"SPOTTERS"

"SPOTTERS." In 1939 Dubuque became a mecca for couples wishing to avoid stringent marriage laws in their home states. Into this business developed a group of men called "spotters" who offered to "guide" out-of-town" couples through the necessary steps to getting married.

The "abuses" charged by the Dubuque County Attorney had to do with the signing by the "spotter" of an affidavit included in each application for a marriage certificate. Acting as a witness to the application, the "spotter" signed the following:

             I, being duly sworn, say that I am acquainted with the above-named
             _______________________ (bridegroom), a resident of ______________
             (city or town), who is at least __________ years of age, and said
             bride______________________, a resident of _________________(city
             or town, who is at least _______years of age: that they both are
             unmarried and capable of entering into any civil contract; that
             there is no legal disability to the marriage of said parties, and
             that their marriage is to be solemnized in Dubuque County. That my
             resistance is _______________________________________________.

             Subscribed in my presence by said ____________________ (name of
             witness by and said ___________________, and by him sworn to before
              me this _________day of _____________.

Reports of "spotters" suggested that they knew an amazing number of people from all parts of Illinois and Wisconsin.

In addition to law enforcement officials, local pastors were also opposed the "spotters" to discouraged couples from going to a church of their choice for the ceremony.

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Source:

"Duffy Decrees They Must Go; Cites "Abuses," Telegraph Herald, July 24, 1939, p. !