Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1873-11-13
Golden wedding at Fairhaven.
INTERESTING RxERcIsEs-Two HUNDRED
-r.-sr. PEOPLE PRESENT.

The fiftieth anniversary of the mar
rage of Mr.. and Mrs. Joseph Adams
was celebrated at their residence in
| Fairhaven on Tuesday afternoon and
evening, Nov. 6. About two hundred
people, consisting mostly of old friends
or immediate neighbors and relatives,
and including representations from
| twelve towns, viz Fairhayen, Poultney,
Castieton, Hubbardton, New Haven,
Shoreham, Orwell, Benson, West Haven,
Ticonderoga, Whitehall and Hampton,
were present, while letters of regret
were received from many friends in dis
tant States
The large proportion of persons pres
ent, who were venerable with years, as
attested by the frosts of lffe's autumn
sprinkled in their locks, was remarkable.
Of the nine persons now living who
were present at the original wedding in
1898, six were present on this occasion,
namely, the bridegroon's sister and her
husband, Befsey and Rensselaer, Wright,
and the brides brother and sister, nephew
and niece, Solomon p Miller, Lewis
Shaw, VIM s. Miller and Belona With
erell. There were present from one
family five brothers and sister, cousins
of the bride, and all grey with age, to
wit Erastus. Alphonso, Harrison, Alon-
20 and Lorenzo Phelps, and their sister
L4vona Parks,
TIE collation. was served by Mr. Jerry
Lewis and assistants. The tables were
plentifully furnished and tastefully dec
GRATED with MOSES, flowers, and ferns.
Over the lace of the parlor windows ap-
peared in gilt figures upon blue ground
the names of the years 1923 and 1878,
the former incircled with frame of
bright berries and pink and white flow
ers; the latter with an evergreen wreath
and autumn leaves.
There were fitting presents from
the children and grand children and
some friends, among which the feather
boquets from Mrs. Mary Phelps were
beautifully typical, the one of bright
spring and youth, the other of sober
autumn aud age. Mrs. Amelia Bowker
and the grandchildren Alice and Stella
Adams, entertained the company with
music and singing; and all Joined in
singing several familiar old hymns. At
the earnest solicitation of Mr.. Bailey and
others, Mr.. Adams played few old
tunes on his violin. At later hour in
the evening the Hibernian Bind struck
up voluntary serenade in front of the
house, which added much to the pleas
ure of the occasion. ;..-.
A little after o'clock, the company
being invited to give attention, the grand
daughter, Ada Adams, stepped out and,
addressing her grandmother, presented a
gold ring marked with the years 1928
and 1878, From the grandchildren; =
7 her speech bringing tears to the eyes of
many who listened. Letters were read
from Rev. Rufus S, Cushman and Rev
r. t. Herbert. Mr. Cushman's was es-
pecially humorous, Astounding in pleas
ant "reminiscences and happy hits on the
persons and events of his boyhood life,
when he was accustomed to frequent the
work shop Of Mr. Adams, and give and
| take his share of the jokes. The letter
closed with an extract from beautiful
poem, and was received with great joy
by those who heard. Not a few were
gratified to hear the words of Mr.. Her
bert from his far-away Iowa, ringing out
their wonted benediction of love and
good will, GAS the ripe fruit is better
| than the bud; as the reaping is better
than the sowing as the victory Is better
than the march and the battle; as the
coming in of the ship, though battered
by winds and waves, is better than the
going out to an untried sea, so your wed
ding day at this time is much better than
any which a young married couple can
ever have"
Mr.. E. Ii. Phelps, in few direct and
well chosen words, for the nephews and
nieces of Mr.. Adams, both present and
absent, presented him with very beauti-
full gold-headed cane, not forgetting APP
propriate gifts to Mrs. Adams also ;
after which Rev, j. r. Haven, of Shore
ham, an old and much esteemed friend
of the household, who is now eighty-one
years of age, being present, was asked
to say a few words, and addressed the
groom and bride in poetry as follows I: S
2
Full fifty happy years
Have pass'd from earth away, s-....'
Undistarbed by many gTiefs or tears
Since your blest WEDDING DAY. = =
How sweet the hours of rest; 49,.
How blissful every morn, ,-.%..s S
To hearts in such a union blest,
Whom peace and love adorn
How oft to your sweet home 5.s'l "a
Have friends and kindred dear,
With hearts of purest friendship come,
To bless each passing year 49,. 8
| Your hearts and hands were warm
To give them your embrace, - s:
]. And. free access to every charm, : s-.l.:
/ That reigns through all the place.
no latch-string have they found, ~ s.
i Vi Drawn in to guard your door, '.'-'..
Or strangers warn from gathering round
| To share your plentious store. (
| Though parents, children, friends,
| Z Have passe from earth away: ...e
God still on you his blessing sends,
1 ~. Crewning with bliss each day. ~
/ In your parental bower "a. =. rs.
- Two noble plants have grown: =.
Your Joy and comfort every hour g..
4 Your richest earthly crown.
. Long may they bless your ) ears, ~
i - AS time shall roll away s.s-'.s 81 $
= Now the glad JUBILEE appears, ~. w =
4 4,.gs Y our GOLDEN WEDDING DAY: - 3 Z.