The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1889-08-21
WEDDING AT THE FEST.
Gay Pageant of the P1att-
deutsche at Schuetzen
Park.
PEASANT CUSTOMS REVIVED
Fully Fifteen Thousand People
Enjoyed the Brilliant Scenes Of
the Festival.

The chief feature of the third day of the
Plattdeutsch Volksfest Verein at the
Union Hill Schuetzen Park yesterday was
the marriage of Miss Emma Metzger, Of
No 1877 Seventh street, Hoboken, to MIR.
William Schmidt, of Washington street,
Hoboken. The ceremony was witnessed
by at least 1900 people, and was in every
detail in strict accordance with the
customs of the peasants of Germany.
One of the largest crowds of the fest
assembled in the open place in front Of
the headquarters in the afternoon and
watched man carry q woman across
tight rope stretched SO far above their
heads that the man and woman looked
like dwarfs. Then a couple of contortion-
lists almost turned themselves inside out.
and pair of daring damsels performed
thrilling feats upon the trapeze
1t was close to six O'Clock and the
crowd was staring in open mouthed aston
1shment at giddy blonde who was walk
ing on the ceiling with her head down
ward when O picturesque figure on
mettlesome gray charger rode among the
people
He was dressed in a long, drab coat,
much like the Newmarkets the ultra
fashionable young man affected several
years ago, under which he wore a waist
coat of flaming red set off by brass but
tons and gold embroidery. A pair of
ordinary trousers encased that portion Of
his legs which escaped from the huge
pair of top boots he wore.
The most attractive feature about him,
however, was the elaborate manner in
which he was bedecked with ribbons.
Gay silken streamers of every hue decor
nj fodf hrsirF pae.l
his head; were interviewer with the mane
and tail OF his horse, and flew out from
the large baton he carried in his hand.
THE HoCHzEIT's RITTER.
The picturesque horseman was w. n.
Won Ojen, of Hoboken, and he was imper-
sonating the old country Hochzeit Ritter
1t Is the duty of this official in Germany
to ride among the friends Of the bride and
groom, and invite them to the wedding.
Each maiden whom he thus invites
presents him with q silken ribbon,
with which he decorates some portion Of
his clothing or his horse, and this custom
accounted for Mr.. Van Ojen's gay appear
ance.
In choice Plattdeutch the Hochzeit's
Ritter invited the vast throng to the nup-
tials of Mr.. Schmidt and Miss Metzger.
The crowd then went over to the cottage
where the wedding procession was form
ing, and in a few minutes the bridal party
appeHr6u. H1rbU CHiHt tQe TAlQDOW uu6Q
Hochzeit's Ritter, followed by the band
playing wedding march. Mr.. George
Pasbach, of Hoboken, the director of the
ceremony, followed with several mem
bers Of the committee of the fest.
THE BRIDEGROOM.
Then came the groom. He Is a tall,
manly looking young fellow of twenty
five years, and made a picturesque APP
pearance in his quaint wedding costume.
He wore o black velvet jacket, orna-
mented with pale blue satin facings and
silver bell buttons, and satin waistcoat
of color to match the facing of his
jacket. Black velvet knickerbockers.
white silk stockings and low slippers with
large silver buttons, completed his cost
ume.
He wore black sugar loaf with bright
colored streamers and gay boutonniere.
On each side of the bridegroom walked
two men clad like the Hochzeit's Ritter,
one of whom carried baton decked with
white ribbons. A long line of men
dressed in the same picturesque costume,
differing only in the hue of their coats
and waistcoats, followed.
THE BRIDE.
Then came the bride. She is petite
brunette, and looked most charming in
her simple garb of white. Contrary to
the custom in this country, the bride was
arrayed far less brilliantly than the bride
groom. She wore plain white bodice
and cream colored skirt, ornamented
with several rows of satin of the same as
the bridegroom's gorgeous waistcoat. A
dainty little apron, which looked as If it
were made of lace, projected the immacu-
late skirt. A double row of pearls en-
circled her shapely throat, and on her
head she wore wreath of smilax.
She was supported on each side by a
matron dressed In a costume similar to
that she wore. 1t differed only in the hue
of the petticoat and bodice, and had the
addition of cute little bonnet, which
rested on the top of the head. A long line
of maids and matrons followed, and
party of boys, in gay-colored jackets and
attractive caps, brought up the rear of the
procession.
Sergeant Rathjen and one of Hoboken's
finest preceded the party and cleared &
passage for it through the vast throng
around the grounds to the farm house.
THE CEREMONY.
Here some confusion was occasioned by
the crowds pushing into the house before
the party. Finally the bride and bride
groom were gotten to the front and cry
for Herr Pastor went up. In response to
this summons the Rev. Mr.. Won Stryker
of the Heights, appeared from side room
He looked very patriarch In his skull
cap and long black cassock. over which
his venerable white beard streamed.
hiding almost completely his white
hands. He mounted chair and, while
the band outside softly played the bridal
chorus from "Lohengrin," performed the
ceremony. He then made a little speech
upon the text, Young ones hold fast,
which created much amusement among
those who were within reach OF his voice.
Just as he completed his remarks
table, on which several fat women Were
standing, broke down with a crash and
there was a momentary scene of confusion.
The bride turned pale at the screams OF
the women and prettily clung to her hus-
band.
Order was quickly restored, however
and the procession reformed. This time
the pastor came behind the band. The
proud husband with his bride on his arm
followed, and then came the men, each
with maiden on his arm.
The procession moved to the large plat
form in front of the headquarters and ar
ranged itself around in circle. The band
struck UP a waltz and the bride and bride
groom started the wedding dance. When
the procession formed for the third time
they marched over to large tent, where
the wedding supper was eaten.
A set of peacock blue plush furniture
and other appropriate gifts were there
presented to Mr., and Mrs. Schmidt.
Wife Beater in Court.
Thomas Johnson, of No. SO Canal street
was remanded for further examination
this morning by Justice Stilsing. He beat
his wife SO severely last night that this