Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1888-06-29
A Pretty Silver Wedding.
A CHARMING CELEBRATION OF A TWEEN
TY-FIFTH ANNIVERSARY.

fifth anniversary of their marriage by 6
reception to their friends at their spacious
residence, No. 102 church street, lasting
from to II O'Clock. AS a silver wedding
it was the most complete and handsome
affair of its kind that has been given in
Staunton, the characteristic details having
been attended to with great taste and elab'
| orateness. The double parlor in which
| the hosts received their guests, was Cir
cled with ported flowers, the most numer.
GUS being the flower of life'-the amaran-
th. At the dividing portiere the receiv-
ing couple stood beneath double basket
of Gala lilies and roses. Above them in
striking relief against the dark portiere
were the large silver figures 1863-1c9S,
connected by silver chain, and beneath
silver: ''As thy day, so shall thy strength
be-" The chandeliers of the two parlors
were decorated with pendent silver chains.
The double sitting room across the hall
was deliberately decorated with flowers and
silver chains, and suspended over the di-
| yiding portiere of lace was silver inscrip-
ton on dark ground: "Give me of thy
balm oh, fir tree" The hall itself was
beautifully decorated and over it's arched
portiere of carmine satin damask was a
bed of flowers from which hung silver
chains Behind this portiere sat an Or
chestra of stringed instruments which
gave very sweet music during the even
| ing.
The decorations in the double dining
| room were as unique as beautiful. In the
centre of the large table which bore the
sweets, lay large mirror, looking like a lit
tie lake of water, surrounded by border of
magnolias and roses. From its centre rose
pyramid of silver network which held
twenty five silver candles-one for each
year-the light of which was beautifully
reflected in the mimic lake beneath.
Above it was lighted chandelier hung
with silver chains. In the rear room was
an immense china claret punch bowl and
with it were the salads and substantials.
A very charming decoration of this room,
a tdbledu viUant so to speak. was a group of
three exceedingly pretty little Misses
May Crowle, Minnie Mccoy and Rosa
Witt, who in becoming lace caps served
the refreshments. From this room
and from the upper rooms, the guests
passed out into the spacious yerandahs
where moonlight strolls of considerable
length, especially reserved for The young
people, were taken.
Mrs. Burke wore a silver satin dress,
plain full drapery in the back, and shirred.
The bodice had high puffs On the shoulders
ard Queen Elizabeth collar. Her corsage
| bouquet was of beautiful flowers made of
silver interspersed with sprays of silver
wheat. The gloves were the shade of the
dress. There were also other very handsome
| wedding dresses there. Mrs. Alex. F. Ro-
! bertson, Mrs. Edwin M. Taylor, and Mrs.
Jas. r. Taylor of Staunton, and Mrs.
Clara Lou Barrett of Atlanta, Ga. all
! wore their wedding dresses. which were
very handsome. Mr.. and Mrs. Burke were
assisted in receiving by their son and
daughter, Mr.. and Mrs. W. Starke Burke
The reception had steadily passing
throng from about $50 till II o'clock, and
the hearty congratulations must have been
very welcome to their recipients.
The popular couple the anniversary of
whose wedding was so pleasantly marked,
were married June %, 1868, in Rich
mond-the young bride being Miss Fan
! ME A. Gilman Of Fredericksburg, a sister
of the lamented Col. VIM. S. Gilman,
whose name is so familiar in the politics
of Virginia. Mr.. Burke who retired from
| active business year or two ago has had
busy life. Outside of his commercial life
he has also had one of usefulness in public
positions. Early in youth he was one of
the officers of the Virginia legislature, and
in his own locality he was for many years a
! member and President of the City Coun-
| Gil, and member and President of the
| Board of Directors of the W. L. Asylum.
| He has been for years member of the
| State Democratic Executive Committee,
| ocratic organization of the State, fact
that was marked by his active party asso-
ciates, Senator John S. Barbour, Ex-Secre-
tary Ham Shepperd of the State Central
Committee, Secretary W. W. Scott of the
State Central Committee, Judge John Il.
Harris and others, sending letters of con-
graduation on the pleasant anniversary
of last Monday. He has been for many
years Vice President of the National Val
ley Bank and is at present member Of the
Executive Committee of the Exposition
at Richmond. Of his estimable wife a
briefer record may be made, but one of
even greater meaning-that for twenty
| five years she has made for her family and
her friends refined and happy home.