Albuquerque daily citizen. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1895-1903, 1899-06-21
GOLDEN WEDDING BELLS
Chime IN the Fiftieth Anniversary OF
Marriage Of Mr.. aud Mrs. J. 5. Baxter.

Marriage Of Mr.. aud Mrs. J. 5. Baxter.
on June 20, 1919. In the borough OF
Walsail. England, John 3. Baxter and
Elizabeth spencer, aged % and u
years respectively, plighied their
mutual tHith and we're Joined
in tho bonds OK matrimony. June 90,
1899, ffty years afterward, the venerable
and loving couple are far remove from
their old habitation In MerTie England
and are living In a cosy home at 1910
south AInO street, In this city. Last
evening they we're employed at their IA
vorite game OF checkers and never
thought that IL was the fftieth anniver-
sary OF their marriage. They were sit
ting In front OF q screen door and they
could be distinctly seen from the street.
They had played four games and had
planned to retire for the night at the
conclusion Of the game they were play
ing when the music Of bells, together
with the diseordant noises Of q dozen tin
cans, broke the ailence Of the evening
air in front OF their house.
Their hearing IL somewhat affected,
owing TO old age, aud besides they were
30 deeply interested In their game of
checkers. that the first strains Of sore
nRding music did not attract their at.
tentioB. The serensders, with the x
ceptlOn OF a few who remained at a point
Of vantage 10 watch the actions OF the
surprised parties, marched into the yard
and the loud and tangled notes, OF tin
cans and bells. caused Mr. and Mrs. Bax
ter to look up suddenly from the checker
board and then walk cautiously out into
the night 10 see what the commOtion IVES
about. They came out into tho front
yard Just In time to SEQ the rear guard Of
a band Of serensders, who had decided 10
surprise the old couple on the occasion
Of their golden wedding. entering the
house. Never before have people been
more genuinely surprised or In a deDser
state OF Ignorance OF what was In store
for them
IL had beat the old lady three games OF
checkers" said the spouse. land In the
last game. ! had my two kings placed In
such a position against her two men,
that she was %cornered and could not
move any way without being caught.
when | heard some ringing. First |
Thought IL was n milk bell and then |
concluded II must be ringing for a ire
and was expecting mOmentariiy to hear
the hooking bird. Friends, this is a
surprise. sure"
Mrs. baxter cofroborated her husband
in every particular, except that she de-
clarsd she had won n game OF checkers
ami stood IA very good show OF winning
the last game. when II was interrupted
The s%erenaders came bearing appr0pri-
ate golden wedding gifts and large Quan
titles Of ice cream and cake, sandwiches.
lemons, etc. The following were the
presents received: Mira. j IA. Smith, 81
gold piece: slts. James Champion, ~ 90;
Miss Carrie Smith, $3.50; Isaac Lebo,
81 80; MIR. AID Mrs. John Heinell, gold
souvenir spoon; Mrs. NJ. I. Connect, wattT
/, set; Miss Minnie Fischer. golden pepper
and salt cellars in tho shape Of heartsi
, Mr.. and Mrs SIMON BnlliDg, two hand
some cups aud eaucers; ~ Ernest Ltx,
a psrasol; Mr.. ". Whitehiil, pgrasol and
J handkercniefs. After the presents had
been inspected AID admired the assem-
blage was delightfully."- entertained by
Mr.. Baxter, who saDg A number OF the
love sol - Of his yOutI from NJ ancient
looking song book which he brought oveI
with him from England In 1863. One 0l
the songs which he sang, entitled Moth
! ing at All" b8d u genuine knglish spice
and flavor, which made 1t very agreeable
TO American minds.
Delicious refreshments OF lee cream
and cake. and sandwiches we're served
) at the conclusion of which the company
, arose and drank a glass OF refreshing
lemonade TO the health u the excellent
. and venerable couple, In honor Of whose
golden wedding they had assembled
They also expressed the best wishes oi
their hearts, that the future years nigh
have In store for them the same domestic
? joys and felicities as the past fifty hay,
! mad.
Those composing the surprise part!
l were: MIR ana Mrs. Whitehill. Mr. and Mrs
Fink and daughter, MIR. and Mira. Ball
! ing, Mr.. and Mrs. j. n. Smith, Mrs. j. NJ
l Champion and children. Mrs. J. Hall anC
children, Mrs. Ernest Lix, Mrs. Ada Pad
don, Mira. NJ. T. Connect, Mrs. n. j
7 Smith. Misses Carrie Smith, Mimi,
Fisher; Isaac Lebo and son, sam. Smitt
and Julius 0lesOn.
Mesdames NJ. 7. Connect, j. II. Smith
! J. NJ Champion and j.. Hall ar
daughters Of Mr.. and Mrs. Baxter. Mrs
CCnnett IL here on a visit from For
Wayne, Ind. Besides these there are tw
other children, Mrs. Vim. Norman. o
NinslOw. and John Baxter. The Baxter
have resided in Albuquerque since 1889