The Toledo chronicle. [volume] (Toledo, Tama County, Iowa) 1873-1924, 1875-09-30
A Unique Golden Wedding.


THE Boston Journal, In describing the
golden wedding of Mr.. and Mrs. Walter
Farnsworth, in the Roxbury District, says
the invitations (limited to 1907 were print
ed On heavy gold-leaf and framed in glass
~passepartouts. They read as follows:
1S25-August 23d-1S75. Walter Farms
worth (cut of two hands ~grasped), Eliz-
abeth Young. Quietly and without letting
them know anything about it, you are per-
mitted to offer in prose, rhyme or windmill
poetry some efrusion in honor of the golden
anniversary Of the marriage of Waffle Farms
worth with Lizzie Young. All of which
should be sent under cover to William Emer-
son Baker fwho takes the whole responsible
ity of this audacious notice., Is West street,
Boston, in order not TO invade upon the sm-
prise intended from four to eight o'clock,
Monday evening, at which time those whose
convenience will permit may take advantage
of this golden opportunity to call at 81 Mount
Pleasant avenue, and grasp the hands
snapped fifty years ago. As brain illusions
or trihing jeu d'esprit souvenirs only are not
permittable, a suitable detective force win be
stationed at Mount Pleasant home to send
back all nuggets Of gold or other than gold
quarter of a dollar gifts
Nota Bene-Pleasc do not ~tcll-tale this so
that our gold-sealed friends shall hear Of it.
r. S. V. P.
With each invitation WIS also sent a
blue and gold box containing a wine glass
with golden sherry Theoretically sealed in
its double shell side, with this couplct in
cribed in gold leaf: Lizzie and Walter,
may they continue as free from broils and
stews as they have ever been since she
first wore her bridal shoes" The floral
devices were numerous and quaint, con-
sisting of ~circlets, crescents, crowns, ETC.,
and several cones from three to four feet
high, of golden flowers. The large mar
riagc bell, three feet in diameter, was COW
cred with golden rod, maygold and other
created flowers. The comical offerings
from Ridge Hill Farms consisted of three
columns, each four feet high, marked
Choice Roots from Old Mother Earth
Flowers from its surface and Fruits which
grow between it and Heaven" The first
commenced with rows of prize quality
Early Rose potatoes, up to the full corr in
the ear; turnips with dotted eyes and
smooth and with the slender tube root
Standing out as the long nose, etc., sur
mounted by an immense cabbage head,
marked in letters of gold: "Can this B
beet?" the hair indicated by the long
string beans marked: "Not-a-bene.' On
the cabbage stood a comical figure com
posed of corn and its silk sweet potatoes
for legs and arms; a blood beet for head;
gold drops for eye pupils, etc. The sec
ond column was composed of gold-named
flowers and the third of fr~uits-apples,
apricots, peaches, grapes, etc, surmounted
by IN immense California pair, which
latter was marked "All honor to the pair
we ovate.' Two large glass pigs, in them
selves too curious to be described, had
each "A dove on its back, whose bcak was
inserted into the opposite ends of one of
Parkcr's sticks Of bread, which had the
following legend on a tiny banner sus-
pended thertfrom: Been pecking for
fifty years on the same Bakers loaf. We!
Wei Wen"
There were other quaint, comical veg
ctable figures, with enormous onions for
stomachS, etc. There were numerous
sober and intrinsically valuable gifts
gold-headed canes, gold iewelry, dollars,
charms, pcncilcases, card-receivers, etc.
One friend gave goldfish, another an i'm
mensc "gold-skin onion" remarking
that in "onion there is strength" and
therefore he gave lone scent for tribute"
Two of the grandchildren, Eddie and
Walter (Farnsworth) Baker, entered the
large drawing-room drawing six golden
horses, with driver dressed in gold on the
~waggonette, which was loaded with gold
lined porcelain cups, hand mirrors, gold
nest-eggs, etc, and many times this six
golden horse team returned with other
utilitarian as well as comical gifts. One
friend said he was aware twas customary
TO present those marked for distinguished
consideration with a gold snuff box, but
as he was not Cup to snuff" he could
only give the bride half a dozen gold
watches, and accordingly presented her
with that number Of watches, although all
was not gold except that which glittercd,
and that was only FURNISHED. The jokes
were numerous; the garden %shrubbery,
foliage, plants and grass lawn were studded
with red, green and gold gelatine lanterns
winch sparkled and glittercd like immense
rubies and diamonds.