Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1881-10-04
A Leadville Marriage.

There is no doubt that the rector of st.
Georges church, Leadville, belongs to
;he church Militant. He has just prov
I'D 1t beyond contradiction, and at this
moment public sentiment in Leadville |
him the ablest and most
powerful clergyman for his weight In
The United States, while committee OF
leading citizens is about to present him
with q silver-mounted revolver as q |
testimony of respect and admiration.
The Rev. Mr.. WitheTs earned this
enyiable reputation few weeks ago
while engaging in marrying the we'll
known Mr.. Roaring Bill to one of the
most beautiful and accomplished daugh-
tiers of Leadville. The bridegroom was
a man of most excellent reputation, hav-
ing killed three men in hand-to.hand
fights, and wounded number OF others.
He was not accompanied to the altar by
any groomsman, and the bride was
devoid of bridesmaids, though
their place was to some extent taken by
her three brothers.
Mr.. Withers, who up to that time had
been known as an extremely peaceable
man, and was not supposed to have q
particle of fighting ability about him,
had been warned that the bridegroom
was quick tempered and exceedingly
Jealous, and that he would do well 10
BILE mild" To this warning, however,
he paid no attention, being determined
to do his duty, no matter what the con-
sequences might be.
The service proceeded smoothly 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 remark
ing that he was about to marry gladly"
and that any man who called her Two.
man" must be remarkably anxious to
incur the expense of q personal funeral.
Paying no attention to this remark, the
clergyman proceeded. and inquired if
the bride-g groom 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
questions. I'm course do" he replied,
''what do you take me for? Do you
mean to insinuate that I am playin' it
onto her? want you to understand
that this yere's square deal, and If you
don't just 60 ahead with your margin /,
and drop this asking of impertinent
questions, it'll lead to difficulties. You
hear me-" Still the courageous clergy
man, needless of the brewing storm,
ignored the bridegroom's Interruptions,
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 husband. At this
point the latter drew his revolver and
Informed the clergyman that he was
fast ripening for the grave. ANY more
personal questions will require me to
answer with this yer weepon. I don't
wish to make row in church, but If
you will have one, just continue what
you have begun. I'm peaceable, long
sufferin' man, but the hottest feelin's Of
this lady's heart isn't goin' to be pried
into by no man without he hears from
me-"
Still the clergyman pursued the even
tenor of his way. One might have i'm
agined that he was deaf, so utterly heed
less was he of the irregular responses
made by the bridegroom. The specta-
tors who had assembled to witness the
ceremony were making bets freely as to
whether Mr.. Bill would kill him him at
the first fire or whether he would mere
ly mark him with bullet for future
Identification. Contrary to general
anticipation, the bridegroom made no
further interruption, either by word or
bullet, and the ceremony came to an
end. All might have ended peaceably,
had not Mr.. Withers determined to do
his whole duty, supplemented the cere-
mony 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 a.
bout to fire the second shot-having got
the clegyman's right ear in line-the
brother of the bride sprang on him and
took away his pistol. At the same mo-
ment Mr.. Withers tore off his surplice,
and, leaping over the railing, struck
out at Mr.. Roaring Bill in most beau
tiful and scientific way.
A ring was Immediately formed. The
bride climbed on the baptismal font and
alternately encouraged each combatant
with such inspiring remarks as, snow,
"Hooray, Parson, the eyes ofthe Church
a little man I" The eager spectators
swarmed into church and fought for
good positions in the pulpit. The bet
ting at first was on the bridegroom, but
at the end of ten minutes large odds
were offered on the clergyman. His
couraged was undoubted, and his pu-
gilistic skill was simply astounding
His adversary never touched him, while
the clergyman danced around him, now
closing an eye and now shaking the
foundations of his teeth with smiling
confidence that created the widest en-
thusiasm. In twenty minutes and five
rounds he had reduced his man to per-
feet helplessness. Mr.. Roaring Bill
cried enough" the spectators cheered,
and the bride descending from her perch,
kissed the clergyman with hearty frank.
ness, and informed him that she should
never allow any husband of hers to
come between her and her religion.
Such was the public enthusiasm in
Leadville over the clergyman's victory
that no less than thirty leading citizens
came forward and offered to be confirm.
ed as an evidence of their goodwill,
provided the rector would refrain from
interfering with card playing and other
usual Sunday recreations. As has been
said, the admiration of Leadville is a.
bout to be expressed in silver-mouEted
pistols, and there is no doubt that the
prosperity of st. Georges church and
the popularity of Mr.. Withers are fully
assured.
WHO FOUNDED THE FREE SCHOOLS p
Capt. Mckinney In his speech at Han.