The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1912-02-20
GOLDEN WEDDING BELLS RING FOR
 THE SKELETONS
Fifty Years of Welded Life for Prominent Local
 Couple
NUPTIAL ANNIVERSARY
 MASS AT ST. AUGUSTINE'S
Golden Gifts Galore for Re
 spected Couple Who Are Enjoying Excellent Health

MT. and Mrs. George Stapleton. among the best known and most rep .resentative of the older residents of Bridgeport. were handsomely remem- bered by many friends today the oc- casion of their golden wedding enni- versary. MT. Stapleton enjoys the distinction of having been the first truckman in Bridgeport. He has been engaged continuously for 54 years in the trucking and contracting bushes.
 At o'clock this morning the Rev c. J. McElroy. P. R., of St. Angus tines. church. celebrated a nuptial mass, assisted by the Rev. J. D. Ken .nedy and Rev. Edward V. Murphy, offering the sacrifice of the mass for the first time upon the beautiful al- tar of Carrara marble dedicated by MT and Mrs. Suspicion to the Blessed Virgin as memorial gift of the Sta pleton family to St. Augustine's church. Prof. Brisebois was at the organ.
 The family and a number of rela- tives and friends assisted at the ser vices. Following the mass, Father McElroy spoke briefly from the altar. extending congratulations to MT. and Mrs. StapIeton and bespeaking for them a continuance of their health
 MT and Mrs. Stapleton are the old est couple attending St. Augustine's church. They were married in the old St. James church, long before the present stately edifice dedicated to St. Augustine's was even contemplat- ed. The church stood at Washington and Arch street. The clergyman was the late Rev Father Thomas J. Sym mott. Mrs. Stapleton's maiden name was Bridget O'Neil. The family has resided ever since within the confines of St. James or St. Augustine's parish.
 Eleven children blessed their narri- are Mrs. Thomas J. Dewitt and Miss Sarah G. Stapleton, There are two grandchildren. MT. Stapleton is the last of his own family. When he port had a population of only 120O0 and in the vicinity of his present home, Washington avenue and Center street, was farm land The only house in the vicinity was that of Daniel H. Sterling. the war mayor of Bridge port The stone steps of which are now to be seen in the open lot at Main and Catherine sts.
 MT. Suspicion had the first modern truck in this city, having been the first to engage iD the trucking busi- ness exclusively. MT. Stapleton's dealing and close attention to cess He enjoyed the confidence of the business world and has a large and prosperous contracting and truck ing business and despite his advanc- ing years he takes as keen interest as ever in the conduct of his affairs The family is among the most active In St. AuguStine's church. MT. Staple ton, a devout Catholic, has been trus- tee of the church many years. He is 75 and his devoted wife who becams his bride 50 years ago today is T. Both are in possession of excellent health, and today they were as buoy ant and enthusiastic in receiving feli- citations as any of the most youthful of their friends.
 F7afr- 11 m orntng with beautiful floral rernem- branees, and during the day they re- cetved a large number of beautiful golden gifts many from other cities.