Western sentinel. [volume] (Winston [i.e. Winston-Salem], N.C.) 1856-1886, 1879-11-20
A LEADVILLE MARRIAGE.

There is no doubt that the Rcc-
tor of St. Georges Church. Lead
vile, belongs TO the Church Milit-
ant. He has just proved it beyond
contradiction, and at this moment
public sentiment in Leadvllle pro
nounces him the ablest and most
powerful clergyman for his weight
in the United States, while COM
mittec of leading citizens is about
to present him with a silver>monnt-
ed revolver as testimony of re-
spect and admiration.
The Rev. Mr.. Withers earned
this cnviable reputation few
weeks ago while engaged in marry
ing the well-known Mr.. Roaring
Bill to one of the most beautiful
and accomplished daughters of
Leadville. The bridegroom was a
man of most excellent reputation,
having killed three men in hand
to-hard fights, and wounded a
number of others. He was not
accompanied to the altar by any
groolnsman, and the bride was
similarly devoid of bridesmaids,
though their place was to some ex-
tent taken by her three brothers.
Mr. Withers, who up to that time
had been known as an extremely
peaceable man, and was not sup
posed to have a particle of fighting
ability about him, and had been
warned that the bridegroom was
very quick-tcmpcred and exceed
ingly jealous, and that he would
do we'll to "ladlc out the service
pretty considerable mild" To
this warning, however, he paid no
attention, being determined to do
his duty, no matter what tie con-
sequences might be,
The service proceeded smoothly
until tic clergyman reached the
point where he asked the bride
groam it he took the "woman" to
be his welded wife. To this Mr..
Roaring Bill replied by remarking
that he was about to marry a
'slady," and that any man Who
called her "womano must be re-
markably anxious to incur the ex-
pensc Of a personal funeral. Pay
ing no attention to this remark,
the clergyman proceeded, and
inquired if the bridegroom wonld
promise to love, cherish and pro
tect the bride. This was regarded
by Mr.. Roaring Bill in the light Of
an unnecessary asking of foolish
questions. "In course l d. he
replied; "what do you take me
tor2 DO you mean to insinuate
that / am a playin' it on hera I
want you to understand that
thishyer's square deal, and if you
don't just 60 ahead with your
marryin' and drop this askin' CT
impertincnt questions, it'll lead to
difficulties. You hear me-" Still
the courageous clergyman, needless
of the brewing storm, ignored the
bridegroom's interruption, and read
the service with cool and steady
courage. Presently, he inquired
of the bride if she would promise
to love, honor and obey her hus-
band. At this point the latter
drew his revolver and informed the
clergyman that he was fast ripen-
I ing fer the grave. ''Any moro
personal questions will require me
TO answer with thishyer wecpon.
don't wish to make a row in {
church, but if you will have one
Just continue as you have begun
I'm a peaceahle, long-suffrin' mal
but the holiest feelin's of this lady
heart isn't goin' to be pried into h1
no man without he hears from me-
Still the clergyman pursued thu
even tenor of his way. One NIGH
have imagined that he was deaf, 81
regular responses made by th
bridegroom. The spectators VIII
had assembled to witness the eere-
mony were making bets freely a
TO whether Mr.. Bill would kill hin
at the first fire, or whether b
wonld merely mark him with
bullet for future identitication.-
Contrary to the general anticipa
ton, the bridegroom made D
. further interruption either by wor
or bullet, and the ceremony cam
to an end. All might have ende
peaceably had not Nj. Wither'
: determined to do his whole dnty
: supplemented the ceremony b
: kissing the bride.
The first bullet missed its mari
ard the bridegroom, while pausin
to adjust his aim, remarked th;
'sthis painful Immortality on I'll
\ clergy must be checked" just ;
e he was about to fire the secong sht
: having got the clergylnan's rigl
d ear in line-the brother of tl
> bride sprang on him and took ava