The New Orleans daily Democrat. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1877-1880, 1879-11-14
A LEADyILLE MARRIAGE.
How Clergyman Of the Church Militant
Insisted Upon The Orthodox Ceremony
and What Game Of IL.
INnw York TImeH.l

1,bara ii no doubt that the rector Of st.
Georges Church. Leadvlle belongs t. the
Church Militant. lie haa Just proved 1T be-
vnnd contradiction and at this moment public
aaentiment In Loadvila prononnces him the
nbltat and most powerful clergyman for his
weight III the United States, while commit
nv, iii leading citizens Is about to present him
with alver-mountad revolver a. testimony
OF respect and admiration
The Rev Mr.. Withers earned this nnylnbla
reputation few weeks ago while engaged. ~
marrying the wel-known Mt. Roaring Bill
To one ofthe most beautiful ", ana aeeompl.snea
q man OF most exeallent reputation, having
killed. three men iii haDd-tO-hani fights and
wounded number OF others. Lie was mol
accompanied to the altar by any groomsman
and the bride was similarly devoid OF brides
maids, though their place was to some extent
taken by her three brothers. Mr. Withera,
who I'D to that time had been known as m
extremely peaceabie man, and was mol sup
posed To have particle Of lighting ability
about him, had been warned that the
bridegroom was very quick tempered aud
exceedingly jealous. and that ne would do
we'll to liable out the service pretty consider
able mild" To thls warning r ., however, ne ne
duty. no matter what the consequences might
The service proceeded smoothly until the
Clergyman reached the point where he asked
the Bridegroom If he took the woman 70 he
his welded wife. To tbis Mr.. Roaring Bill
replied by remarking that he was about to
marry ''lady, and that any man who called
her woman must be. remarkably anxious
70 incur the expense q personal funeral ~
clergyman proceeded and Inquired u the
bridegroom would promise to love, eherisl,
and protect the bride. This was regarded
by Mr.. Roaring Bill u the llsht u ~ w,
course ID" he replied: what do you take
tine fur2 DO you mean to insinuate that am
playin' II onto herr ! want you 70 under
stand that this hyer's square deal. and u you
don't just gp ahead with your marryin and
drop this asliR' of impertinent questions. It'll
lead to difficulties. You hear me" SUI the
courageous clergyman, needless Of the brew
Ing storm, Ignored the brtdagroom's inter
ruptjons, and read the service with cool and
steady courage. Presently, he inquired OF
the bride II she would promise to love, honor
and obey her husband. At thls point the
latter drew his revolver and informed the
Clergyman that he was fast ripening for tho
grave. aAny more personal questions Will
require me to answer with this hyer weapon,
don't wiah to make row III a church, but
II you will have one just continue - you have
begun. I'm neaeaahle. lnng-sutIerin man,
but the hoilest feelins Of this lady's heart
isn't goin' I'd be pried into by no man without
he hears from me
Still the clergyman pursued the even tenor
Ill bis way. One might have imagined that
he was deaf 60 utterly Needless was he of tho
Irregular responses made By the bridegroom.
The spectators who had assembled to Witness
the ceremony were making bets freely as to
whether Mr.. Bill would kill him ut the first
Hire Or whether he would merely mark bin
with bullet for future Identification. Con-
trary to the general anticipation. the bride
groom made no further interruption. either
BY word or bullet, and the ceremony came to
nn end. All might have ended peaceably had
not Mr.. Withers, determined to do his whole
duty. supplemented the ceremony by kissing
the bride.
The first bullet missed It's mark, and tho
bridegroom while pausing to adjust hla aim.
the part Of the clergy must he checked
just as he was about to fire the second shot
having got the cergyman'a right ear In line
the brother OF the bride sprang on him and
took away his pistol. At the same moment
Mr.. Wlthars tore off his aurpllee. aud leap
ing over the railing struck out at Mr.. Roar
Ing Bill In most beautiful and scientific
way.
climbed ON the haptismal font aud alternately
! encouraged each eombatant with such In
sptriting remarks as. Now, then, Bill, bust
him In the eye" or, "Hooray. Paraon, the
eyes Of the Church is on you Back up your
religion like little man. The eager specta-
tors awarned into the church and fought for
good positions In the pulpit. The betting 81
firsu was on the bridegroom, but at the end Of
ten minutes large odds were offered on the
olerAynaan. His courage was undonhted, and
Higadversary scarcely touched him. while
thetlergyman danced around him, now clos
ingfan eye and now shaking the foundations
OF lM.s seeth with smiling confidence that
crealeS the widest enthusiasm. In twenty
mInutas and five rounds he had reduced his
man tS perfect helplessness. Nj. Roaring
bill cried enough" the spectators cheerel,
and the BRIDE descending from her perch
kissed the clergyman with hearty frankness
and informed him that she should never al
low any husband of hers to come between
her and her religion.
Such was the public enthusiasm IN Lead
vile over the clergyman's Victory that no less
than thirty leading citizens came forward
aud offered to be confirmed as an evidence OF
their good will. provided the rector would re-
frain from Interfering with ard-playing and
other usual Sunday reoreat.ons. Az has been
said, the admiration Of Leadville IS about to
be expressed Id silver-mounted pistols. and
there Ia no doubt the prosperity Of st..
Georges Church and the popularity Of MI.
Withers are fully assured.