Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1902-02-13
THEIR GOLDEN WEDDING.
Mr. and Mrs. q. 1. Watkins OF Graf
tan Celebrate IL saturday.

MIR. and Mrs. q. l. watkins OF GRAFT
tan Celebrate IL saturday.
cur Grattan correspondent gives
upon another page of this issue an
account of the Golden Wedding ami
versary celebration which was held
at the old homestead of Mr.. and Mrs.
Oliver ]. Watkins of Grattan now oc-
cupied by their. son III. j. Watkins on
Saturday last. Among the special
features were the original poems read
and which we present by request:
Lines Addressed to Mr.. and Mrs.
Watkins on Their Fiftieth
Wedding Anniversary.
Friends, turn back the page Just fifty years
today;
We see this couple starting on life's way,
gentle girl with pure untarnished mind.
A nobler youth our township could not find.
We see them as they near loves altar stand
In perfect trust they clasp each others hand
The vows are said that bind each faithful
heart
To love and cherish until death doth part.
j men coihelh IN e nrSt rcalltles OF me
This gentle trusting girl is made wife
And borne into that dear log cabin home,
Which only early pioneers have known
We pause upon the threshold once so dear
Such was the home OF every pioneer
For recollection brings the sacred thought,
II was the home by our loved parents
wrought
Such was the home just fifty years ago,
That his respected. honored couple knew.
just for moment, friends turn back the
And view their lif work and the progress
made.
This couple started in their cabin home
Tue luxuries of life TO them unknown,
The forest shade, where scarce sunbeam
fell
Has Of itself a history TO tell.
Tells by their hand its grandeur was laid low
And In It's stead fair fields of verdure grow
With careful thought they titled each fertile
field
And all can see their life work here
revealed
They toiled and planned from early morn till
night,
Making vast Improvements in their home
so bright,
And from their souls the golden light did
shine,
TIN in It's radiance II hone sublime.
Upon each countenance it rests today
And cheers the loved ones on their way,
1t casts ray upon each pathway here
Shedding It's light on those they love so dear
They worked and saved as pioneers did do
4t,, II, in,
Lending helping hand in dire distress,
Speaking the kindly word 10 those op-
pressed.
God blessed their union giving to them here,
One son, one daughter TO relieve their care,
God saw their life work had not been in vain
And crowned life's sunset with the golden
chain.
Which biad theie hearts together through
their life,
Remaining ever faithful husba' and wife,
And now dear friends one blessing more see
For surely you will all agree with me-
There Is scarce home within our town so
brig I,
That COO has blessed with such golden
light
For IN our town of pioneers SO dear
Where is the home whore both are left to
Cheery
For by the hearthstone one is left alone,
Or both perhaps to their reward have gone,
But you dear friends have passed through Joy
and fears,
The golden gate winch mark the fifty years.
May you together climb the golden stair
Receive the golden crown awaiting there,
Where richest blessings are for all in store
And loving friends meet them TO part no
more.
MRS. ETA MCCAULEY.