Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1883-05-25


The Chattanooga papers of yester-
day contain full description Of the
golden wedding,-er fftieth anniver-
sary of the marriage Of the venerable
7. Nixon Van Dyke and his wife, nee
Eliza A, Deaderick, which was form
ally and brilliantly celebrated at
Prospect Hill, their beautiful resi-
dence near Athens, East Tennessee
last Wednesday night. They were
married in Athens May %, 1893. A
large party of relatives and friends,
including gmany prominent people, went
up romChattanooga on special train,
and thus the best society people Of the
tEop places were brought together. The
grounds were lighted by Chinese LAM
terms in countless profusion, aud the
splendid mansion was brilliantly il
Illuminated. There we're present sixty
four relatives aud three hundred
other friends. At aiHe o'clock the
aged couple entered and we're seated
in the parlors. Prayer was offered by
Rev. j. w. Backman, and an eloquent
address was made by Rev. e. A Ram
sey, both Presbyterian ministers. W.T..
Lane, Esq presented an elegant sill
yer service, suitably eRgFaVoa, on
behalf Of the Cleveland barr Judge
.. NJ. Key presented superb medal
and Bible on behalf Of the Chatta-
noogs 5aF, making feliCitOus address
He read also proceedings Gf 3 meeting
of the Chattanooga bar. transcribed on
parchment, in which the character
and g9qdDess of the couple were re
viewed in on elogqeAt paRegyric
Judge FanDyke stood up alone and in
eloquent terms expressed his heartfelt
thanks for the hohors bestowed, and
sincere appreciation Of the tokens Of
esteem and regard. He presented a
splendid appearance as he stood sur.
rounded by his children and grand
children In the midst OF the thronged
room, his snow white locks reaching
| far below his shoulder, and as he
uttered his eloquent words in clear
and distinct voice, he stood the
personiGcation Of reverence and the
triumph Of manhood oyer age,
living ek nplO of mastery intellect.
After The iormalities we're over, a
magnificent collation. was spread. The
presents were numerous and valuable.
Mr.. John Inman, of Nov York, sent
a gold ladle and dozen golden spoons
Children and grandchildren presented
the honored couple with FIVE hundred
dollars in gold. The list is too long to
vablish. 1t vas altogether one Of the
most interesting and brillispt eYents
that was ever known in East Helnes-
see. The Times in its account says:
Judge VapDyke was born in Roane
county in 1903, edqGatad IN Pennsylvania.
He received his law license liz 1874 end is
the oldest lawyer in East Tennessee. He
was one of the earliest advocates Of build
| ing the East Tennessee, Virginia and
| Georgia railroad, and was its President in
AL lie was sWhig and ran against Sam
Smith for Congress in 81 and was de-
feated by few votes; was elected chan
cellorduring the war; was al Camp Chase
prison for years He always held q dis
:inguished rank as lawyer and was
regarded as a man of sterling worth and
brilliant capacities. he and his wife are
| in the enjoyment Of vigorous health and
are hale and hearty fer thoiF age.
The Democrat has this interesting
reminiscence:
The courteous treatment extended Mr.
Van Dyke by the East Tennessee, Vir-
ginia and Georgia railroad recalled 40
Incident of the early relations Of that gen
tleman to that road
On July 4, 1886, a convention met in
Knoxville 70 inaugurate railroad either
from Cincinnati or louisville 70 the At
lantio, at Charleston Mr.. Van Dyke
was there and presented the Hiwassee
charter. The lower Tennessee and Geor-
gia delegates accepted that charter and
returned home, the McMinn delegates TO
open books for subscription to the Goor-
gia line and the Georgia delegates to pro
cure charter from the State to the Ten.
nessee line. T. Nixon Van Dyke sub
scribed $4,000, The following year the
ground was broken Tor ths present great
| hiRhwaytwo miles south of Athens. and