St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1901-05-15
MAY WEDDINGS.


Boston, presented a brilliant appearance
Wednesday evening, May s, the occasion
being the marriage of Walter Poland
Rankin, formerly of St. Johnsbury, to
Miss Alice Louise Meserve OF SIS Beacon
street. The church was elaborately dec
GRATED with palms, laurel wreaths and
roses and at each pew were large punches
of annunciation lilies tied with white
satin ribbon.
The ceremony was performed by the
Rev. Thomas Van Ness. pastor Of the
church. At precisely eight o'clock the
bridal party entered the church to the
strains of Lohengrin. The bride was
met at the altar by the groom, attended
by Guy Andrews Ham of Dorchester.
The bridal party was preceded by eight
ushers, all Of whom, as we'll as the best
man, were classmates of the groom at
Dartmouth. They were: George F.
Merrill of F Fortland, Me-. T. P. Keyes of
Brooklyn, N. Y; Julian Phillips of South
birmingham; Walter Blair of Dorches.
ter; Henry Tigue of Gloucester; L. H.
Prouty of Brookfeld Robert H. Brooks
of Claremont. N. H., and Arthur Virgin
o. Boston. These were followed by four
bridesmaids Miss Gertrude Lands, Miss
b arche Devereux, Miss Adele Fisher and
Miss Blanche Ware, gowned in white
point d'esprit over pink silk and carrying
large bouquets of pink roses. The BRIDE
es CO ted BY her father, was preceded by
her maid OF honor, Miss Isabelle Rankin,
sister OF the groom, daintily attired in
point d'esprit over white, also CARRYING
pink roses. The bride wore a superb
gown OF white duchesse satin en- train,
garnished with rose point lace, the cor
S ige being fastened by diamond brooch,
a git OF the groom. She wore the Gus
tomary bridal veil with a wreath OF
orange blossoms and carried a large
shower bouquet of bride roses and lilies
ot-the-valley.
A reception followed Immediately at
the home of the brides parents. The
Meserve mansion, beautiful in itself, was
made gorgeous by artistically arranged
flowers. Roses abounded everywhere
The walls of the library where the bridal
party received were hidden in garlands
of laurel caught here and there with
clusters of bride roses and dainty white
ribbons. The mantles throughout the
house were banked with jacquemenot
roses, and the hreplaces were filled with
palms and carnations. The Symphony
orchestra which furnished music was
hidden by ropes of laurel Stimulating
organ pipes. Mrs. Meserve, who assist
ed in receiving, was gowned in violet
crepe-de-chine with point lace trimmings
and diamonds, and Mrs. Cushman, the
groom's mother, wore heliotrope broche
with duchesse lace. The spacious parlors
were thronged with brilliant company
and fine gowns and rich jewels were much
in evidence. bountitul collation. was
served in the beautiful dining room which
was also lavishly decorated with flowers.
The groom's gift to his ushers were
scarf pins with an Indian head, symbolic
OF the old Dartmouth traditions, and the
bride gave her bridesmaids crescent pins
set with pearls Among the many choice
and valuable gifts were a grand piano,
a certified check for a thous and dollars
from the BRIDES father, chest of beauti-
full silver. from Mrs. Meserve, fine ma
hogany hall cock from Mrs. Cushman,
an elegant silver punch bowl from the
1900 delegation of the Casque and
Gauntlet Society of Dartmouth, many
beautiful pictures, rare and artistic bits
of cut glass and brio a-brac.
Mr.. and Mrs. Rankin. after a some
what extended trip will be "at home" at
SIC Commonwealth Avenue, on Satur.
day afternoon and evening, June 8, from
four to six and from eight to ten.
simomds- Farmer.
The wedding OF Robert w. Simonds
and Miss Martha A. Farmer took place
at the home of the bride in East Burke
last Wednesday afternoon. The brides
pastor, Rev. Edward T. Fairbanks, off.
ciated, using the ring service. About 80
near relatives of the contracting parties
were present. The bride and groom
were attended by the brides two broth
ers, Frank and Fred, her only sister,
Miss Ida, and Miss Lulu Baldwin. She
was gowned in beautiful white Swiss
muslin trimmed with lace and satin
ribbon, with bridal veil, and carried a
bouquet of white carnations. The
bridesmaids wore white over pink and
blue. The bridal party stood under an
arch of evergreen and flowers and the
wedding march was played by Miss
May Harris. After the ceremony the
guests were served to bountiful dinner
and Mr.. and Mrs. Simonds left tor their
future home in st. Johnsbury, where
they will reside at Is Church street. The
bride was the recipient of host of beau
tiful and useful gifts. The bride has been
for eight years one of our most efficient
school teachers and the groom is a sue.
cessful lawyer and partner in the well.
known firm of May & Simonds. Mr.
and Mrs. Srnonds will receive congratu
lations from wide circle of friends.
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