The new dominion. [volume] (Morgantown, W. Va.) 1876-1904, 1881-12-03
AGExUENE LOVE MATCH.
The SON ora Retired Merchant
NEarries IN ShOeHaas<er's
Daughter.
From the New York World.

MRrries ahOeHaa1<er's
Daughter
From the New York World.
Mr., William L. Swan was married
to Miss Belle Thurston last Wednes-
day afternoon in the village church
at Oyster Bay, L. l., after long
courtship, which as narrated by the
Brookly Eagle, was made eventfu by
the determined hostility to the mar
riage OF the bridegroom's parents, on
account of the disparity in the social
position of the parties. Mr., Swan
is the son Of Benjamin l.. Swan, jr.,
a retired merchant, who has hand
some country seat at Oyster Bay,
and the bride is the daughter OF q
shoemaker in humble circumstances
in the village. Young Mr.. Swan is
graduate of Princeton College, and
of the Columbia College Law School,
and was one of the organizers and
the first Commodore of the Seawan-
haka Yacht Club. He formerly own
ed the yacht Ariel, which was built
for him at cost of 100000 and
which cost him about $4,000 year
to maintain, He WIGS q member of
the Union Club in this city, and the
South Side Sportsmen Club, which
has its headquarters at Oakdale, l..
l., and was we'll known in society
circles in this city and at Newport
and other resorts.
Mr.. Swan owned large estate,
and entrusted the management Of
his property to his uncle, Otis Swan,
who was a prominent broker in Wall
street. For time he prospered by
his uncle's shrewd investments, but
a few years ago the uncle failed, and
the nephew lost 100000 by the fail
ure and was left almost bankrupt.
His yacht was libeled, and he trans
ferred all his property to his father
He sold his yacht TO Congressman
Wright, Of California, for $4,000,
and it cost him $1,000 to deliver her.
From the time of the transfer of his
property until recently he had no set
tied income, but his father restored
his property to him a few months
ago, and his income from that source
is now about $4,000 year After
the loss of his property Mr. w. l..
Swan took up his residence with his
father at the latter's country seat at
Oyster Bay. Both attended the
Presbyterian Church in the village
and devoted much time and money
to the improvement of the musical
part of the service.
William Swan is q skilled perfor-
mer on the organ and took the post
of organist in the church. Mr.. Geo.
Bont was engaged as cornet player,
and among the members Of an cle-
giant choir that was organized was
Miss Belle Thurston, who sang so
prano parts. 1t was under these cir
cumstances that Mr. Swan made the
acquaintance of Miss Thurston, and
their friendship soon resulted in mu-
tual affection and ciandestine court
ship. Mr.. Thurston, however, oh
iected to secret attentions being paid
to his daughter, aud Mr. Swan be-
gan to pay his attentions openly to
the young lady. About eighteen
months ago Mr.. Swan Informed his
father that he had entered into an
engagement Of marriage with Miss
Thurston, and his father, his sisters,
and many of his friends Immediately
declared themselves in opposition to
the match. Mr.. Swan removed from
his fathers home and became boar
der at Blacks Hotel in Oyster Bay
village, and his attentions to Miss
Thurston became more pronounced
than ever.
Last Wednesday afternoon was fix
ed for the wedding, and long befol e
the hour for the ceremony to take
place the little church, which had
been lavishly decorated with flowers,
was filled with the villagers, but the
family of the bridegroom and the
other prominent residents Of the
neighborhood were conspicuous by
their absence. Miss Swan, the
bridegroom sister, drove through
the village in the morning accom-
panied by her maid, but'did not call
upon her brother nor visit the church
and the bridegroom's father and
mother had left the place on the pre-
vious Saturday. The bride and
groom arrived at the church in a
rockaway wagon at 1870. The bride
was dressed in plum colored silk
with train and the customary veil
aud wreath Of orange blossoms. The
groom wore a dark frock coat and
vest and drab trousers. The cere-
mony was performed by the pastor,
the Rev. Mr.. Russell, and after a
brief reception at the home Of the
brides father, the newly married
couple started on a wedding tour I'd
! Canada.