In the 100 years ago today column of the Journal Gazette was:
Mattoon--Andrew J. VanGunday, a Mattoon old soldier admitting that heis 76 years of age, went to Charleston this morning and returned tothe Coles County Clerk's office the marriage license he had purchasedthere on April 9, permitting him to marry Mrs. Lydia A. Lewis, also ofMattoon and age 61. When he handed the license back to the clerk, theaged would-be bridegroom said, "Here's this license. Take it, as Ihave no further use for it." When Van Gunday obtained the license heinsisted upon having one which cost $2 instead of the regular-priced$1 license. The $2 license is printed on a finer grade of paper andis handsomely adorned with drawings of cupid. Adding two round-tripfares on the interurban from Mattoon to Charleston and the licenseactually cost Van Gunday $2.80. According to the City Directory, VanGunday lives at 2807 Coittage Avenue. The name of Mrs. Lewis does notappear in that book.
