The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1874-10-29
AN AIRY WEDDING.
THE FIRST MARRIAGE EVER CELE
DRAFTED IN A BALLOON.

DRAFTED IN A BALLOON.
From the Cincinnati Enquirer. z
1t was a glorious afternoon when
the Hippodrome performance closed
at halt past four yesterday. 1t was
one OF those days, on the very eve oi
INDIAN SUMMER,
When we, in Southern Ohio, rejoice
that we live there. There was a slight
haze hanging over the city that soften
ed, but did not obscure the sunlight.
Both moon and sun were visible !; the
latter sinking, round and lurid, TO the
west; the former rising, pale and
crescent-shaPed from the eastern hills.
A lOvelier wedding hour never dawn
ed on happy bride, and BONNER bride
never welcomed it than Miss Mary
Elizabeth Walsh, equestrienne of Bar
NUNS Roman HippOdrome, who was
to wed in mid-air her affianced, Mr..
Charles M. Cotton, also OF the great
show. The attendants were Miss
Anna Rosetta Yates, the beautiful and
daring equestrienne, and Mr.. w. e.
Coup. Mr.. Barnum's popular business
manager. The officiating minister was
Rev. Mr.. Howard B. Jeffries, of the
Church of Christ, q branch of the
Swedenborgians, of Pittsburgh. The
audience at the great show poured out
to see the ascension. Lincoln Park
and all the adjoining space was filled
with multitude that numbered full
FIFTY THOUSAND PEOPLE,
And which made up, probably, the
largest wedding party on record.
Mr.. Donaldson was ready promptly,
dressed 10 kill, and with bridal favors.
| d Ii -
to bursting, with the best of gas. Her
basket was trimmed with flags and
flowers. The ensigns of America and
Ireland hung gracefully from her. All
that is uusightlv or fOrbidding about
balloon was hidden by the decorat-
ing care of loving hands. Rare bou-
quets hung from the ropes and baskets
OF exotics swung from the lookout" !"
Mr.. d. s. Thomas, the best of "press
agents." had general charge, and not
| even the minutest detail was neglect
! ed. Mr.. P. L. BarDum and his bride
were of the selected company admit
| ted within the ropes A pathway was
kept clear for the ridafproeession, at
the head of which marched the mag
niiiceDt Hippodrome band, playing
MENDELssoHN' S WEDDING MARCH.
The suite entered the basket by
step-ladder, and were soon all ready
to go. Then Mr.. Donaldson found
that the balloon would Gift" seven
people, and Mr.. Thomas was taken in,
boutanere and all. The bridal group
was as picturesque in itself as any we
have ever witnessed, even when all
the fashionable world has filled famous
churches to feast their eyes upon a
long, stylish marriage train.
The girls were fair, good, and ex-
quisitely arrayed. The blonde bride
wore delicate pearl-colored elk,
with bias folds and heavy trimmings
of fringe and putting in the back. Her
hat was the graceful "BriganG," of the
same shade as the dress, with rakish
white feather and .spearl'' bird, the ex-
quisite toilet being completed by white
gloves in dainty hands. The brides
maids toilette was equally elegant, on
basis of black silk, her hat and 9TH
er appointments being the same as the
brides. Mrs. Frank Whitaker, under
Mr.. BarnuIn's carte blanche, had SUI
perintended the toilettes, and they
were perfect. The richly decorated
aerial ship rose as gently, aud as grace
fully, and as beautifully as
O44A44t1 oOAf
And ascended in direct perpendicu-
lar line, while tens of thousands OF
throats shot up their plaudits The
balloon driited slightly TO the north
ward and westward, and In ten min
utes parchute thrown out told that
the nuptial ceremony had been com
pleted. 1t was sent fiuttering down
ward at the precise moment that the
mani Of tho 81,
an ceremony was uttered, as was as
certained subsequently,. The air-ship
took famous trip. She was over al
mile high before the ceremony was
completed. and directly over the
Twenty fourth Ward: Then striking
different current, it floated graceful
ly across the northern portion of the
city, the sun being reflected brightly
from its new coat of varnish, and
typifying to those below the happi-
ness of those who were drifting"
above. Well may the bride forever
remember, aud quote:
No more, no more the worldly shore
Upbraids me with its loud Hproarl
With dreamfql eyes my spirit lies
Under the walls of Paradise %
The voyagers went 10 where they
could look down on Eden Park; then
with another change of current, float
ed westward and settled gently down
down Oh an open lot near the Widows
Home, where a multitude soon sur
rounded them. Carriages had fol-
lowed them from the city our report
er had driven after Them, and while
returning learned the following:
THE MtD-AIR CEREMONY
Had been solemnly performed by Mr..
Jetfries, whose tones never trembled
as he said:
ADDRESS BEFORE THE CEREMONY.
'sMarriage is of love, which imparts
in the realities of life all the charms
of romance. The Creator has, in His
wisdom, so constituted humanity that
the soul hungers and thirsts for love
seeks affinity of soul and when
that is found the two blend theiriden-
tity, love their individuality, and be-
come one in thought, purpose and af-
fection. For the sanctifying of this
union of souls aud to cement these
ties God ordained and instituted mar
riage, declaring that " it was not good
for man to be alone" wherefore He
provided an help-meet for him-"male
and female, created He them"-sent
them forth single pair. one husband.
one wife, dedicating each wholly to
to the other-together to enjoy the
bliss of Eden-together to suffer the
woes of expulsion-to share the joys
of holiness or the miseries of sim"
Then followed the ceremony and
benediction, and then the minister
made the following
REMARKS AFTER CEREMONY,
Marriage is Nnot an errthly but
heavenly institution, belonging to the
higher relations OF life, and as such it
is revered by the enlightened; the
greater the enlightenment of any
coontry or community the greater re-
spect it accords marriage; as an insti-
tuition above those of the world, mere