St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1914-03-25
LUNENBURG.
Golden Wedding of MIR. and Mrs.
Charles w. Thomas-Pe

GOluSn N6uulng OF 01f. anu MIS-.
Charles w. Thomas-PersonaI
Notes.
1.-The chain of friendship heightened
far
Links days that were, with days
that are"
At the Ruben Bell homestead in
the north part of the town of Lunen-
burg on the evening of March 18th,
1864, were gathered happy party
of the relatives of Charles W. Thomas
and Miss Susan Bell, whose marriage
occurred at that time The officiat-
ing clergyman was the Rev. William
Sewall, who is still remembered by
many as the pastor of the Congrega-
tional church. Mr.. Thomas and Miss
Bell were closely associated with the
popular young people of that date,
and were descended from old sub
stantial families, who were always
found actively engaged in the best
interests, both social and religious,
of the town, when their ancestors
had Joined other families, in the at
tempt to establish their homes in the
rugged wilderness that summoned
them. Two daughters came to
brighten this union, Daisy who only
lived until about three years old, and
Mabel who married Karl o. Balch
and who has always remained with
her father and mother. About eight
years ago the family moved from
Sunny Side Farm to what is now
known as Elmcroft in Lunenburg
village, and it was at this home that
Mr. and Mrs. Thomas received their
many friends on the afternoon and
evening of March 10th, 1914. While
! s-,fr al &c
especially enjoyable, both to Mr.. and
Mrs Thomas and their guests. The
rooms were lastly decorated in yell
low, and a panel prettily arranged
which contained the dates, 1864 and
1914. At the earnest request of Mr..
and Mrs. Thomas, gifts were omit
ted, but in their places, came a pro-
fusion of the most beautiful flowers,
from friends nearby, as well as from
more distant points, among which
were so roses, so pinks, and 80
narcissi, together with many other
collections of rare blossoms. A large
number of congratulatOry letters from
people unable to be present were re-
ceived, among which was a poem by
Mrs. Vernon Bell of Minneapolis,
and an especially happy incident was
a poem by the Rev. Mr.. Simpson pas
tor of the Methodist church, both Of
these poems being written for the
occasion Music, vocal and instrument
tai, interspersed the festivities among
which were two duets by Kyle 7.
Brown and Alfred Monroe, selections
by Miss Cristie Balch and Miss Mar
iory Bell AS finishing touch, old
time songs were heartily Joined in
by the entire company, which at both
afternoon and evening, numbered
about 125 people. One unusual
feature being especially noticeable,
was the fact that Mr.. Thomas wore
the same wedding suit that he used
so years, before, and in the general
opinion of those present he was, to
say the least, as we'll dressed as any
of the company. Mr.. and Mrs.
Thomas took great pleasure the day
following, in personally distributing
some of the flowers, TO those who
from illness or other cause were un-
able to greet them in their home.
That this worthy couple may live
to enjoy many anniversaries OF Mar.
16, was the expressed wish of all.
Henry Rogers and wife of Ply
mouth, N. H., J. F. McCarty and wife
of st. Johnsbury, VT, and Chas. Bell
and wife of McIndoes, VT, were
guests at "Elmcroft" last week COM
ing to attend the golden wedding
for their uncle and aunt, Mr.. and
Mrs. Charles w. Thomas.