New-York tribune., 1878-06-25
MARRIED FIFTY YEARS.


oRATE THE PiFTTETH ANNIVERSARY OF HIS
MARRIAGE TO MELISSA PHELPs-ADDREssEs BY
Dr. ADAMS, Mr.. DODGE AND OTHERS AND A
POEM by r. C. sTEDMAN.
William E. Dodge and lbs wife yesterday cole
brated their golden wedding at their country
house on the banks of the Hudson at Tarry-
town, surrounded by children, grandchildren and
friends. The youngest grandchld was christened.
Speeches were made by Mr.. Dodge, his sons the
Rev. Dr. Adams, and others, and Z. c. Stodman
read poem written for the occasion.
CEREMONIES AND CONGRATULATIONS.
The grounds around the Dodge country
house, at TarTytown, sloping down TO the Hudson
always beautiful, but yesterday they had as
sumed brighter and more attractive appearance
than usual Wreaths OF evergreen gave an air
of lghtness TO the massive stone posts of the
gateway and little further along the drive passed
under arch Of evergreens and flags High
upon the front of this arch we're the figures
"lS2S-lS7S." made of bright flowers. A similar
decoration was over the steps leading the main
trance Of the house. On the lawn handsome marquee
had been pitched. Two yachts the Hudson
gay decorated with bunting OF many colors. and at in
tervals wakened the echoes from the hills by sautes
from their guns.
The formal reception hours were from until p. M,
but at the members of the family, relatives and
intimate friends gathered in the drawingroom. There
were Mr. and Mrs Dodge and their
sons-William E., jr., Arson p, u. Stuart (lrom Bey
rout, syrial, Charles c. Arthur NJ, George E. and
Norman W., with their families There are fourteen
grandchildren in all but yesterday ouly nine
the celebration. The intimate friends present were
the Rev. DR.. NJ r. Vincent, Of the Church or the
Covenant, Dir. Dodge's pastor; the Rev. Drs Will
liam Adams and II. Eaton; L. @. stedman, who
is nephew Of Mr. Dodge; William Walter Phelps,
Mrs. T. c. Kinney, Mr. Dodge's only surviving
Nrs Pond
White. and Mrs EgGestOne. OF Lenox, Mass. The last
five named were also present at the wedding,
which took place June 24, 1925 at No 80 C-st. New
York That the home of the bride. Melissa Phelps
Norman White acted as grOOmsman
Fhe ceremonies OF the golden wedding day began with
the Christening Of the youngest Of Mr.. DOdge's
youngest Arthur, infant only six weeks
old. The Rev. d. Stuart Dodge baptized the
child, naming him Murray Witherby After the
christening breakfast had been eaten, the family
party gathered in the drawngrOom again. William Z.
Dodge r being the eldest son. acted master Of core
MONIES and after few words Of cOngratularou TO his
father and mother asked Dr. Vincent to pray
William E. Dodge then gave expression 70 the
happiness he felt briefly reviewing his married life.
touching generally upon matters Of private family IN
terest He referred in terms of affection the Rev. Dr.
Gardner Spring the clergyman who had per
formed the wedding service I'm the house in
Clif-st. Appropriate remarks followed from the
sons Anson P the Rev. D. Stuart and General Charles
@. Dodge. Then William L. Dodge, jr.. read poem
written by Mrs Kinney, the mother OF the poet sted-
man. Z. c. stedman himself next read poem
which he called Christian aud Chrisuana." writ
ten for the occasion. This is given below.
Mr.. Stedman prefaced 1t by reading a short extract
from Bunyan's Pilgrims Progress The Rev. Dr.
Adams, and the Rev Dr. II. Eaton, Of Palmyra, New
York both old friends OF Mr. Dodge, rendered their
gTatuatiOns m brief speeches pOcu written by
neighbor. Mrs Bottomo, read by William L. Dodge r
By this time 1t was o'clock and the friends from the
city began 10 arrive THev came by special train,
There the Rev Drs. McCOsh, g. Irengus
Prime, C. s. Burchard. the Rev. Mr.. Bevan, Dr. VIII
lard Parker, John Taylor Johnston, James stokes ex
Governor Jewell, the Hon. John Bigelow, Galusha A.
Grow. William Wood, J. J. BLAIR. BENJAMIN A. Willis
Isaac y. Phelps, ex-Mayor Wiekham, Salem h. Wales
David D0Ws. Cyrus W. Field, }. 5. T. Stranahan s. B.
Chltlenden, /, l.. Delaficld, Benjamin II. Field 5 b.
SChleiffn, John A. Jones, john +. Parsons, DE-, C. X
Aguew, Elhu Root, W. II. Lee, T. 8. Jatray, John H.
Charles Rogers A L. Donnls, Samuel sloan,
D. Willis James, NJ. X. Jesup, b. r. Batter, General
Clinton b. Fske, Waldo Butchns the Reg Dr. Newell,
Henry II. Anderson, Charles r. l1h6ny, the Rev. Dr
Ersne White, ID. II. McApiu. the Rev T. Ralston smn,
Tu0ipas G. Doremus James Renwlok. Robert Hoe, W. Il.
were accompanied by their wives. Many young ladies
were present in handsome afternoon toilets, aud alto
gather IL was a brilliant party.
At noon the sky had been overcast and rain was
threatening. But when the guests arrived, filing the
bOuse and overlooking through hr broad piazzas into
the grounds The clouds had disappeared the SKY was
blue and the shOnc out nrgnuy. A portion OF
Thomas's orchestra sat under the trees aud furnished
music. The guests having congratulated the bride ana
groom, paying them mday compliments aud assur-
ing them that they Looked Nel aud not at
all as frightened they had looked utty years
ago, passed mo the room where lAe IeIlgsh- gLs
az will unu halt past O'Clock Then there was hurry
aud hustle TO catch special tram back 20 NcW-IOrk
by o'clock most Of the guests bad departed.