The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1899-02-20
" JUST FIFTY YEARS AGO"
Missoula's German Contingency
Participate in a Mock Marriage.
'SCHRIBERS'GOLD WEDDING
Sundays Social Event in the Garden City
Which Will Be Long Rem embered
by the Many Participants in
the Happy Affair.

mover ana interesting entertainment
ever witnessed in this city took place
this evening at Elks' hall. the occasion
being the memorial service in observ-
ance of the 50th anniversary of the mar
riage of one of Missoula's old-time and
popular German couples, Mr.. and Mrs.
Christian Schriber. The arrangement
of the affair has for some time been
in the hands of few close friends of
the aged pair, who quietly, though eff
fectively, brought to a happy culmina-
ton the event which tonight was pro-
nounced an unqualified success by the
many who were fortunate enough to
participate in the unique proceedings
The scene was brilliant one through
out and what started out to be but
an informal affair, acquired such mag
nitude as to finally include the entire
German public of the Garden City By
happy coincidence the Sons of Her.
mann, in session at the time, were in
duced to abandon the meeting when
only half concluded with the result
that a packed audience witnessed and
participated in the wedding march,
which inaugurated the ceremonial.
Elks' hall looked its prettiest, the many
decorations remaining from the late
Browsers' ball coming in good play and
aiding materially in the beauty of the
scene. Promptly at o'clock began the
exercises, and it was only after the
procession had formed that the visitors
realized the enjoyable entertainment in
store. To the sweet strains of Men
delssohn's immortal march the pageant
for such it proved to be, paraded the
hall amidst the demonstrative applause
which followed it. The senile couple
the groom aged 81 years and the truly
blushing bride of IS, in lettering steps
and with feelings of unsurpassed emo
ton, led the march These were fol.
lowed imediately by five couples of
grand and foster children attired as
brides, grooms and maids, who likewise
entered heartily into the seriousness of
the occasion. Following this quintette
came Rev. George Stewart of the Epis-
copal church, who also numbers his
years by three score and ten, and sue
ceeding him came the several ladies
and gentlemen who participated in the
musical and literary exercises which
followed. Bringing up the rear We're the
members of Schiller lodge No. 4, Sons
of Hermann, some 40 strong, who, in
choral accompaniment, added to the
numbers Of the orchestral rem
dition. This should have comprised the
procession proper. but the magnetism
of the occasion proved so strong that
the entire audience found itself in the
line Of parade when the sweet strains
of the melodious march had died away.
The march concluded, and with the PEG,
pie still erect, Rev. Stewart pronounced
in his impressive manner a blessing
which called to the minds of the high
contracting parties at least the scenes
of so years ago, when the two, in the
nf 1A1,
thoth which is still unbroken Mr.
Stewart spoke with feeling and earnest
ness, and though performing but a
mock marriage. the emotion displayed
was amply reflected by the auditors,
who viewed the ceremony as a stern
reality. Succeeding Mr.. Stewart came
the quintette of grooms and maids
with songs, recitations and greetings,
which delighted the audience to the
extent that several encores We're are
quired before they were allowed to re-
tire. Following this scene came Carl
Shoene and John Schriber in a beauti-
full duet, and an admirably rendered
recitation by Miss Annie Hutter en-
titled ''Fiftey Years Ago" The con-
Guiding exercises consisted of a superb
address by Herr Daniel E. Bandmann
and appropriate congratulatOry remarks
on the occasion by County Commits
sioner Tietjen, Ed Schilling, Otto Seigel
George Mink, Edward Rohkramer and
other prominent members of the Her.
man SOehnneS. The exercises were in
terspersed with delightful music rem
iered by an improvised orchestra con-
'isting Of Miss Lottie Schribar, violinist;
M. c. Harris, pianist; Harry Schriber,
trombone; Hermann Proutz claronet:
Al Guerin, cornet; Henry Schriber, bass
VOL and Master Summers. drums.
These performers are the cream of the
musical artists of the city and their
proved no mean feature of
the occasion.
The ceremonies concluded with a So
cial dance, which extended well into the
night, and which proved fitting finale
hour an excellent collation. was served
as prepared by that master caterer,
Charley Arnold Schrade, while Mine
Herr Mink relieved the monotonous
with liberal potions of that
dreamy, creamy fluid which cheers but
does not intoxicate. Taken as a whole
the affair was unsurpassably brilliant
and may be recorded as the most mem
orable social event that ever has trans
pired in Missoula.
The marital record of the recipients
of the compliment shows Christian
Schriher to be 81 years of age and his
wife, Johanna, IS years. The pair were
at SaXony, Germany. so years
ago. and Immediately thereafter sought
their future life and futune in the Unit
ed States. coming to st. Louis, Mo-, in
lS49 where they remained until the
year 1855, when they removed to this
state, coming direct to Missoua, where
they have since resided. The result of
the marriage consisted Of IA sons and
most of whom, however, are
dead the only survivors being Emma
~ years; John, 40 years. and Henry,
~ years, each native of America, and,
as the old gentleman affectionately re-
marked, regular Missourians." There
are nearly IS grand and foster children.
10 Of whom were present at the cere-
mony. The happy pair possess a nice
little farm home just south Of the city
ana 1t Is doubtful if there is a German
subject within a radius of the four adj
Joining counties that does not we'll and
taVorably know Mr., and Mrs. Chris
Schriber of Mssoula
Union Theater.