Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1899-04-27
BREAKS HOBSON'S RECORD.
Osculatory Reception Given Chicago
Man Who Married Evansville Girl

Chicago, April 23.-The Rev. Wilbur
w. Diehl, with the aid of the pretty
girls and young matrons Of Ashland
avenue Methodist Episcopal church,
broke the Hobson record Friday night.
1t was the last chance the girls of
his flock could reasonably expect to
get to kiss their handsome young
shepherd and they made the most OF
it. Per contra, the pastor could not
legitimately anticipate another OPP
portunity to gather honey from the red
lips of the members. of his flock, and
he accepted their advances with com
placency, if not with avidity.
The occasion for this exchange of
OSCILLATION was the reception given by
the people of his church to the Rev.
Wilbur w. Diehl and his bride upon
their return from Evansville, Wis,
where they were married last Monday.
For nearly five years Mr.. Diehl has
ministered to the spiritual needs of
the people of Ashland avenue Metho-
dist church, and during all this time
has resolutely and successfully with
stood the charms Of the young women
of his congregation, until his contrari-
ness we'll nigh drove the elderly wo-
men of his flock frantic. And then,
just when the girls and the older wo-
men and the elders had all given him
up as hopeless, he gave them all an
other shock by slipping off to Evans
vile with Miss Isabella West and
marrying her. A reception was given
in the church for the newly married
couple. The second girl that passed
before the Rev. Mr.. Diehl hesitated a
moment, then determined look
flashed into her eyes, and she
leaned forward and gave the
young pastor a blissful smack. There
was murmur of approval and the
next girl also took chance and won.
That settled it, and for ten of fifteen
minutes the girls and matrons swarm
ed about the pastor in one great kiss
ing bee. One sharp-faced girl, after it
was all over, bodily charged that some
of the girls went around in the line
four or five times. Tue men watched
the operation for awhile, and then de-
termined that what was sauce for the
goose was sauce for the gander, and
vice versa, and made brave oscula-
tory assault upon the bride. But with
all ihe kissing and laughing it was not
wholly an occasion OF JOY to the young
women Of the church.
The crust about the center of at
traction finally became so great that
A. L. Allis, who acted as master of
ceremonies mounted the platform and
announced that there had been enough
kissing, and it was time to have little
singing. Thereupon the crowd re-
luctantly broke away from the pastor
and his wife, and Prof. Harris sang
Am Dreaming and for an encore Bob
bic and His Sled. Dewitt c. Jones
gave a short address.
Wilbur w Diehl is 80 years of age,
a native Of Milford, Mich. He was
graduated from the theological semin-
airy Of the Northwestern university in
1889, and after a years study in Ger
many entered Rock River conference,
spending three years in Kensington
church, and going to Ashland Avenue
churCd four years ago last October.
He will have to leave this church next
October, on account Of the time limit
imposed in the Methodist denomina-
ton. Under his ministration the
church has grown from an organiza-
ton Of sixty members, without a
building, to a prosperous church of
600 members, with a handsome meet
ing place.