Waco evening news. (Waco, Tex.) 1888-1889, 1889-05-02
AFRAID 10 MARRY.
Millionaire wiiliamson Hid Himself On
the Day Set for His wedding.

Millionaire wiiiiamsos Hid Himself On
the Day Set for His wedding.
There is romance connected with
tho life of the late philanthropist,
Isaiah v. Williamson, which formed
a great commotion in social circles in
Philadelphia third Of q century ago.
Mr.. Williamson remained bachelor
oil his life, but II was q narrow escape,
for il was only the excessive timidity
of the man which caused him to shirk
at the last moment. Since his death
the circumstance OF the millionaire's
only love venture has been recalled,
and the story told below is vouched
for by several of his friends, who
knew him in his money making days,
when he was familiar figure on Third
street. III - 80 III
In those days Mr.. Williamson was
considered one Of the beaus Of Phila.
delphia. He was extremely fond Of
society, and was always a prominent
figure in the gay and giddy throngs of
people, not only in this city, but in
New York and elsewhere II was his
custom TO spend the greater portion of
the summer months at Saratoga,
where he was much courted and an.
gled after by lovely daughters and
designing mammas. He was known
as the 'rich bachelor from Philadel.
phia, and as he was by no means q
bad looking man, he succeeded in
creating a decided impression wher
ever no went.
1t is possible that among the brill.
liant throngs at Saratoga he first met
the woman who, so far as is known,
was his only love. She was Phila.
delphia belle, q member of one of the
best and Oldest families, lovely and
accomplished woman, wealthy, and in
every respect desirable life mate for
the wealthy young merchant. The
courtship was brief one, and it was
not long before the date of the mar
riage was announced. Tho ceremony
was to take place in this city at the
residence of the prospective brides
parents. Preparations for the wedding
were on an elaborate scale, and it was
widely heralded as the coming social
event of the season.
The day arrived, and q large and
brilliant assemblage of guests had as.
sembled at the young lady's residence.
The clergyman was on hand in readi.
ness to read the marriage service; the |
bride looked her loveliest, the wed.
ding supper was ready for the table,
and the guests in full expectation,
when at the last moment it was dis.
covered that very important person.
age was missing-the groom.
MIR W1lliQmcOn vvac rnxvhoyso 70 ho
found. Messengers were sent to his
house. He was not there, and after
an hour passed and still no sign of
him, the best man, accompanied by
another intimate friend of the missing
nan, went in search of him in O. cab.
After vainly inquiring at several OF
his regular haunts they drove to his
otfice in Bank street. Here they
'ound him sitting all alone in the
gloomy, dusty, little den, attired in
his wedding suit, his knees trembling
md his brows overcast. He was near.
y scared to death. |
Don't talk to me. can never face
Ill those people," was the only reply
ne would make to all the arguments
If his friends. And he had his way.
After an hour spent in pleading with
he obstinate man there was nothing
eft for his friends to do but to drive
Jack to the mansion and have the
,uests dismissed, giving the best ex-
use they could devise. The bride
vas nearly distracted for q day or SO,
tut she was soon brought to a reali.
alton of the ridiculous side of the
natter. The engagement was, of
curse, broken off, and this is why the
philanthropist was never
married.
The lady is still living, and is high.
respected by o large circle Of &C.
uaintances. Philadelphia Record.