The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-05-09
WEDDING in THE CAMP
KOKOMo PAIR MADE ONE BY CHAP
LAIN CHRISTENSEN.
Lieut.. IT. M. Defrees Was Hest Man,
and the Ceremony Went
with EcIat.

The first wedding of Camp Mount was cell
ebrated yesterday afternoon, and the con-
tracing parties were surrounded by all the
pomp and circumstance of military glory
that could be crowded into the narrow space
where the pumpkin and other Hoosier escu-
Tents go on annual dress parade. The Lilies
and the roses and other incense-laden flow
ers that make a characteristic wedding at
mosphere were woefully lacking, and, in
stead, there prevailed the aroma of the
sawdust, but the bright May sunshine
streamed through the wide interstices of the
barn-like agricultural building, and a chat
tering crowd of men and women helped to
make merry and relieve the tension of the
scene. Leroy Thompson, of Company L.
Second Regiment, of Kokomo, was the
happy groom, and Miss Della Wilson, of the
same town, was even as happy a bride.
Chaplain Christensen, in trim-fitting dark
bloAse, tied the knot in true Episcopalian
fashion
No extensive preparation had been made
for the ceremony, and while it was some
what of an impromptu affair, the word
spread rapidly through camp that the event
was to come off in the agricultural build
ing. and quite a considerable crowd went
over from the Second Regiment headquar-
tiers. Lieut.. Col. Ed Thayer felt that so
suspicious an occasion in the life of one
of his men should be graced by the pres
ence of regimental officer, and he went
in person to offer his services in any ca
pGcity whatever, as master of ceremonies,
best man or as any other subsidiary func-
tcnary connected with this GROWING event
or a season of wooing. Lieut.. Tom Defrees,
u retired army officer not to be outdone i'll
gallantry at any time by any man. promptly
offered his services and, by automatically
pocketing the lieutenant colonel between
three rather f1eshy women and sugar bar
rel, secured the coveted honor of being best
man. much to the chagrin of the lieutenant
colonel. When Chaplain Christensen ar
rived the groom was off in a corner of the
hall, holding a conference with his bride to
be and critically inspecting the gilt-covered
document that was to insure their happi-
ness Dish washers and cooks darted here
and there, cleaning up the remnants of Sun
day dinner. The chaplain spied them and
the building, where he posed them under
the national flag, which swung from a
rafter. Part of the wedding guests perched
themselves upon huge fruit pyramid. thus
adding to the effectiveness of the scene.
Lieutenant Defrees, in checked knicker-
bockers, beautiful brown vest and tie that
was a dream, DOTTED his hat and stepped
forward, taking the hand of the bride and
placing 1t in that Of the groom at the proper
juncture. Then the formula of the church
came Mrs Leroy Thompson. Lieutenant
Colonel Thayer had by this time secured a
position of vantage, ready to exercise his
prerogative as lieutenant colonel by kissing
the bride. Lieutenant Defrees, wholly I'M
mindful of the rank of his brother officer,
made another crafty maneuver and admin
istered a second Waterloo to the lieutenant
colonel. AS the last solemn words were
spoken. the captain sounded the command.
Company l., fall in!'' and the groom was
torn away from the side of his wife
Long toward o'clock in the evening a
sturdy looking soldier made his way defer
entially to the headquarters of the Second
Regiment, and taking off his cap, begged
to see Adjutant Powell
May / have pass to go out of camp
to-night?' he asked. Said the adjutant:
who are you, sir?'
Private Thompson, Company L." he re-
piled.
That means nothing to me, sir" said the
ddjutant, abruptly
Il have just been married, Sir" continued
the private. with grin
oh, that's different" said the adjutant.
Wen let you out of camp tonight"