New York Times, March 1, 1920

SCULPTOR’S FIANCEE DETAINED ON SHIP

Heroine of War Romance Must Await Release by Ellis Island Board.

CROSSED OCEAN TO WED

English Girl Has Seen American Soldier, Who Rescued Her, Only Three Times.

Miss Jennie Jones, an attractive young Englishwoman, 22 years old, who arrived yesterday in the cabin of the White Star liner Cedric from her native city, Liverpool, to be married to Steven. A. Rebeck, a sculptor of Cleveland, Ohio, was detained on the ship by the U.S. Immigration authorities.  She will have to go before a Board of Special Inquiry at Ellis Island today to obtain her release.

The bridegroom-elect, who is 27 years old, had been waiting in New York since Wednesday for the liner to arrive.  On account of the Customs regulation he was not permitted inside the baggage lines on the pier to see his bride-to-be and she had to remain on the ship.

In speaking of her romance with Mr. Rebeck when he was with the American forces in England, in 1918, Miss Jones said that she had only seen him three times in her life.

“Our first meeting was in a dark alley in Liverpool,” she continued, smiling at the recollection, “and Mr. Rebeck, who was then a sergeant in the 97th Aero Squadron on the American Army, came to my aid in answer to my screams for help, and beat down a terrible ruffian who was strangling me.  My assailant, who was drunk, had stopped in the street, and before I knew it he had seized my wrists and was dragging me into this pitch dark alley.  He tried to kiss me and when I fought to get away he grabbed my throat and would undoubtedly have killed me in a few minutes more if Mr. Rebeck had not come so opportunely to my rescue. 

“Mr. Rebeck carried me to the street and escorted me to my door.  I saw him the next day and he asked me to marry him, but I couldn’t be sure.  He was leaving the following day for France, and I saw him then for only a few minutes and again he asked that I promise to marry him, but I put him off.

“During his many months at the front and after his return to Cleveland we corresponded regularly, and, finally, when I had become convinced that Mr. Rebeck was the man I loved, I consented to come to America to wed him.  This engagement ring he sent over by a Mr. and Mrs. Marshall, a Cleveland couple who were coming to Liverpool.”

Miss Jones, who is a brunette with large brown eyes, was not alarmed at being detained on the Cedric after she had been informed that it was a matter of form because she was traveling alone and a British subject.  After her release this morning Miss Jones and Mr. Rebeck will go to the Marriage License Bureau in City Hall, accompanied by an Immigration inspector, and will then be married at the home of the Rev. John F. Moore, Madison Avenue and Thirtieth Street.

Following a honeymoon trip to Boston, Philadelphia, Washington and Old Point Comfort, the newlyweds will make Cleveland their home, where Mr. Rebeck will resume his sculpture work at East Forty-fifth Street and Payne Avenue.
Before enlisting in August, 1917, Mr. Rebeck was a member of the firm of Motto-Rebeck, sculptors East 118th Street and Euclid Avenue, Cleveland.  He assisted Herman N. Matzen on the Tom L. Johnson monument, which is in the garden of that name in East Boulevard, Cleveland.  He saw duty with the A.E.F. as an expert mechanician, Sergeant, first class. He flew over the German lines several times and was in several accidents, but escaped without injury.