The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1876-06-25
HOW THEY MARRY In TEXAS
FESTIVITIES ara WEDDING FEAST
ON TIE PRIIRIES.


HOME CREEK, Coleman county, Texas,
June Fifty miles from Fort Worth our
party found themselves one Of the most de-
lightful stretches OF prairie land in Western
Texas. II was three days journey to the Twin
Mountains, and we had plenty Of time to
join Col. Hollands party on their return, we
concluded to accompany Captain Haray Parker
Of the La1tte rancho, and three Of his friends to
what he termed one OF the iiveliest weddings
that ever jostled the state o. Texas"
"who's to be married 2" was asked.
"Old Jaquette's daughter. We call him Dom
for short. The girls name Ia Myreen, or some-
thing Of that sort We call her Reene,' and
the chap that's goin' to git her Is old Uvaldes
son Mig the blood that saved her from
pack Of Mexican hounds up the valley Of the Rio
Pecos about ak months ago. News OF this we'd
din has been going the rounds Of the frontier
for some time, and its calculated that the Twin
Mountains will he shaken up before lts over"
SO we set III over the pampas, through heavily
timbered districts. along small streams, on our
way to the home Of Jaquette's 2OO0O acres,
located in the shadow OF the beautiful hills
abovenamed. The ride was a most delightful
one. Parker and his rough looking but brave
companions were interesting and amusing.
Their horsemanship was magnificent and before
the sun went down we had travelled, almost
unconsciously many miles. At last we halted
in front Of the long low building the home "
the Jaquette family, n distant relative of the
original Austin. who was the largest landholdor
In his time In Texas,
our horses were cared for ana were intro
duced to the Don He was Nifty years Of age in
looks he seemed but thlrty-nve Straight as an
arrow. cold an iceberg. black eyed and black
haired. he looked lord aud master all his
people. The wife was bent and gray, but must
have been beautiful in her younger years. Fully
nifty young representative Texan drovers were
In tents and in the outbuildings waltz ng for the
morrow.
pared. We were shown into "A large room Of the
house that looked more like forest than par
before the wedding ceremony. We were then
conducted to the park or garden magnificent
grove OF cedar. pine some orange aud maple.
THE GUESTS
Guests from far and wide had arrived In .wae-
ons and on horseback Backwoods maldena
and stalwart cattle keepers in stad and gay
colors. sun bonnets and huckskins, were chat
ting and gp.siping under the trees, the same az
seemed 20 have clusters Of flowers and for
time those rough and sturdy men of the plains
suffered their broad sonbreros to be orna-
mentrd with wreath- and their brows bound
with gay handkerchiefs 10y fair aud gentle hands
The relatives Of the bride were side of
the garden. Her cousins were mounted on purs
ON the Opposite side n noble looking BODY 81
! people Even here was TO be seen the out crop.
! ping 81 rude frontier society Both families
were jealous rivals. The union Of tho two
children was to unite two Of the largest landed
estates in Western Texas, aud terminate further
rivalry between the two families. Both houses,
therefore, kept respectful distance, and one
Wed with the other In frontier dress. and dis
play
+ hundred people present were turned toward the
. mansion. a procession came from the front
. | door. such ~ these frontiersmen mud probably
} minister's Reys Thomas and Henriqucs. who
A had come two hundred miles To perform the
to ~ ala ia wal ed ia ter "a
bride; then came the mother Of young lvaldi,
o and 10y her side walked TIE groom, and behind
/ mother. \ few more ladics and gentlemen fol-
ip 3,, In me centre OF the garden was beau
o marriage ceremony was performed
= was permitted To have position wen up IN
= the bride. She was dark a. her father, and her
, eyes were moist with silvery tears shadowcd bv
Il heavy brows and lashes. Her raven black hair
hung In curly rnglcts down her back. aud two
= among them Her dress was 81 whit ATTN,
p, trimmed win gold, reaching Just +" her anNlrsi
necelace Of pearls encircled her white round
r height vel looked small by The side Of tho iail
aud we'll shaped man who was To he her husband
0 He was dressed In a huc>skin suit richly urna-
r mented. The suit came from the CheroAeo
r country He had long. brown hair sharp gray
: ewes. regular features, and was handsome
b. man standing ~iH feet three inches aud weigh
d | ing two hundred ana eighty pounds.
TnE MARRIAGE CEREMONY.
In the form OF a hall circle the bride and groom,
~ the center They a stood IN white haired
hlle.. specially tanned for the occasion. Before
n the ceremony the father Of the bride made a
signal and two men came forward with bon
That box contained $1,000 in gold. The grooin's
I father also made signal. and another box Of
8 followed the presentation ~ titles and deeds oi
y aNast estate. in all amounting 70 about 5iH
! acres 81 the best land in Western Texas. After
= this the ministers married them In a simple
, sNleacr"rding 70 the forms aud ceremonies ot
The wedding ring was Of heavy gold. and 10
i return No bride presented her husband with {,
. whci the bcncdlclon was pronounced the
r yY"nI Texan rangers crowded out the old pep'
o pl' and with - ir broad palms they shook tns
!. happy pair heartily ny the hands.
a Mao way, said tie groom, e give the boy.
Z arhhuce. Every one 81 Nuu come forward. ri ghi
a here want to see You all have good time"
= The hrawny arms of the cattle droNors were
= extended i'm JOYOUS consu' ulatinns, the music
OF the violin, hani". and tanhourine struck up
and ~ q few minutes the grove resen1ed Z
/ Among the company were four or Ave bcauti.
z ~ rtnr"on' IA red dresses low,necked waists
1 only ornaments They formed set with ai
l many wHd-luoking cattle owners, anu they
danced cpiillion with the ease and grace II
= raj guitar players, all women. who were singing
w,T pex$,,, yT ,nI ni,, "!a lac, lao
) c9uth fantastic turn aud twist that Requires
L plenty uf action and -treusi % la the limbs sash
= fnl young men r" irru aud INDUCED ina mustang
d race others had a quoting match, and SUI
u DINERS threw huNrs. jumped, ran elevated
j. heavy weights. and the rest ~ the men -innd
aside and talNcd Of the sport, of the chase. lu,i.
. tics, and the cattle trade Refreshments fll
y lowed in close order. Wine and whi-h"y were
1 ~ hnundc-, pro!u,ion. songs were sung, and
= the Violin, guitar, lccurlruu tamhourine, and
p iute sounded louder and luuder.
q The grove va, ne -'rur 81 joy and hilarity al
+ nuuu when the horn ,fd, suuudr and the AN.
T. nnuucomeut for dinner was NADIA. The rri -
T. Wa PLAIN hut -urstautinl All there was to at
d wa. lIlgd upon the table, Enough had been
pNrr'd to feed hyc huDdleI people. Iwd
o young oxen lad been roasted, and Nrgeia' ie,
e had been provided .u the simt lavish manner
4 The cellar WAS nlled with VINE. native and for
IA cgn, and the groom chucklri inwttdb a, ha
u whispered to a frieud that lie intended 10 send
9 them all home with a bug in their ear
9 BHIp\L GIFTS,
: While they were At dinner. opportunity Wal,
I gNeu 10 lopN a. some ut IA" pr'-eut- The groom
:. had received a lur Ms.i,tn sad lie. "A - d. II
. heavy pistols a hridl" made ~ plated hair. a
hrlui pa! liver mounted unc, plated hair las
4 50. silver flask, long dagger, pair Of high TON
hontS of alligator leather. set Of rifle arcoil' re-.
mem :, silver tobacco box, silver plated spurs Ad
lItt li'. that tl,p ID 4