Eva Florence Shively was born ca 1884 and died ca 1970. She married William H. Collins in Allen County, Kansas in June 1909. Eva Florence Shively was the daughter of John W. Shively born 28-June-1839 and died 27-February-1915 and Malissa. John W. Shively served in the Civil War and enlisted as a Private on 15-March-1865 in Company E, 155th Infantry Regiment (Indiana).
The following article was extracted from The Iola Register, Iola, Kansas, Saturday, June 26, 1909, Page 3, Column 1-2:
News Of Gas City
Mr. and Mrs. W. H. Collins, Bridal Couple, Left Today
Had Unique Courtship
A Note In A Lamp Chimney Beginning Of Romance
Bridal Couple to Newton
Mr. and Mrs. William H. Collins left yesterday for Newton, Kas., where they will reside in the future. Mr. Collins in a fireman on the Santa Fe railway, running out of Newton. Mr. Collins and Miss Eva Florence Shively were married Thursday evening at the home of the uncle of the bride, F. M. Shively. Rev. D. M. Campbell, formerly pastor of the Methodist church in this city, performed the ceremony. The courtship of the couple was brought about in a unique manner. Miss Shively, the bride, was employed in a lamp chimney factory in Alexandria, Ind. In packing a case of chimneys one day, Miss Shively wrote her name and address on a slip of paper and placed it in a chimney. The chimneys were shipped to Newton, Kas., and the chimney with the girl's name and address in it finally came into the possession of William H. Collins, a Santa Fe fireman. He wrote to Miss Shively and this began a correspondence which finally became a courtship and this culminated in the happy marriage of the young people.
Another account of the story was extracted from The Evening Star, Independence, Kansas, Thursday, July 1, 1909, Page 1, Column 4:
After Romantic Correspondence
Bride's Name Placed On Lamp Chimney
After Many Months of Correspondence and Love Making By Mail
Couple Met --Married-- Fireman At Newton Bought Chimney With Name On It
(Iola Record.) The wedding of Miss Eva Florence Shively and William H. Collins, was the culmination of a very romantic courtship. Indeed the contracting parties had seen each other only three days before the ceremony was pronounced which made them husband and wife, although a correspondence has been carried on for some years.
The wedding occurred at Gas City last evening, at the home of the bride's uncle, F. M. Shively. Rev. D. M. Campbell, formerly pastor of the Methodist church performing the ceremony.
Miss Shively, the bride, lived at Alexandria, Ind., the home of the great lamp chimney works. She was employed in the factory. One day in a spirit of fun she wrote her name on a slip of paper and wrapped it up in a lamp chimney.
In due course of time this lamp chimney with others was shipped to Newton, Kansas, and fate or good fortune caused William H. Collins, fireman to buy the identical chimney in which Miss Shively had placed her name. He wrote to her and she answered. This was many months ago. Regular correspondence followed.
The friendship ripened into love and the proposal to marry was accepted.
Some time ago Miss Shively came to visit her uncle's family at Gas City. Mr. Collins came over from Newton four days ago and the wedding occurred last evening.
The happy couple left for a trip to Indiana but will make their home in Newton where the husband is still a fireman.
Florence Eva Shively Collins and William H. Collins are listed on the 1900 Harvey County, Kansas census in the household of Dave Croker (first marriage) age 36, wife Ella age 46 (second marriage), stepson William Collins age 28 fireman, and step daughter in law Florence age 26. By 1920 William and Florence are living in Indianapolis, Marion County, Indiana.
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