Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 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
passe-partOuts. They read as follows:
1S25--August 23d-fS15. 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 effusion 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 (who takes the whole responsible
ity of this audacious notice., Is West street,
Boston, in order not to invade upon the sur
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 effusons
or trifiing jeo d'eSprjt souvenirs only are not
permittable, a suitable detective force will be
stationed at Mount Pleasant home to send
back all nuggets of gold or other than gold
quarter of a dollar gifts.
Nota Bene-Please do not tell-tae this so
that our gold-sealed friends shall hear of it.
r. S. VP
With each invitation was also sent q
blue and gold box containing a wine glass
with golden sherry Theoretically sealed in
its double shell side, with this couplet 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
rage 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
1S-il
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 fruits-apples,
apricots, peaches, grapes, ETC., surmounted
by an 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 dove Oh its back, whose beak was
Inserted into the opposite ends of one of
Parker's sticks of bread, which had the
following legend on tiny banner sus-
pended therefrom: "Been pecking for
fifty years on the same Bakers loaf We!
Wei! We!m
There were other quaint, comical veg
etable figures, with enormous onions for
stomachs, etc. There were numerous
sober and intrinsically valuable gifts
gold-headed canes, gold jewelry, dollars,
charms, pencil-cases, card-receivers, etc.
One friend gave goldfish, another an i'm
mense "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 it was customary
to present those marked for distinguished
consideration with gold snuff-box, but
as he was not up 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 glittered
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
which sparkled and glittered like immense
rubies and diamonds.
~ r.. IL