Married, Knocked Out, and Fined - 1121 Antonine

We're preparing to drive to Florida for a family wedding.  The thoughts of matrimony reminded me of this vivid Times-Picayune clipping we came across while researching August Elmer's house on Antonine Street.

"Married, knocked out, arrested and fined within 3 hours was the unusual record of Mr. Joseph T. Ryan, 22 years old, 1121 Antonine Street" went the lede in this Friday edition of the Times-Picayune that day, November 8, 1929.  The trouble began during the reception when "a free-for-all fight" broke out "shortly after 10 p.m."  Someone called the police, who arrived to find the newlyweds, Ryan and Miss Angelina Chaisson, "inspecting the wreckage."  It's likely the groom was searching for his best man, Sam Inazza, who "found the competition too keen and left during the battle," according to police.

Even in 1929, the authorities used catch-all charges to arrest people.  Ryan took a trip to the station that night for "being drunk, disturbing the peace, using obscene language, and reviling the police."  That last one is my favorite.  Who could expect the groom to welcome potential captors with anything less than revulsion on his wedding day?  Probably, though, the police were letting him off easy.  The Times-Picayune reporter tells us that not only did Ryan take a swing at a police corporal on the scene but "he started a fight with Patrolman Edward Millet at the station and was knocked down for the count of 10."  What a night!

Despite the additional charge of assaulting Patrolman Millet, the courts showed mercy on young Joe Ryan.  The judge issued a $25 fine for drunkenness and disturbing the peace, though Recorder Charles Hammer, who "wanted to give him a wedding present," reduced the fine to $15.  The bride and Ryan's friends paid promptly.

I wonder if Mr. Ryan woke the next morning (or afternoon, as it were) on the couch at 1121 Antonine or if the new Mrs. Ryan tended to her new husband's wounds in the marital suite?  Unfortunately, these are the limits of what Our House Stories can uncover!  What stories lie within the walls of your house?