The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1915-08-08
Wedding HALF
CENTURY LATE
Couple Just Start on Honey
moon that Should Have Be-
gun Fifty Years Ago.
QUARRELED AND PARTED
Photograph Helps Sweetheart of Long
Ago to Find Her Soldier. Now
an Old Man.
QUARRELED AND PARTED

Chicago, Aug. THAT truth is stranger
than fiction, and that there are romances
in peal life prettier than the best con-
ception of the storywriter. are exempn-
fed by wedding that took place here
Alexander A. Fickes, "A. and Mrs. Jen-
ME E. Williams. 6s. were married by
Rev. A. E. Saunders. pastor Of Western
Avenue Methodist Church.
Then they started on the honeymoon
which should have begun Just fifty years
ago. They are now in Marengo. receiv-
ing congratulations from old friends who
knew them before the war.
Fifty-five years ago. when the first
gun was fired on Fort Sumter. Alexander
A. Fickes was one of the young "bloods''
of jacksonville. ILL.,, and was one Of the
first to enlist.
He had a little sweetheart at Spring
field, who though only 10, was already
noted for her beauty. Away marched
the young soldier after a hasty trip to
Springfield, when each pledged undying
love for the other.
AN through the war they corresponded.
Every time he got furlough he went
to Springfield. and when Lee surrendered
! he hurried in triumph to her home.
They Quarrel, Then Part.
She who had been a pretty little girl
in 1850 had become a beautiful young
woman in 1865. and their Nutual friends
looked forward to a speedy announce
ment of their formal engagement.
But it SO happened that she had some
decided views regarding the South.
Though she thoroughly approved of the
ia hot he far fry
they did not agree on the reconstruction
policy, and one day they had a violent
quarrel.
Both were high spirited neither would
yield. each felt that the other was very
much at fault. and the breach did not
heal. And finally each met and loved
some one else. One day he received the
news that she had married another man.
Very shortly afterward he married an
other woman
Several years ago her husband died.
Neither had seen nor heard of the other
for nearly half century, but neither
had forgotten
shows Photo of Soldier.
Six months ago Flckes was visiting a
nephew in Jacksonville. and the local
newspapers mentioned the fact. Mrs.
Williams was visiting friends in the
vicinity and read one Of the newspaper
accounts.
Several days later. having dug down
deep in a trunk. she called at the place
OF business of his nephew and showed
him a photograph of a soldier boy. ask
ing him if he knew the face.
Yes" was the prompt reply. That
is my uncle. who has just gone back to
Chicago. How in the world do you hap
pen to have it,"
Mrs. Williams told him and he prompt
~ wrote to his uncle. When Fickes re-
ceived the letter he Immediately con-
suited timetables and the first train took
him to the place where she was visit
ing.
Then a little wedding party called at
the parsonage of the Western Avenue
Methodist Church. Besides the bride and
bridegroom there were Mr.. and Mrs. J..
NJ. Beidelman, the latter a niece. and
Mr.. and Mrs. Albert F. Allen. at whose
home FiCkes has lived for some time,
When they return from their long
delayed honeymoon they will reside in .
| handsome home on the West Side.