Washington D.C., May 28, 1923 – In a move that has left the nation’s capital abuzz, Alfred J. Kvale, son of Congressman O.J. Kvale of Lenson, Minnesota, has eloped with Ethel Virginia Billee Stanfield, a chorus girl from the Follies. The whirlwind romance began at the Rendezvous Cafe, where Kvale serenaded the beauty with his saxophone. The pair’s friends say the union was a foregone conclusion, with Kvale’s music ‘playing in Sally’s ears like a siren’s song.’
The 18-year-old Stanfield, a member of the Ziegfeld Follies, was smitten with the young congressman’s son after their chance encounter at the cafe. Their friends report that the couple’s romance blossomed over a period of months, with Kvale showering Stanfield with affection and attention.
While the news of their elopement has shocked many in Washington society, the Kvale family appears unfazed. The groom’s father, Congressman O.J. Kvale, has given his blessing to the union, as has his wife, Mrs. Kvale, a minister’s daughter. Stanfield’s father, a contractor from Pikesville, Baltimore, is said to be equally pleased with the match.
However, the timing of the elopement may raise eyebrows in some quarters. With the Volstead Act in full force, the nation is still grappling with the consequences of Prohibition. Rum runners and bootleggers are raking in the dough, while law enforcement struggles to keep pace. Kvale’s involvement with the notorious underworld of Washington’s nightlife has long been a source of speculation in the city’s gossip circles.
As the nation’s capital continues to grapple with the fallout from Prohibition, one thing is certain: the Kvale-Stanfield union will be the subject of much speculation and scrutiny in the days to come.
But for now, the young lovers are off and running, having already tied the knot in a quiet ceremony at Crown Point, Indiana. As they begin their new life together, one thing is clear: this is a marriage that will be watched closely by the nation’s capital.
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Key Facts
- State: National
- Category: Public Corruption
- Era: Historical
- Source: Library of Congress — Chronicling America ↗
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