Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1888-12-08
A GOLDEN WEDDING;
CELEBRATING fHB MARRIAGE OF JOHN
AND REBBCCA PARIS.
4 Scene Of Enjoyment al the Old HOMESTEAD Hsar
POpmac-A Historic Sketch Of the We'd
ding, in 1888.

POpmac-A Historic Sketch Of the We'd
ding in 1893.
The following account Of the recent eel
ebration, at the old homestead, rear Posc-
mac, this county, of She golden wedding OF
Mr.. and Mrs John Fafis, will be read
with interest, as will also the annexed his
toric account of this wedding day, half q
century ago:
PoroMAC, OHIO Co., December I.
To TIE Editor Of he Register:
On the goth of November last q com
paD5 assembled at the comfortable resi-
dence of John and RebeCcs Fairs, nesr
this place, to commemorate the ff.ieth
anniversary of their wedding. All
Of their living children were with
them on that day but Martha Barry,
Of Hrd3oD, Ohio, who was kept
away on account Of sickness. Several Of
their nepheWs and nieces were present,
but none of their brothers and sisters.
The groom is the last repres. NATIVE of HE
fathers family. The bride has one sister
and ooe brother living, both over eighty
years Of sgs. They live in Delaware,
Ohio, and were not able to bs present.
The presents were numerous and ofttn
valuable, among which we noticed a gold
headed cane, q gold. headed umbrella, pat
ent rocking chairs, papkin-holders, etc.
Among the old relics shown was an old
pewter dipper that had been brought from
Ireland by the grandmother OF the groom,
Dorothy johnson, over one hundred
and twenty years ago. There was
also a gold ring presented to the
groom that his sister had worn as a bride
seventy years ago. She dying without
children, the ring had been kept, and was
on that day presented to him as the lsst
representative of her family.
The following history was read. As it
may, perhaps, be of interest to a number
Of your readers, we will send it to you for
publ cation. 1t elbows the difference be-
tween weddings fifty years ago and those
Of to-day:
"On a bitter cold morning, the Goth OF
November, 1888, a company on horseback,
consisting Of John Ears, VIM. Fsris, Tho4,
Frazier, Vincent Blayney, Eliza Carson
and Mary Yates, might have been seen
emerging from what was then one Of the
finest brick residences in the country, on
the hsadwaters of McGraw's run, Ohio
county, Virginia, and vending their way
along the old ridge read leading from West
Alexander, Pa TO Wheeling, Va. They
were horseback, because at that time
fifty years ago to.dsy-rIilroads were un-
known and buggies were almost unknown,
and only q few families even had a wagon.
THE leading figure in that company
was John Faris, b;ciuse at 2 o'clock on
that day he expected to lead Rebecca Cum
nipghsm to the altar as his bride.
Although the company Yves full ol
mirth and jollity, as such in olden timer,
were expected to to be, yet at times a
shadow of doubt or uncertainty seemed &c
cross their facts, and well it might, for
between them and the expectant bride,
rolled the Ohio river, which at this season
of the year, and especially ss cold a nom
ing as this, might be expected to be run
ming full of ice, or perhaps closed with
ice. At that time there was no suspen'
sion bridge over the river, nor, indte1,
any ferry hoats, but those propelled by
horses, or skiffs plddled with oars.
"The company hnrrisd on, making al
possible haste, until they clme in sight O
the river, on Wheeling bill. Then {,
their joy they saw the river was still in
suitable stage for the horse ferry-boa'
to run. But smother difficulty nov
presented itself. They had come
about ten miles, and were Onl,
about six from their destination. The.
now found they were about two hours aheat
Of time. So a halt was ordered and re
fesbments taken at the "Uld Beanie
House," I'VE of the younger generation
who know the present disposition of tn
groom, how impatient he is of restrain
when he tskess notion to 60 any Llsce til
he gets there, would naturally suppose thi
waiting didn't suit him. After waitini
the proper time the company again movet
on. The river is reached, and crossed thi
time without any serious mishap. TIL
parting Injunction to the ferrymsn is, II
possible, keep the way open for the cross
ing on the morrow" Without futile
adventure worthy of note the company ar
rive at the home of the bride.
"At two O'Clock on that day the csre
mouy was performed by the Rev. Beuja
min Mitchell, d. D, pastor Of the Rocl
Hill Presby teriau church. We will no
speak further of the festivities of tina
night, az this time. But IS the Obi,
river is still rolling between
them and the ipfare dinner we vii
follow them on their homeward journey
The company has now been Increased b.
RsbeCcI Cunningham now Mrs. Job1
Faris-GeOrge, Sarah and Julia Cunning
ham, brother and sisters Of the bride, ant
Thomas Moon.
This morning, the 3Oth, is still colde
than the previous day. The msrcury-i
thsy bad known such a thing as a ther
mometer- would have been near zero. 81
they were early at the river. 1t is almos
closed. Still the ferryman is trying Il
keep a way open. He is %choppiDg aut