The Canon City record with which is consolidated the Canon City cannon., 1913-03-20
CELEBRATE
5OTH WEDDING
ANNIVERSARY

and Mrs. George Murray was held at
their home, 7O9 Hazel avenue. on
Tuesday of this week and many
friends OF the venerable couple called
on them during the day to extend their
felicitations. The affair was formally
celebrated by a commemorative dinner
at noon at which covers we're laid for
half a score of guests, among whom
were Mr.. and Mrs. Robert Harrison,
Mr.. and Mrs. John Weed, Mr.. and Mrs.
o. B. Meskiman and Mr.. and Mrs.
Alonzo Harrison.
The dinner, which was a delightful
affair in every respect. was followed
by a public reception from three till
FIVE O'Clock during the afternoon in the
course of which a most interesting en-
tertainment program consisting of
musical selections. addresses, etc,
were rendered. There were
vocal solos by Mrs. J. G. Sch
weigert and brief talk by Rev. J. F.
Harris, pastor of the First Methodist
church. a short chronicle was read
by Rev. A. d. Fairbanks of the lives of
Rev. and Mrs. Murray, to which they
made appropriate response. Rev. Har-
ris read the eighty-seventh Psalm and
closed his address by presenting Rev.
and Mrs. Murray with a golden SOU
venir commemorative OF the half CEN
fury of their married life.
Rev. and Mrs. Murray were married
in Jackson county, Ohio. March the
City two years later as missionaries
OF the Methodist church. They set
tied in Colorado City and their relig-
ious work there and throughout south
ern Colorado paved the way for the
splendid growth OF that faith which fol-
lowed during the next few years. They
were pioneers. no: only of Methodism,
but OF the refining influences OF civil
ization. and the people OF this section
owe them a debt that can never be
adequately repaid and which entities
them to the utmost measure OF es-
TEEN and veneration from the present
generation. j4AF-
They went through all OF the hard
ships and privations incident to that
early day and as evangels of the
Christian life on the frontier fifty
years ago won the respect of all with
whom they were brought in contact.
Rev. Murray organized the First Meth
odist church OF Canon City. January
seventeenth. 1866, with eighteen mem-
bers and 1t exists today a splendid
monument to his religious enterprise.
Rev. and Mrs. Murray came to this
city in 1901 to make their home. but
shortly afterwards went to California
where they remained fer several years.
returning here, however, in 1906 TO
again take up their residence In this
community. They acquired by pur-
chase the property where they now
live and since then have lived a quiet.
retired existence. although alert at
all times to the welfare of those about
them.
Such people as Rev. and Mrs. MUIR
ray are OF extreme value to the COM
munity as exemplars of all that IS
best in our civilization and are entitled
by their good works to the plaudiis
and admiration OF those who have sue
ceeded them In the field OF religious
endeayor. The congratulations OF the
public at large is rendered to Rev.
and Mrs. Murray on the happy cul-
mination of the semi-centeniary OF
their wedding day. coupled with the
hope that they may live to enjoy many
similar anniversaries under an equally
pleasant environment