comes not to claim his bride.”

It is said that Mr. Carter left Tuesday on a fishing tour.

Hannibal C. Carter was born at New Albany, Ind., February 1835, but his early childhood was spent at Toronto, Canada. He received a common school education at New Albany, and then when old enough learned the barber trade and was also a tobacconist. With his father he was on the Mississippi Steamer Vicksburgh when the war broke out. This steamer ran on the lower Mississippi and a few days after Butler occupied New Orleans, Carter, and his brother Edward made their way to him in safety. Shortly after they arrived they petitioned General Butler to allow them to raise a regiment of Colored troops. This request was granted, and in October 1862, was mustered into the service. Comrade Carter and his brother, received what was possibly the first commissions issued to men of color. He was captain in the Second regiment Louisiana Native Guards, Corps De Africque. He assisted in the reconstruction of Tennessee, in 1867, and was elected from the Eighth congressional district in 1868. In 1868 he went to Mississippi and assisted in the reconstruction there. He represented Warren County, Miss., in the state legislature three times and was twice appointed secretary of the state. He was candidate for congress in the famous Second district against General J. R. Chalmers in 1872. He removed from Vicksburg ten years ago and assigns as a reason that it ceased to be a healthy locality for a free man.