Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1874-07-19
A GOLDEN WEDDING.
FIffiefh Anniversary Of the Marriage Of
Colonel James 4. Saunders and
Wife, OF Rocky Hin, Ala,-
A Joyous Occasion.


From an Occasional Correspondent
INGLEsIDE, LAWRENCE COUNTY,
Ala, July Is, lS74.-I shall not burden
this letter with the affairs of the nation,
Of the State or county, with which your
readers are daily regaled by your regu-
lar correspondents, but as an occasional
"taker Of notesn outside of the beaten
track give you a brief accoun. Of a
never-tO-be-fOrgotten pleasure we en-
joyed yesterday in att nding the golden
wedding of our most worthy and distin-
guished friend, Colonel James +. Saun-
ders, and his devoted, christian wife,
Mary L. Saunders-"a mother in
Israel" as the minister called her in his
prayer, "whOse children rise up and call
her blessed" i" and the people delight TO
honor aud love. Half a century marks
an epoch 10 married life Of rare occur
renee, full Of changes and events sweet
and sad; and in this instance whatever
shadows had been cast over Rocky Hill
their home) during this long period,
only served 10 set of the picture OF their
long, useful and happy life to greater ad-
vantage. II was plainly visible that
time had flown with rapid wing during
this happy period Of fifty years, and the
halcyOn days Of their present life is
truthfully depicted by the poet:
Oh, speak the joy! ye whom the sudden tear
surprises often, when you look around,
And nothing strikes the eye but sights OF bliss,
All various nature pre- essing on L g heart,
AND elegant suIiciency, content;
Retirement rural quiet, lliendship, books,
Ease and alternate labor, useful d e,
Progressive Virtpe, and approving heaven
lnese are the matchless joys Of YirtuOus love, /
ana lhuh their moments fy.
Extensive Invitations were issued for
0n-far nHaaHnn rf.aN
twelve O'Clock noon, to six o'clo K in
the afternoon, and those who were for
tunate enough 10 go early witnessed the
beautiful and impressive ceremony thar
crowned the day. A number Of reIa-
tives and friends had assembled in the
front parlor. Colonel aud Mrs. Sam
ders were directly under the arch of the
folding doors. An arch beautifully deco
rated with evergreen, and in letters az
green cedar was the date, fifty vears };
/ must here mention that an accident
while riding on horseback more than
year ago, depIives Mrs. Saun-
ders Of the power Of walking or
standing unaided, which made
the following scene all the more tender
and sweet. She sat thus in an armchair,
sweet, benignant, happy expression
beaming on her face. The colonel stood
heside her, looking every inch thecourt-
ly, diguified, high-bOrB gentleman that
nature ordained him. The folding-dOors
were thrown open, and just behind the
aged couple stood their entire surviving
descendants, children and grand-chil-
dren. Out Of family of eleven children,
four only remain, and these all met at
the homestead on this occasion for the
first time in many years; but the re-
union was complete, and under circum-
stances so auspicious and happy that
cannot fail to be forever rememOered and
cherished by each and every one OF
them. Major Robert Saunders, Of No
bile. DR.. Dudley Saunders andhis charm
ing wife, Of Memphis, with their four
children, DR.. and Mrs. Hayes (nee Sal
lie Saundens) OF Florence, Captain and
Mrs. Mcfarland ELLEN Saunders), OF
Memphis, and sweet Lizzie Blair, the
cherished granddaughter, who now pre-
sides at Rocky Hill-those formed a
semi-circle Just behind their parents.
Rev. Mr.. Hawkins called upon the
guests TO rise in prayer, which he Of
fered in the most solemn and appro-
pirate manner, after which the groom
saluted mis- "blushing briden with kiss
as fervent as that Of fifty years ago, and
placed upon her finger q massive ring
with the dates lS24-1s74 engraved there
in. After this, the children crowded
around mothers chair" and kisses,
ssIutations and congratulations followed
from all. These being over, delight
ful collation. was served-me8ts, salads,