Valentine's Romance Story week. Tom Lyle Williams and Bennie Gibbs.

I will post a Maybelline family Love Story everyday through Valentine's Day.  But if you want to know more about this post, read the sample chapter I'm giving away today.  Just click on the link below and subscribe to my blog.   The Maybelline Story to find out how Maybelline founder, Tom Lyle Williams and his childhood Sweetheart Bennie Gibbs eloped as teenagers to Shawneetown to get married.)

http://SharrieWilliamsAuthor.com/booksample


Here is an article written in 1893 regarding Shawneetown as a lovers destination for quick marriages resonates from Tom Lyle and Bennie's journey.

Shawneetown, Gallatin County, Illinois has long been the destination of young couples wanting to marry quickly and secretly. This is especially true of those living in western Kentucky counties bordering the Ohio River. The following is one account of such a marriage and is from the Evansville, Indiana Courier of 31 July 1893.

Morganfield, – Quite a breeze of excitement was created on the street last night by the rumor that Tom Sales and Miss Minnie James had gone to Shawneetown for the purpose of getting married. It seems there was some opposition on the match on the part of the young people’s parents so they decided to steal a march on them and hied them to Gretna Green, where loves young dream might be consummated without let or hinder. Mr. Sales called at the Givens House, where his lady love was boarding with her mother about, ostensibly for taking a moonlight drive. To disarm suspicion, they started out on the Sulphur Springs road, but turned about soon, came back by a street skirting the Givens House to the Shawneetown road.

They drove rapidly to the river opposite Shawneetown, were ferried over, and at this morning were married by Justice Hart. The happy twain returned at once o’clock.

Mr. Sales is a popular young salesman in the dry goods firm of Newton, Robinson and Waller and the bride is the attractive daughter of Mrs. McIntire, formerly of Union City, Tenn., who has been a resident here several months, engaged in teaching music and dancing.

Maybelline's Enchanted Maiden.

There once was a little boy named Robert (Williams) Haines, who was so adored, it seemed nearly impossible, he'd ever find a bride acceptable to his doting family

After two adorable daughters, named, June and Marilyn,  Eva and Ches Haines, rang the bells with delight,  announcing the birth of their baby boy.  Bobby was as close to a cherub as any child ever born, and with his curly brown hair, sparkling blue eyes and a sweet disposition, he was like no other. 

Little Bobby, though having two doting sisters, was
all-boy, growing up loving fast cars, cowboys and pretty girls. (Like most every little boy in the family!!)   Bobby's parents encouraged his adventurous nature, believing, someday he'd grow up to be a man they'd be proud of.

And yes, Bobby did grow to be a fine young man, devoted to God, Country and Family, wanting nothing more than to someday find the perfect girl, settle down and raise a family.

Bob, with his sister's June and Marilyn.

So it wasn't that unexpected, when he was bit by the love-bug while a senior in high school.  Enchanted by the most remarkable young Maiden, named Jackie, four years his junior - Bob knew, she was the one!  Jackie was the new girl in school, from out West in Arizona, a cowgirl, really - now living in the big city of Chicago for the first time.  Independent, adventurous - with beautiful blue eyes, and a stunning figure, Bob vowed to follow her to the ends of the earth.  But when her family returned to Arizona in her senior year, Bob's family said, not so fast - she's too young son, you might be making a mistake.  However, they'd raised him to be his own man, and this was the woman he wanted.  So he followed 16 year old Jackie out West - willing to face what ever fate dished out. 

As soon, as 17 year old Jackie graduated from High School, in 1953, she married her sweetheart in Prescott Arizona, and they soon started their own family.  Bob and Jackie were so in love, nothing was going to stop them, no matter what!!

Jackie and Bob Haines, of the left, followed by Dick and Marilyn Haines-Westhouse, John and June Haines-Gary, Eva Williams-Haines.  Below is David and Jerry Westhouse and June and Johns little girl.



Soon the Enchanted Maiden, was part of the Williams-Haines family and over the years gave them 6 grandsons, who grew up to be fine young men, just like their dad. 

Bob and Jackie will celebrate their 59th Wedding Anniversary this year, and as Bob approaches his 80th, Birthday in August, they remain the longest married couple in the entire family.  Now that's a Love Story.