The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1886-12-31
MEMPHIS DAILY, FRIDAY, DECENdBER 81, 1856.
MISS KlH' THOMPSON
MARRIED TO Mr. VAN KIRKMANs
OF NAsHvn LIE, gY 4
At Calvary BY the Rev. Mr.. Sessums,
in Presence Of the Beauty and
Fashion Of Memphis. 'g'-

There has been no social event "a
recent years that has excited public
intel cat tn so intense pitch AS the
wedding Of Miss Ka'e Thompson, Of
this city, 10 MIR. VsnLeer KirkmaD, OF
Nashville, which took place last even
ing at Calvary Church. Before 9
o'clock in the evening, two aud half
hours before the hour fixed for the
ceremony, people began to assemble in
front OF the church doors, and by 1880
o'clock the crush was terrific. At 8
o'clock the vestibuls OF the church
ard all avenues leading to II were
crowded 10 sufioCation, and the side
walk In front OF the church was so
thickly peoped that the efforts OF
three policemen were unavailing to
keep trackway clear for the
bridal party TO enter the church.
Inside the church thirgs were
little better, the side aisles and all the
approaches TO it were living mass OF
humanity, wedged together like sar-
dimes, through which it would have
been impossible 10 squeeze a needle.
The center aisle alone WAS
kept free, and through il alone
were the Nashville delega-
ton that accompanied the groom
enabled TO reach the trout rows as
signed to them, although before
getting to that unobstruCted avenue
they had to elbow aud crowd their
way through multitude OF people, 30
tbiekly packed that tuffocation seemed
imminent, and one lady narrowly eS-
capped faintinR. Nothing like il in
the way oi q crowd has ever been
seen on similar OCCASION in this city,
and this circumstances will doubtless
cause Miss Kate Thompeon's wedding
TO SERVE AZ A MEASURE OF oonPARIsoN
by which all similar affairs IN the fu-
iure will be gagged. The fact that the
streets were an ocean oil mud,
and that q steady drlzsle Of rain
continued throughout the evening
seemed 10 have no appreciable effect
on the siE, OF tho multitude. The
crowd continued 10 swell, and by $3.50
o'clock, the hour announced for the
ceremony, the demand for room had
become 30 great that the chsncel plat
form was invaded and ladies' were
seated there in chairs, while Others
clnteniedly stood mp, oongratulatng
them selves upon hivinR secured such
almiTab vantage ground.
1T WAS A MEMORABLE soRNR,
and one not likely 10 be Cqualed In
many years. Usually at weddings the
feminine sex predominste in the ratio
of ten to one, but In this case the rule
was set aside and the sexes seemed
almost equally divided, and the large
audience that awaited tee bridal pRty
has never been surpassed In numbers,
character and quality by any similar
event in the annals Of Memphis socie-
ty. And why not2 Was 1t not Miss
Kate Thompson, who was to be mar
ritdi "the fsvorite OF all oiicles AID
the idol OF her own" Why ehould
not the people pour out in multitudes
10 sea whether bridal robes could add
grace TO the beauty that has long
been the theme of city's pide7
1t Is no exsggeration 10 say
this. Miss Thompson has 30 long
BEEN a queen in social circles that
no one has cared 10 dispute
her title, and IL 10 by unanimous
consent OF both sexes that she has
been voted
"THE BELLE OF hHNPHTs,"
with few peers and no rivals. Apart
from her personal beauty aud regal
figure, Miss Thompson has won an en-
vIsble position in the hsarts OF all who
know her By her invariable amiabil-
ity OF temper, her bound es1 gener-
olity to the deserving, aud grace Of
manner which she has invested with
charm peculiarly her own. 1t
is these attributes that have
won for her Topularity that per-
mestts ell ca'Hes OF Gociety, and
that Is built upon foundation OF gem
ulne esteem that will endure as long
as the memory of her charming par
fonshty remains fresh in the minds OF
all who have come within it's magnetic
influence.
THR FORTUNATE BRIDEGROOM,
Mr.. Van Lesr Kirkman, a Nashville
capitalist and @ scion Of one Of the
best families of Tennessee, is, as far as
manly beauty goee, flt mate
for the euperb woman he
has won. Tall, handsome, Of
compact but symmetrical figure and
ningulsrly plea.ing address, he Is as
fine a specimen OF physical manhood
as ore will see in days travel.
Though known TO but a limited circle
in Memphis, the reputation ne bears
in Nashville had preceded him, and ii
is one in every way worthy OF the
long line of honorable ancestors from
whom he 10 descended. His business
career has thus far been ooD fined TO the
management Of the extensive estate
he has inherited, but all who know
him speak of him in terms Of the
highest praise, and his rank In Nash
vile as a citizen and member OF 80.
ciety Is second to none. What was
seen OF him last night fully sustains
that reputation. As far as can be
judged by outward appearances he is
"a gentleman TO the manor born" He
was accompanied on The occasion by
A DISTINGUISHED EAsHvILLR DELEGA-
TON,
who occupied seats in the front rows
OF the church facing the Chsnoel.
Among them we're Capt. AID Mrs. J.
P. DIo1il ard, the 81 jter and brother
iu.law OF the eroom, MIS-, John
Overton, Mrs. Hugh CraiRhesd,
Mrs. Briggs, Mrs. r. ). Payne, and
Mesars. Sam Pritchitt, Br., John
A. Demoville, Joseph Thompson, En-
nest Pillow, Hugh Crai0head, A. w.
Wells, Van Polk, Jos. Phillips, Bruce
DouEla1, Morgan Bro n, Frank Fogg,
DR.. E. N. franklin, Clark Pit
chit, Sam Perkins, IT,, Callum
Brown, Josh BfowD, John Thompson,
X. 8. Payne, Master CLARK Kirkman
and Mr.. W. H. Peck, Of the Nashville
AMERICAN, and the following named
young ladies, costumed ss described;
Miss g. .sn, Of Frankfort, KY, in silk
null; Miss Fannie Ray Neal