The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1899-07-10
A HAPPY EVENT.
Hundreds Offered Congratulations and
handsome Rememhrancss.

Surrounded by their family, their
relatives. neighbors and friends, on
Saturday evening at their comfortable
home 6s Dover street, the veteran De-
tective and Mrs. James ID. Swan cels-
brated the 50th anniversary OF their
happy welded life. The weather was
not at all in keeping with the OCCASION
for had IL been the spacious lawn which
had been in charge of electricians Tor
a number OF days would not have fur-
nished sufficient space for those VINO
would have responded TO the invitation
rendered them TO assist at this notable
observance.
Many letters of regret were sent late
in the day and most OF them contained
a happy reminder OF the occasion. MI
and AIRS. Swan were assisted IN receiV-
ing by Mr.. and Mrs. George w. hum
phrey, who stood up with them oJ
years ago, whsn they were married py
the Rey. G.. X. Cook, in house that
stood at the corner of Meeting ana
Benefit streets. This, with the fact thar
Mr.. Swan wore a portion OF the suit IN
which he was married proved very IN
teresting features OF the celebration.
The happy couple s;ood beneath
small forest OF palms and potted plants
and a huge American nag occupied
prominent position in the room.
There was but little unoccupied room
in the house, as every available table,
nook and corner were filled with pres
ents, all OF which were of a rich char
acter. In fact, there were so many
that Il will be some time before Mr.. and
Mrs. Swan really know who the donors
are. All of Mr.. Swans associates in
the detective department. Chief OF Po-
lice Baker and other city ofhcials call
ed and congratulated the happy couple
during the evening.
Under large tent In the rear OF the
house was stationed an orchestra, and
there a luncheon was served, and i'm
the basement was an annex which
was presided over by Mr.. Swans son,
William ID.
Mr.. Swan is rs years old. while his
life partner is 10 years younger. and
both have the appearance OF having
many happy years before them.
They have five children, William d..
Calef o.. Mrs. Louise w. Clarke. Misses
Elenora and Sadie. They also have
five grand d-children. all of whom were
present on the happy occasion.
Mrs. Swan was the daughter Of Rufus
Thornton, we'll known mill man at
Thornton in his day. her mother. Betsy
Thornton, being a special guest of the
evening.
The reception did not just suit Mr.
Swan. as he preferred TO roam around
among the guests. but his children per-
suaded him 10 be stylish just for the
occasion and to don a dress suit. He
rebelled against II for a time, and was
finally coaxed into dress suit and
stood up and shook hands with every
body When the time was mp. how
ever. ne quit and was himself again.
For" said he. II don't want to put
on any style. No feathers for me-" and
from this time until the last guest left
the house none was happier than he,
To party OF men folks he related
some of his experiences which were
certainly interesting. but could tee
more were he so inclined.
Mr.. Swan is a native OF Maine and
came to Providence in 1s47. Six years
later he was appointed as a police con-
stable and except during the war OF 81.
has sslce that date been connected
with the police and detective depart
ments.