From The Herald Republican
Salt Lake City, Utah
08 October, 1910

PRETTY ROMANCE OF 
EARLY CHILDHOOD
___________

Lewis Gillilan and Miss Ellen Benson
Quietly Married in Butte
___________

PARENTS’ OBJECTIONS FAIL.
___________

Youth Works Hard When Allowance Is 
Cut Off and Wins Girl of His Choice
___________

   A romance, which had its inception during early childhood, culminating in an elopement and marriage at Butte, Mont., two weeks ago, has united Lewis Gillilan, favorite son of L. M. Gillilan, sub-master of the Salt Lake High school, and Miss Ellen Benson, former stenographer at the office of the surveyor general, and daughter of Martin Benson, the building contractor of 757 Second avenue.
    For more than a year parents of both bride and groom had objected to the weddings. But under the laws of Montana it was performed in absolute secrecy and Mr. Gillilan and Miss Benson, as Mr. and Mrs. Gillilan, have been “forgiven” by their parents and are living happily at the Gillilan homestead in Springville. Professor Gillilan attempted to discourage his son’s attentions to matrimony, because he had outlined a lengthy course of education for him, which eventually would have wound up at Heidelberg.
Allowance Cut Off
   When his father talked higher education and prospects of becoming a great educator, young Gillilan looked ahead to the opportunity of owning a little cottage where he could call Miss Ellen his own. He informed his father determinedly that he would marry Miss Benson. The lad soon found himself cut off from his usual allowance, but this simply increased his determination to marry Miss Benson.
   Early last summer Gillilan went to Yellowstone park, playing the role of one of Cupid’s martyrs, and worked hard until he had saved enough money to send for Miss Benson and go to Butte and find a clergyman. Miss Benson left the city under utmost secrecy about two weeks ago. She joined Gillilan at Butte. There they found little difficulty in being united in marriage. They enjoyed their honeymoon among the hills of Montana.

-- transcription by Kate Maynard, 2010