Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1900-03-08
PRETTY CHINESE WEDDING

Philadelphia recently witnessed a
gorgeous oriental wedding ceremony.
For the first time in the history of the
Presbyterian church, perhaps. Chi
nese couple were united in wedIock IN
the magnificent strains Of Wagne-'s
'Lohengrin. 1t was all so strange
and yet so realistic, But when AT
last Rev. DR.. J. Nervin Eckels had
pronounced the Denediction, when
Wong John and Miss Lee Qui N'Gun
were one, not a single guest of tho
thousand who were present in the Arch
Street Presbyterian church dissento1
from the opinion that a more graceful
bride never stepped before the altar
The marriage of Wong John and his
San Francisco bride was set for g
O'Clock. But when the squad of polica
arrived, detailed to keep traffic omen
on the street, the sidewalks were al
ready filled with curious srectators
Captain of Detectives Miller was c7n-
splcuous on the upper steps of the
church, and solidly the guests filed into
the edifice. Whenever a purple piece
of pasteboard was displayed the holder
gained entrance. Without this open
sesame there was no admittance,
But it was within the structure a
church which had seen scores of fash
lonable weddings in it's time. that real
interest centered, after all. A more
brilliant assemblage seldom graced
Wedding ceremony. Respondent in it's
electric illumination the famous old
church seemed to feel that the event
about to transpire was not an ordinary
one.
The makeup of the audience, IN
questionably, was quite UNIQUE as few
nave been. Orientalism and customs
OF the occident cOmmingled in a man.
ner to speak elOquently for themselves
The extensive family Of the Wongs
cousins and uncles and further re-
moved, were assigned special pews
where a good view of the ceremonies
might be obtained. However. even the
chinese circle was at variance as to
dress and appearance. Young men
faultlessly attired in evening dress
but with the Monaghan cast of counte-
nance, rubbed elbows W.T. chose of
their own race who as yet held to the
odd, but picturesque, garments of the
land of Ii Hung Chang. Some had the
proVerbial queue very much in evil
dence. Others had employed this feat
ure otherwise and curled it gracefully
around the head
Then the women of the race. True
but few Of the Chinese ladies were
IN attendance, but what they lacked in
number was made up in picturesque
ness.
The organ now pealed forth its mel
ody. The augmented choir of The
church, under the direction of Mr..
MacGibbiney, filed the structure with
song. A hush settled over the assem-
blage. 1t was realized that the mo-
mentous hour had arrived.
1t was now that the unexpected hap
pened. Gracefully entering the south
ern doorway, dainty little woman in
modern dress and leaning on the arm
Of another, walked up the aisle The
magnificent bunch of white roses nest
hing against her cOrsage made strik-
ing contrast to the brown colJred
tailor-made gown that was a picture
of the milliner's art. 1t was Miss Lee
Qui Noun, not arrayed in silks and
satins Of the orient, but quietly, taste
fully dressed in the fashion of the day.
And the groom? Immediately fol-
lowing Miss Qui and her companion
came Wong John, not perturbed by the
scrutinizing chances, and conscious TO
the full that he had a serious part to
perform. More than ordinarily good
looking, Wong John might well con-
slider himself the conspicuous object,
aside from the interest which cen
tered in the bride
For Miss Lee Qui Noun, after all.
was the attraction.
When the bridal party reached the
altar, Rev. Dr. Eckels stood ready to
receive them. In a few, preliminary re-
marks he addressed the audience in
explanation of the unique event. He
told once more the story of Wong
Johns wooing, how correspondence
and photographs had been exchanged,
how Wong Johns Sunday school
teacher and the Golden Gate mission
school had been concerned. The rites
of the Presbyterian church were per-
formed, and when the couple walked
up the church aisle a more outspoken
appreciation than before could scarce
ly be suppressed.
In the lecture-room of the church a
reception was held Immediately fol-
lowing the ceremonies. Here Wong
John and his handsome, blushing wife
received congratulations. Beautiful
decorations abounded, the Chinese col
ors mingling with those of the United
States The wedding repast was unex-
celIed. The reception continued for
several hours. When it was all over
Mr.. and Mrs. Wong John drove to
their South street home, where the first
Christianized Chinese couple in this
city will reside.
CHARACTER IN RED HAIR.