Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1889-04-07
ASHAMED TO MARRY.
WHY PHlLANTHR0PIST ISAIAH Y. WILL
HANSON REMAINED SINGLE.
The Wedding Day Set and the Guests Assembled
But the BaShfnl Millionaire Was
Scared Of.
Pkhadelphia Record.

There IS o romance connected with the
life Of the late philanthropist, Isaiah V.
Williamson, which formed great commo-
ton in social circles Philadelphia third
of a century ago. Mr.. Williamson re-
NAMED bachelor all his life, but it was a
narrow escape, for it was only the exces-
sive timidity of the man which caused him
to shirk at the last moment. Since his
death tie circumstances of the million
aires only love venture has been recalled,
and the sto'y told below is vouched for by
several of bis friends who knew him in his
money making days, when he was famil-
lar figure along Third street.
FOND OF SOCIETY IN HIS YOUNGER DAYS.
In those days Mr.. Williamson was consid-
cred oGe of the beaux of Philadelphia
He was extremely fond of society, and was
always a prominent figure in the gay and
giddy thropgl Of people, not only in this
city, but in New York and elsewhere. II
was his custom to spend the greater por-
ton of the summer months at Saratoga,
where he was much courted and sngled
after by lovely daughters and designing
mammas. He was everywhere known az
tie rich bachelor from Philadelphia,
and, as he was by no means a bad-looking
man, he succeeded 10 creating decided
impression wherever he went.
THE BACHELOR MEETS HIS FATE.
1t is possible that among the brilliant
throngs at Saratoga he first met the wo-
man who, so far as is known, WAS his only
love. She YVES a Philadelphia belle, a
member of one of the best end Oldest taml-
lies, lovely and accomplished woman,
wealthy, and in every respect desirable
life-mate for the wealthy young merchant
Tie court-hip was brief one, ard it was
not long before the date of the marriage
was announced. The ceremony was to
take place in this city, at the residence of
the prospective BRIDES parents. Prepara-
tiOns for the wedding were on an elaborate
scheme, and it was widely herGlded as the
coming social event af the season.
VAINLY WAITING FOR THE GROOM.
The day arrived, and large and bril-
liant assernblage of guests had assembled
at the young lsdy's residence. The cler-
gTman wac on hand in readiness to read
the marrisgs service; the bride looked
her lovelest; the wedding supper was
ready for the table, and the guests in full
expectation, wheD, at the last momest, il
was discovered that a very important per
sonage vas mies ng-the groom.
Mr.. Williamson was nowhere to b.
found Messengers were sent to his house;
he was not there, and after an hour passed
and still no sign of him the bss. man, &C.
companied by another intimate friend Of
the missing man, went in search of him in
cab. After vainly iHquiIing at several
of his regular haunts they drove to his
Office in Bank Street.
AFRAID TO FACE THE PEOPLE.
Here the found him sitting all alone 10
the gloomy, dusty little den, atiired in his
wedding suit, his knees trembling and his
brow overcast. He was nearly scared to
death.
"Don't talk to me. can never face ell
those people," was the only response he
would make to all the arguments Of nia
friends. AID he had his way. After or
hour spent in pleading with tire obstinate
man, there was nothing lett for his friends
to do but to drive back to the mansion and
have the guests dismissed, giving the best
excuse they could devise. The bride was
nesrly distracted for a day or 20, bus was
soon brought TO realization ef the ridicu-
lous side of the matter. The engagement
was, OF course, broken Of. and this Is why
the millionaire philanthropist never mar
ried.
The ledy ia still living and is highly re-
apected by large circle Of acquaintances.
She figured for years IN society, and
twenty years ago was one of the unlyer-
sally acknowledged bellies Of the city.