The St. Louis Republic., 1904-07-06
Veteran Boer Leader and Bride
Stand Beneath Old Glory
TO Marry.
THREE LANGUAGES ARE USED.
English. Dutch and German
Tongue Spoken by Minister
Who Performs Nuptial Ger
emony at the Exposition.

Under the Stars and Stripes. emblems of
that liberty for which he fought so brave
ly and against such overwhelming odds,
General Piet Cronje. Boer commander.
veteran of many hard-fought battle. was
welded Tuesday morning at II o'clock to
Mrs Johanna Stertzel Of johannesburg,
South Africa. at the Boer War inclosure
at the Worlds Fair.
1t was not a public wedding for the
populace to gap at, but a serious and ro-
mantle marriage between the old hero and
the woman for whom he had formed a
strong attachment after a close associa-
ton of few months.
Above the heads OF the bride and bride
groom were intertwined the flags of the
United States. the Beers and Of Great
Britain. symbOlizing the peace that now
exists between the three and the we'd
ding ceremony was performed in three
languages. as a compliment to the nativi-
ty of the bridegroom, Dutch; of the
bride, German. and OF the place Of the
ceremony. English.
The wedding ceremony was performed
by the Reverend Richard Kretschmar.
pastor of the Emmaus Evangelical Luth
eran Church OF st. Louis, at which Gen
eral Cronje and his bride have been regu-
lar attendants since they arrived in St.
Louis. The minister first addressed the
guests in English, then asked the mar
riage questions OF the General in Dutch
and of the bride in German.
Commandant Van Dam OF the Beers
was the grzzled old Generals attendant
and Mrs. Henry ]. Meyer of Johannes
burg, South Africa. whose husband was
formerly of St. Louis. was the matron of
honor.
FORMER FOES AS GUESTS.
The guests were not many and were all
immediate friends and companions a. arms
or former foes OF General Cronje The
Dutch marriage service was read by the
minister. followed by a touching discourse
on the love and happiness ana the peace
and quietness of the remaining years of
General Cronje and his bride.
At the close of the address General
Cronje and his bride arose They clasped
hands. both hands crossed the right above
the left. and the minister asked the usual
questions: Will YOU take this woman.
etc? General Cronje bowed his head In
assent. His response was very low-almost
whisper. The bride and bridegroom then
changed places and she answered, similar
Questions, making her replies in English.
Alter the congratulations and greetings
of thelr friends. the bride and bridegroom
entered q coast cart. an OVergrOWn two
wheeled gig. to which were hitched four
prancing roam horses, and were driven TO
the Temple Inn. where the wedding lunch
.on was served, The guests followed on
foot. The tables were decorated With
sweet peas and bride roses. Covers were
iald FOR ABOUT 20 guests. After the lunch
con Commandant Nijoen offered Il toast
To the bride and bridegroom. which was
drunk standing by the guests. in pure,
cold. crystal water.
General Cronje thanked the guests for
their attendance at the wedding and for
their hearty greetings and well wishes. In
part. he said in Dutch. Commandant VII
joen translating for him:
1T was Il pleasant surprise when land
ed at Newport News to find the American
people there TO greet me with such warm
words of welcome. / have been more than
pleased to see that the same warm. friend
ly feeling exists here in St. Louis and
from all the visitors to the Worlds Fair.
The warm welcome which have received
by the American people Is. / think. the
greatest tribute that can be paid to any
man. woman or child.
II have sometimes been greatly amused
by people wondering If am the real Gen
any doubt. | can introduce you to about
fifty persons here who have known me
all my life. This woman on my right"
here General Cronje placed his hand on
the shoulder of Mrs. Henry j. Meyer, II
have known her ever since she was a
babe in arms. ! knew her father and her
grandfather. We were comrades. | hope
If there are any here who doubt that |
am the real General cronie that they are
satisfied that l am myself.
THANK you all for your good wishes,