The Jackson standard. [volume] (Jackson C.H., Ohio) 1847-1888, 1882-10-19
Surprise Party.

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Mrs. Mary B. Shepherd widow of the latt
Hezekiah Shepherd, and mother-in-law o.
Mr.. J. M. Evens, of this place. "Matt'
Evens conceived the notion of surprising
the old lady by big party, and wher
"Matt" undertakes anything he works fol-
all there is in it. Fifty invitations were
sent out, besides some verbal invitations
and the result was, the house was filled
with guests. Mrs. Shepherd was spend
ing day or two at the residence of Mr..
J.W. Hank, in jamestown, but rather got
the joke on the surprise party by return
ing when there had but two or three
guests arrived.
By nine o'clock the house was filled
with happy crowd of the old lady's
friends and neighbors, who proceed
ed to make an evening of it." Judge
Miller was in his happiest mood, Judge
Longbon smiled like a book-agent, and
Charley Dickson whispered lovingly to
his many friends.
Uncle Dennison James was present,
and as he had been made the victim of a
surprise party, he enjoyed this one hugo
ly. In fact, everybody enjoyed them
selves. Mrs. Shepherd sat near the CEN
ter of one of the rooms, in a large
easy chair, one of the presents,
while about her were Mrs. Judge Long
bon, Mrs. Harvey Bradshaw, Mrs. Denni-
son James, and other ladies upon whose
heads Time is recording his progress in
letters of silver. After the guests had all
arrived, Rev. w. D. Cherington, of the M.
E. Church, addressed Mrs. Shepherd, in a
feeling address, presenting her, on behalf
of the company, with a large number of
useful and beautiful presents. At the
close of his address, he invoked the Di-
vine blessing upon this good old lady,
who has already passed the allotted
"three score and ten," and upon the hap
py household and the visiting friends.
The old lady, during this time, was af-
fected to tears.
Then came supper. And grand sup
per it was, too! Such supper as Mrs.
Evens should feel proud of. The only
drawback visible in the room in which
we sat was the fact that ourself, Harry
Marshman, Mrs. + annie Martin, John
Hank, John L. Doss, and one or two 9TH
ers, were not feeling well, and could not
do the supper justice-thOugh we perhaps
did ourselves far more than justice. Char
lie Evens did his best to induce us to eat
it was of no use.
How the time flies! When Mrs. Shep-
herd came along, taking her friends by
the hand, she utterly failed to identify
the writer of this, although we have
known her for more than twenty years,
and for some years was her nearest
neighbor.
Perhaps there is no town of the same
size anywhere where the circle of friends
and neighbors is broken less frequently
than in Jackson. Here was Judge Long
bon, looking still young and vigorous
save that his hair and beard are turn
ing white. A large number of those in
the house-nOw parents of families-at-
tended schools taught by him when they
were children. There was O. S. Miller,
still a young man, yet Mrs. j. M. Evens
and oursef attended school taught by
him more than twenty years ago. The
same friendships which existed then, re-
main now, and the community will
doubtless continue in prosperity, happi-
ness and good works long after the crowd
of Monday night shall be peacefully re-
posing in "the lap of earth"
J. M. Evens and Martha his wife-for-
merly Martha Shepherd, have a healthy,
happy family of six children-the eldest,
Charlie, being almost a mana hand
some, manly fellow, who assisted in en-
tertaining the company.
Among the many presents to Mrs.
Shepherd, were large base-rocker easy
chair, beautiful hanging lamp, and a
large number of articles of wearing ap-
parel, and fancy articles. The following
is a list Of contributors:
Mrs. Annie James, j. w. Longbon and wife,
Sam. Baker and wife, T. P: Sutherland and
Martin and wife, G. 8. Dickson and wife, Davis
Mackley and wife, Mrs. Q. c. Miller, James
Mackiey and wife, Mrs Bleichart, s. P. Bald.
ridge and wife, =; G. Miller and wife, Mrs.
and wife, Asa Farrar and wife, II. Marshman
and wife, Eli Aten and wife, J. R: Collier and
snd VIE Cragmt and WIFE. john 5oss and
wife, Mrs. Swanson, II. Gillespie and wife, j.
". Hank and wife, A. w. Long and wife, Jas
James and wife, J. Martin and wife, Geo. BIagg
and wife, N. Lowenstein and wife, Dave Jones
tin and wife, Mrs. D. L. Naclkley, Mrs. Tacy Pc
terSon.
The following persons made individ-
ual presents:
II. G. Miller and wife, O. 8. Miller and wife, c..
N. Martin and wife, j. X; Collier and wife,
Mrs Du Badway, Miss Stella Tripp.