The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1888-08-08
A Notable Event.

The fiftieth anniversary of the marriage
of Hon and Mrs William Henry Harrison
Bingham was celebrated at Stowe, July 81.
Fifty years ago, on that date, w. III. ii.
Bingham and Orpha r.. Camp were joined
in marriage at Stowe by Rev. Eli Ballou,
and went on their wedding journey to Bur-
lington in a =" one-horse shay" On July 81,
1888, after a happy welded life of half a
century, hundreds of wedding guests gath
cred from all parts of the state to do them
honor, and were most cordially welcomed
by the Governor and his estmable lady.
1t was difficult to imagine when looking at
the manly and vigorous form of the Gov
ernor and the graceful presence of his good
wife, that fifty years had passed since they
were welded. Time had touched them
lightly, and it would appear that they have
many happy years yet before them. The
Governors residence was thronged during
the afternoon by arriving guests. Many
rare and beautiful gifts from friends were
displayed in the parlors, which were pro-
fusely ornamented with floral tributes.
Prior to the reception the bride and groom
were serenaded by the Waterbury Center
band which subsequently furnished or
chestra music for dancing.
The reception was held in the evening, in
the parlors of the Mt. Mansfield Hotel,
handsomely decorated for the occasion.
Hon H. Henry Powers, Judge of the SUI
preme court of Vermont, in his opening re-
marks paid graceful tribute to the work
of the Governor and his lady and noted in
very happy manner the Governors political
record, and his great personal popularity
among all classes of citizens in the state,
closing with hearty congratulations to the
happy couple upon the attainment of their
golden anniversary and wishes for happy
and peaceful future. Hon. w. p. Dilling
ham of Waterbury, ex-governor Farnham
of Bradford, Colonel John b. Clarke of
Manchester, n. H., Justice Bradley of the
United States supreme court also made
brief congratuatory remarks to which the
Governor most feelingly responded. Sew
eral poems, composed by friends, were
then read, after which the wedding guests,
to the number of nearly five hundred, paid
their respects to the happy pair. The guests
were then invited by the honOred host and
hostess to partake of refreshments and
were ushered into the spacious dining hall
of the hotel, where the tables were spread
with all the delicacies of the season in
bountiful supply-in fact, a royal banquet,
served in exquisite style. After this COLA
ton, those who desired engaged in the dance,
/" and all went merry as a marriage bell"
Among the guests at the reception were
the following: Justice Joseph p. Bradley of
the supreme court of the United States
Hon. III. II. Powers and wife of Morrisville,
Hon. w. p. Dillingham; and wife of Water
bury, Hon. w. II. Dubois and wife of
West Randolph, Hon. c. S. Page and wife
of Hyde Park, Hon. Roswell Farnham of
Bradford, Colonel c. S. Forbes, Hon. John
w. Hobart, S. w. Cummings, f. A Chit
tenden and wife, e. G.. Lucas, Frank w.
Flint, John B. Fletcher and Captain and
Mrs. j. III. Mimms of St. Adams, DR.. l.. NJ.
Bingham and wife, DR.. A. f. Grnnell, Don.
A. Stone and wife and B. b. Smaley and
wife from Burlington, Nathan Mcfarland
and wife, L. j. Barber and wife and Hon
III. A. Waterman and daughter from John
son, Hon. and Mrs. c. p Marsh of Wood
stock, John w. Champion and wife of Rut-
land, Hon. and Mrs. Charles Thatcher of
Bennington, Major John c. Stearns and
wife of Bradford Mr.. and Mrs. George l..
ker of Quechee, E. w. Cakes of Windsor,
Colonel and Mrs. John b. Clarke of Man
chester, N H., John 7. Irving of New
York, Mr.. and Mrs. A. j. Keller of Worces-
ter, Mass, James T. Phelps and wife and
Mr.. and Mrs. G. j. Brooks from Boston and
Mr.. H. c. Mcmahon of Minneapolis, MINI.
A large delegation from Montpelier was
present. The National Life Insurance
Company and the Vermont Mutual with
both of which companies Governor Bing-
ham has for many years been identified,
were represented by Hon Charles Dewey,
wife and daughter, j. c. Houghton,
Colonel and Mrs. Fred f. Smith, James 7.
Sabin and wife, w. T. Dewey and wife, j.
w. f. Washburne, wife and son, George o.
Stratton and wife and c. T. Sabin and wife.
S. G, Woolson and wife, A. j. Sibley and
wife, 7. G. Phinney, wife and daughters,
Mr.. and Mrs. G. H. Heaton, L. Bart Cross
and d. f. Long were others from Mont
pelier. Many letters of regret were re-
ceived by Mr.. and Mrs. Bingham from
prominent persons within and without the
state. The Governor and his lady sped the
parting guests, who left them with many
good wishes for their future.