Ashtabula telegraph. (Ashtabula, Ohio) 1874-1880, 1879-11-28
ALeadville Marriage.


timent in Leadville pronounees him
the ablest and most powerful clergy
man for his weight in the United
States, while a committee Of leading
citizens is about to present him with
a silver-mOunted revolver as a testi-
mony of respect and admiration.
The Reverned Mr.. Withers earned
this enviable reputation a few weeks
ago while engaged in marrying the
wen-known Mr.. Buffalo Bill to one
of the most beautiful and accomp-
ished daughters of Leadville. The
bridegroom was man of most ex-
cellent reputation, having killed
three men in hand-to-hand fights
and wounded a number of othes.
He was not accompanied to the al
tar by any groomsman, and the bride
was equally devoid of bridesmaids,
though their place was filed to some
extent by her three brothers. Mr..
Withers, who up to that time had
been known as an extremely peaeea-
bic man, and was not supposed to
have particle of fighting ability
about him, had been warned that the
bridegroom was very quick-tempered
and exceedingly Jealous, and that he
would do well to "ladle out the SER
vice pretty considerably mild" To
this warning he paid no attention,
being determined to do his duty, no
matter what the consequences might
be. The service proceeded smooth
ly until the clergyman reached the
point where he asked the bridegroom
if he took the "woman" to be his
welded wife. To this Mr.. Roaring
Bill replied by remarking that he
was about to marry a "lady," and
that any man who called her wo-
man must be mighty anxious to in
cur the expenses of a persOnel fune-
raj Paying no attention to this re-
mark, the clergyman proceeded, and
if the bridegroom would
promise to love, cherish, and protect
the bride. This was regarded by
Mr.. Roaring Bill in the light of an
unnecessary asking of foolish ques-
tions. ain course l do" he replied;
"what do you take me for? Do
you mean to insinuate that l am a
playin' it onto her ? 1 want you to
that thishyer's a square
deal, and if you don't Just go ahead
with your marryin' and drop this
askin' of impertinent questions, it'll
lead to difficulties. You hear me-"
Still the courageous clergyman, heed
less of the brewing storm, ignored
the bridegroom's Interruptions. and
read the service with cool and steady
courage. Presently, he enquired
of the bride if she would promise
to love, cherish, and obey her hus-
band. At this point, the latter drew
his revolver and informed the eler-
gilman that he was fast ripening for
the grave. "Any more personel
questions will require me to answer
with thishyer weepon. don't wish
to make a row in a church, but if
you will have one, just continue as
you have begun. Pm a peaceable,
long-sufferin' man, but the hoiest
feelin's of this lady's heart isn't gOin'
to be pried into by no man witout he
hears from me-"
Still the clergyman pursued the
even tenor of his way. One might
have imagined that he was deaf, so
utterly needless was be of the irreg-
ular responses made by the BRIDE
groom. The spectators who had
to witness the ceremony
were making bets freely as to wheth-
er Mr.. Bill wOnld kill him at the
first fire OF whether he would mere
ly mark him with bullet for future
Identification. Contrary to the gen
eral anticipation, the bridegroom
made no farther interruption, either
by word or bullet, and the ceremony
came to an end. All might have
ended peaceable had not Mr.. With
ers, determined to do his whole duty
by kissing the bride.
The first bullet missed its mark,
and the bridegroom, while pausing
to adjust his aim, remarked that
''this painful immortality on the part
of the clergy must be checked"
just as he was about to fire the sec
ond shot.-having got the the clergy
mans right ear in lne-the brother
of the bride sprang on him and took
away his pistol. At the same mo-
ment, Mr.. Withers tore off his sur
plice, and, leaping over the railing,
struck out at Mr.. Roaring Bill in a
most beautiful and scientific way.
A ring was Immediately formed.
The bride climbed on the baptismal
font and alternately encouraged
each combatant with such insDirit-
ing remarks as, "Now, then, Bill
bust him in the eye, or, "Hooray,
parson, the eyes of the Church is on
you! Back up your religion like a
little mani" Tue eager spectators
swarmed into the church and fought
for good positions in the pulpit.
The betting at first was on the bride
groom, but at the end of ten minutes
.arge odds were offered on the cergy-
nan. His courage was undoubted,
and bis pugilistic skill was simply
His adversary scarce
" touched him, while the clergyman
danced around him, now closing in
and now shaking the foundation of
his teeth with a smiling confidence
that created the widest enthusiasm.
In twenty minutes and FIVE rounds
he had reduced his man to perfect
Mr.. Roaring Bill cried
enough" the spectators cheered,
md the bride, descending from her
perch, kissed the clergyman with
hearty frankness, and informed him
hat she should never allow nay hus-
band of hers to come between her
md her religion.
Such was the public enthusiasm in
Leadville over the clergyman's vic
.ory that no less than thirty leading