Winfield Courier, Thursday, January 7, 1886.
Happy they, the happiest of their kind.
Whom gentle stars unite,
And in one fate
Their hearts, their fortunes, and their beings blend.
Once again have the wedding chimes echoed. Ever since the announcement of the intended marriage of Mr. B. W. Matlack and Miss Gertrude McMullen, society has been on the qui vive in anticipation of the brilliant affair. Its date was New Year’s Day—the starting of a new year, with all its bright prospects and happy hopes. What time could be more appropriate for the joining of two souls with but a single thought? As the cards signaled, the wedding occurred at the elegant residence of Col. J. C. McMullen, uncle of the bride. At half past one o’clock the guests began to assemble and soon the richly furnished parlors of one of Winfield’s most spacious homes were a lively scene, filled with youth and age. It was a representative gathering of the city’s best people, attired as befitted a full dress occasion. Many of the ladies were very richly costumed.
THE GUESTS.
Mr. and Mrs. A. H. Doane, Mr. and Mrs. E. S. Bliss, Mr. and Mrs. J. C. Fuller, Mr. and Mrs. Chancey Hewitt, Mr. and Mrs. Dr. Wright, Mr. and Mrs. E. P. Greer, Mr. and Mrs. T. H. Soward, Mr. and Mrs. G. W. Miller, Mr. and Mrs. W. H. Albro, Mr. and Mrs. Dr. Gull, Mr. and Mrs. E. S. Torrance, Mr. and Mrs. H. E. Silliman, Mr. and Mrs. B. F. Wood, Mr. and Mrs. C. A. Bliss, Mr. and Mrs. Geo. Rembaugh, Mr. and Mrs. Fred C. Hunt, Mr. and Mrs. Sam D. Pryor, Mr. and Mrs. John D. Pryor, Mr. and Mrs. D. A. Millington, Mr. And Mrs. W. P. Hackney, Mr. and Mrs. J. J. Carson, Mr. and Mrs. J. A. Smith, Mr. and Mrs. E. G. Cole, Mr. and Mrs. E. F. Blair.
Arkansas City: Mr. and Mrs. S. Matlack, Mr. and Mrs. C. H. Searing, Mr. and Mrs. J. C. Topliff, Mrs. E. H. Wilson, Mrs. M. L. Matlack, Mrs. A. M. Clevenger, and Miss Lucy Walton.
Misses Minnie Taylor, Josie Pixley, Ida Trezise, Lena Walrath, Alice Bishop, Mary Bryant, Mary Berkey, May Hodges, Hattie Stolp, and Leota Gary.
Messrs. Judge Jay J. Buck, of Emporia; George and Everett Schuler, Will Hodges, Robert Hudson, Eli Youngheim, Jos. O’Hare, S. and P. Kleeman, Henry Goldsmith, E. Wallis, Addison Brown, Tom J. Eaton, Lacey Tomlin, Dr. C. E. Pugh, Frank Robinson, Lewis Brown, Will Robinson, James Lorton, Amos Snowhill. Livey J. Buck, Harry Sickafoose, and Frank H. Greer.
This list is as nearly correct as our reporter could get. In such an assembly it is almost impossible to get every name.
The shutters had been closed and the parlors illuminated by gas light, making a soft, mellow light entrancingly beautiful. Just enough daylight found its way in to complete the novel effect. At 2:30 the bridal pair came lightly down the stairway amid the sweet strains of Mendelssohn’s wedding march, by Master Olmstead, and took their position in the north parlor. The bride was on the arm of her father, Mr. J. F. McMullen, and the groom was accompanied by the bride’s mother. The attendants were Misses Nellie McMullen, cousin of the bride, and Jennie Lowry and Messrs. Ed. J. McMullen, the bride’s brother, and Frank F. Leland. The exquisite beauty of the bride was at its perfection in a very rich gold-colored costume. Its color was the exact counterpart of her hair, and was remarkably lovely for its absence of diversified trimming. It was Satin De Lyon, with court train; corsage trimmed with gold-colored silk. Her hair was dressed with ostrich tips and in her hand she held a bouquet of tube roses and immortelles. Miss Nellie McMullen was attired in a handsome blue brocade sateen, and Miss Lowry in very pretty shrimp pink satin. The groom and his attendants were arrayed in conventional black, with white cravats and kids.
The bridal party were in a bower formed of white satin ribbon, in which were the bride’s father and mother, Mrs. Wm. H. Colgate and children, a sister, Col. McMullen, his mother and family, Mrs. M. L. Matlack and Stacy Matlack and wife, mother and brother of the groom.
Mrs. J. F. McMullen was attired in a stone colored silk, trimmed with plush, same shade, and Mrs. J. C. McMullen in garnet-colored silk.
Mrs. Colgate wore a pink cashmere dress, with satin mora bon trimming; Pussy Colgate, blue alabastrass Gretchen dress. The ceremony was pronounced by Rev. J. H. Reider, pastor of the Baptist church of this city. It was very beautiful and impressive, as follows.
THE CEREMONY.
The marriage institution, coeval with the human family, is authorized and guarded, both by divine and civil law. It is pointed out alike by the word of God, and the relations and experiences of our race, as eminently conducive to human happiness. It was instituted during man’s innocency, in the earthly Paradise; was ratified by Jesus Christ, the teacher and law-giver of the world, and declared by his holy Apostles to be honorable to all. Emanating thus directly from supreme authority, and preceding all other social and civil compacts, this institution cannot undergo change or pass away in the progress and mutations of society, but will remain the same and unalterable, the foundation of human government, of social order, and domestic happiness to the end of time. As the parties now presenting themselves in the presence of God and of these witnesses, seek this happy, honorable, and responsible alliance, I shall in token of a due consideration on your part of the nature and obligations of the conjugal relation, and of your free, deliberate, and decided choice of each other as partners for life, you will please unite your right hands. Do you now promise before Almighty God and these witnesses, to take each other for husband and wife, and practice all these offices of duty and affection which God in his word enjoins upon this relation? Do you mutually promise?
The parties answered, “We do promise.”
The groom then took the elegant diamond-set ring and placed it on the fourth finger of the bride’s left hand, and said: “With this ring I thee wed, and with all my worldly goods and my heart’s faithful affection, I thee endow.” When Mr. Reider added: “And may it remain a fit emblem of the brighter link uniting your hearts, of the richer circle of your common enjoyment, and as it is without end, may your happiness and prosperity endure forever. Having thus assumed the responsibilities of the marriage covenant, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, I pronounce you one—one in all your temporal interests and possessions, and in the eye of the law; one in every event of life, whether prosperous or adverse; one in every condition, whether of sickness or health. And what God hath joined together, let not man put asunder.”
Then prayer was offered for the divine blessing upon the newly wedded pair, and upon the families thus united, after which Mr. and Mrs. Matlack were introduced to the friends present.
The bridal pair stood the “trying ordeal” with becoming grace, pronouncing the momentous “I do” with a firmness only born of perfect self possession. The ceremony over, the congratulations began, warm and hearty, exhibiting the popularity of the bride and groom. Twenty-five of Mr. Matlack’s young gentlemen friends filed in, one right after the other, for congratulations. Half an hour was spent in greetings, when the feast began. It was elaborate, embracing everything obtainable in the culinary and confectionery art, served in elegant style. It was hugely enjoyed. Then came the view of the tokens. They were many and valuable—an array charming to the lover of fine wares and fine art.
THE TOKENS AND DONORS.
Silver nut cracker and half dozen nut picks, Ed J. McMullen.
Silver salt and pepper castor, Miss Nellie McMullen.
Silver tray with tea and coffee service, Mrs. M. L. Matlack.
Large steel engraving “Rural Scene,” S. Matlack.
Morocco bound bible, Mr. and Mrs. J. C. McMullen.
Decorated China dinner set, Mr. and Mrs. J. F. McMullen.
Diamond earrings, groom to bride.
Point lace handkerchief, Mrs. W. H. Colgate.
Silver pitcher and goblet, Mr. and Mrs. G. C. Rembaugh, Mr. Will C. Robinson, Mr. G. D. Headrick, Mr. M. Hahn, Mr. and Mrs. A. H. Doane, Dr. C. E. Pugh, Mr. Addison Brown, Mr. Will E. Hodges, Mr. Eli Youngheim, Mr. E. G. Gray, Mr. F. H. Greer.
Silver butter knife, Mr. and Mrs. W. P. Hackney.
Silver jewel case, Mr. and Mrs. J. Wade McDonald.
Silver card receiver, Mr. and Mrs. J. N. Young.
Carving knife and fork with steel, Mr. and Mrs. Chancey Hewitt.
Plush picture frame, Mr. and Mrs. J. A. Smith.
Gold and pearl pen holder, Harry Bahntge.
Lemonade set, A. Snowhill.
Silver card receiver, E. M. Ford, Emporia, Kansas.
Silver pitcher and goblet, Mr. and Mrs. Rodgers, Mr. and Mrs. D. A. Millington, Mr. and Mrs. J. C. Fuller, Mr. and Mrs. H. E. Silliman, Mr. and Mrs. J. D. Pryor, Mr. and Mrs. Wm. Whiting, Mr. and Mrs. S. D. Pryor, Mr. and Mrs. W. H. Albro, Mr. and Mrs. C. A. Bliss, Mr. and Mrs. I. W. Randall, Mr. and Mrs. C. Collins, Mr. and Mrs. B. F. Wood, Mr. and Mrs. O. Branham, Mr. and Mrs. E. S. Bliss, Miss Lena Walrath, and Miss Lola Silliman.
Silver butter dish, Mr. and Mrs. Ed Cole and Miss Nellie Cole.
Silver card receiver, Mr. and Mrs. M. L. Read.
Silver tooth pick stand and salt cellar, Mr. and Mrs. E. F. Blair.
Pair silver salt stands, T. H. Soward.
Silver castor, Misses Jennie Lowry and Mollie Bryant.
Silver ink stand, Mr. and Mrs. J. N. Harter.
Silver vase, Mrs. A. B. Bishop and Misses Mary Berkey and Josie Pixley.
Silver cake basket, P. H. Albright and Ed Greer.
Silver butter dish, butter knife, sugar shell, and one-half dozen silver spoons, Mr. and Mrs. J. J. Carson, Mr. and Mrs. W. R. Whiting, Mr. and Mrs. E. D. Taylor, Miss Maggie Taylor, Mr. and Mrs. M. L. Whiting, Mr. and Mrs. G. W. Miller.
Pair French gall urns, Lizzie, Margie, and Eugene Wallis.
Silver pickle dish, Mr. and Mrs. E. S. Torrance.
Silver and glass berry dish, Leota Gary, Hattie Stolp, Minnie Taylor, May Hodges, and Ida Johnson.
Silver and glass jelly dish, Mr. and Mrs. J. J. Buck, Emporia.
Hand painted pickle castor, Mr. E. Schuler, J. Lorton, G. Schuler, and Robt. Hudson, Jr.
Silver berry dish with spoon, L. Jay Buck, H. L. Tomlin, and F. Robinson.
Wedgewood ink stand, Mr. and Mrs. J. S. Lyon.
Pair of silver and ground glass flower vases, Mr. and Mrs. L. M. Williams.
Silver salt cellars, Mr. and Mrs. J. C. Topliff, Arkansas City.
Silver and ground glass flower stand, Dr. and Mrs. F. H. Bull.
Marble top table, J. L. M. Hill.
Linen table cloth, Sam and Phil Kleeman.
Picture “Twin Stars,” Mr. and Mrs. E. S. Bedilion.
Morocco bound album, F. F. Leland.
Book, “Violet Among the Lillies,” Henry Goldsmith.
Dictionary, Thos. J. Eaton.
Book, “European Scenery,” Lewis Brown.
Turkish rug, Mrs. Clevenger.
Duchess lace handkerchief, Miss Emma Pfeffer, Topeka.
Silver traveling cup in Russia leather case, Mr. and Mrs. Albro.
Pair hand painted key racks, Miss Strong.
Silver and glass berry dish, Willis A. Ritchie.
THE BRIDAL TOUR.
At 4:30 the bridal pair and the relatives took the carriages in waiting and repaired to the S. K. depot, accompanied by a large number of guests to see the newly married couple off for their wedding tour of six weeks to Trenton, New Jersey, New York City, Boston, and various places in the east. It was a big ovation and farewell, with myriads of hearty wishes for a safe and happy tour.
PERSONAL.
Never was a couple more happily mated than Mr. and Mrs. B. W. Matlack. The union is one of counterpart temperaments—one with a starting most auspicious. The bride is a young lady of rare beauty and refinement, with a sweet and tranquil disposition and admirable social qualities. She has just bloomed into womanhood, the joy and pride of her parents and relatives. Mr. Matlack is one of the city’s best young businessmen, having, by shrewd business tact and self-application, secured a good competency. He has for a year or more been an active participant in Winfield’s social life. He is handsome, of affable manner, and possessed of ambition that will continue to win him success. Marriage is said to be the crowning point of life. Mr. Matlack’s coronation is jeweled—his bride a young lady the equal of whose winsome presence is seldom found. That all the fondest anticipations of bride, groom, parents, and relatives may reach their apex, is the hearty wish of THE COURIER.
CONCLUSION.
Never in the history of Winfield did it have a more elaborate wedding then the one here chronicled. The home of Mr. and Mrs. J. C. McMullen, with its commodious appointments and rich furnishings, gave ample scope for extensive arrangements. Nothing was omitted that would add to the perfection of the occasion. The Col. and his agreeable lady received, as is characteristic of them, in a manner most admirable. The occasion, its pleasant hospitality and events, will long be remembered by the participants.
A HAPPY NEW YEAR INDEED.