Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1915-04-10
GOLDEN WEDDING ANNIVERSARY

"A
W. Purlnton, celebrated their golden
wedding anniversary at their home ar
Banner, Kans., last Monday, April S,
1910 The day was almost perfect.
being marked by bright, genial, gold
en- sunshine - appropriate for the
occasion and happy omen for the
future. Excepting the family of
their daughter, Mrs. J. N. See who
were detained by sickness, all their
children and grandchildren were
present with about 20 of their imme-
date neighbors and friends who were
present to offer congratulations on
the past and good wishes for the fu-
ture. The social features included
the rendering of several old time
songs, including of course, ''Silver
Threads Among the Gold" also the
reading of a poem entitled Goods
Gold, )" which was written for the
occasion by Miss Adella See, their
granddaughter, and there was an
abundance of substantial comforts
spread upon the waiting tables for
the sustenance of all corners.
A. w. Purinton was born at
Melissa G. Durfey was born at Bris-
tol In the same state a pril 27, 1874.
They were married April 5, 1865, at
New Haven, in their native state.
Their first years of married life were
spent on farm in Vermont, followed
by one year in Henry county, Iowa.
Feeling the call of the further west,
Mr.. rPurinton filed on a homestead
near Banner November 8, 1877.
where the family arrived May IL,
1879, and where they have lived ever
since except for few years in the
nlneties which were spent at Salina
During those first years at Banner,
Mr.. and Mrs. Purinton endured all
the hardships of pioneer life and
faithfully performed all the duties
incident to the building up of pros
porous, enlightened, Christian COM
munity. They were among the first
members of the M. E. class formed
at Banner and are still active in the
church and Sunday school work of
the neighborhood. Both are ardent
Prohibitionists and have given time
and influence to the cause of temper
ance, both by precept and example.
Mr.. Purinton has never smoked
a cigar or taken a glass
of beer, and now, being well
past the biblical three score and ten,
both are hale and hearty, without
help taking care of their own house
work, milking seven cows and caring
for forty head of cattle and horses.
Both are known for deeds of charity
and neighborly kindness and even in
the early days, when telephones and
autos were unknown, no night was
so dark or stormy they did not re-
spond to the call of the sick, and
their home was never so crowded
they did not find room for the needy
wayfarer or provide place for the
entertainment of newly-found neigh
bors- Mr.. Purinton, as one of the
county commissioners and as a
private citizen, didshis full share in
the Organization of the county, it's
townships and school districts and
still takes an active interest in pub
lie affairs.
Few people are permitted to live
together afuIT half century, aRd tits
a long, long way" from Vermont in
1865 to Banner, Kans., 1915, but the
hearts of this couple, beating as one,
are fright there" In fitting recognf-
tiou of this, the friends of Mr.. and
Mrs. Purinton sent them hearty
congratulations and many beautiful,
useful and valuable presents, inclu-
ding gold coins, rings, chains,
charms, spoons, books and a gilded
clock to mark the passing of the
golden hours. Want of space forbids
that we publish list of the gifts and
the several doners, and in our haste
to get away on our California trip we
are unableto present q suitable picture
of this estimable couple as we had
hoped to do. However we feel that
Mr.. and Mrs Purinton will not doubt
our sincerity as we join a host of
friends, near and far, in wishing
them many more years of happiness
together.