In 1906, the year of Bayfield's incorporation, W.A. Bay's daughter Pearl's elopement with Charles P. Foreman caused a slight stir in the community. Even the Durango Democrat weighed in on the matter, objecting to her choice of a husband.
Charles Foreman was in charge of the Bayfield Telephone Exchange and it was reported that he went to Durango to get the marriage license, returned to Bayfield to get Pearl. The couple then turned around and traveled back to Durango, arriving early in the morning. They had Judge Pike marry them in a Durango hotel at 6 a.m. and then boarded a train at 7:40 a.m. to travel to Salt Lake City.
The newspaper stated, "Whether or not the parental consent was obtained we are not advised, but it is all over now. Our only objections are that the girl married into the telephone crew as the 'hello gang' are all more or less 'looney,' yet Mr. Foreman seems to have had his judgment along when selecting a wife." Nonetheless, the writer added that Bay was one of "La Plata's most honored citizens."