Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1883-12-06
Welded Wonders.
met roses
Philadelphia Times.

The marriage ia this city to-day of
Christiana d. Dunz, the German giant
ess, and Patrick 2. O'Brien, the Irish
giant, proved to be the greatest social
event of the season. Over 1 900 of tn
best people in the city witnessed the
cermony, which was performed at the
First German Lutheran church by
the pastor, Rev. Frederick Ruotf; and
the crowd of those who had not re-
ceived invitations was SO great before
Harris Museum and the church, that
for over an hour traffic was practical
ly suspended. There was a total alb
scence of disgraceful scenes. On &C
count of desire of the giants that the
rites of both the Catholic and Protes-
tant churches should be observed in
their wedding, they were quietly mar
ried by a Catholic priest early in the
morning, but the populace knew moth
ing of this, and the public ceremony
was none the less interesting on ac-
count of not being the first. The
church doors were opened at 10 o'clock,
and half an hour later the edifice was
crowded All the museum curiosities
were present in costume. The snake
charmers, Albinos, Sun-worshipers
and American Indians formed a cur
ious fringe to the animate mass of rich
dresses and gay plumes that filed
every pew. Promptly at II o'clock
cheers on the outside announced the
arrival of the bridal party, and mo-
ment later the giants marched down
the center aisle.
The bride wore an elaborate dress of
imported goods. The groundwork
was of white satin. The waist was
cut in a square-neck bodice. The skirt
terminated in square court train that
extended in trail eight feet in length.
the sleeves reached to the elbow, and
there met the largest pair of white kid
gloves that have ever been manufac-
tured. The trimmings were of Span
ish fringe and lace, that fell in cas-
cades over plaits and putfs. Orange
blossoms formed a wreath which held
a veil that covered her gigantic form
The bouquet was enormous in size,
and the brides ring measured five in
ches in circumference and weighed
seventeen pennyweights.
The ceremony was quicklyover, and
after the congratulations of those
present had been received, the bride
and groom returned to the museum,
where they had a public reception,
which was attended by thousands.
The history of the giants, their
courtship and engagement, is not as
large as themselves. Patrick Will
liam Parsons O'Brien was born in Bel
fast, Ireland, in 1853. He stands 7
feet II inches in height, weighs 298
pounds, and is a splendid specimen
physically. He was introduced as the
Irish giant at the Broadway Museum,
In New York, in $780, Since that time
he has been on exhibition in the prin-
cipal cities in this country.
Christiana D. Dunz was born at
Wurtemberg, Germany; in 1868. She
is rather pretty, good natured-look-
ing blonde. Her weight is 313 pounds
and her height seven feet four inches.
She was adopted when a child by J.
f. Friedenburg, wealthy liquor deal
er of this city. When 10 years old
she was nearly six feet in height. AC
16 she had nearly reached seven feet,
and was still growing. She felt hui
inflated by the crowds that followed
her wherever she went, and at last de
termined to become a curiosity. She
made her first appearance at the BOs-
ton Museum last May as the German
giantess.
The giant couple first met in Gin
cinnati two months ago. They at
once conceived a violent attachment
for each other and when they arrived
in this city it was as betrothed lovers.