The Canon City record with which is consolidated the Canon City cannon., 1916-10-05


$50 to 10 w. o. w. Hall
Canon City, Colo.
Frances Ann VarveI James L. Wray
In response to invitations of like
description with the above nearly two
hundred people assembled at Wood
man hall at O'Clock Thursday even
ing to assist in commemorating the
siXtieth anniversary of Mr.. and Mrs.
James l.. Wray, who were the guests
of honor at one of the most notable
events of it's kind ever celebrated in
Canon City. Few people are priyileg-
ed to commemorate sixty years of
married life and fewer still are per-
mitted to signalize such an anniver
sary under such a pleasing environ
ment as was the case with Mr.. and
Mrs. Wray Thursday evening.
The elaborate nature of the cele-
bration was suggested by relatives of
Mr.. and Mrs. Wray and was de-
serving tribute to a worthy couple
who have rounded out six decades OF
welded existence; a remarkable cir
cumstance when one recalls that the
average of human life is but little
more than thirty-three years. The
gathering at Woodman hall Thurs
day night was notable by reason of
its representative character, as well
as by the unusual incident that in
spired it. There was music and flow
ers, speechmaking and song, gaiety
and laughter to make the occasion a
memorable one and to make it wor-
thy of those whom it was designated
to honor.
AT the hour appointed for their com
ing Mr.. and Mrs. Wray entered the
hall, preceded by two of their little
granddaughters with their arms full
of flowers. The daughters of the
aged couple, Mrs. Dollie Gardner. Mrs
]. S. Meredith and Mrs. w. o. Boles,
followede and the party proceeded to
the rostrum where seats had been
prepared for them. AS they marched
with measured tread to their appoint
ed places the assembled guests sang
Put on Your Old Gray Bonnet With
the Blue Ribbons On It." in accord
ance with an arrangement previously
made. There were palms and cut
flowers in profusion in front and on
either side of the rostrum which
made a very pretty setting for the
affair to be commemorated and the
program that was to follow.
Mrs. Meredith was mistress of
ceremonies and presented Mr.. and
Mrs Wray to the assemblage on be-
half of her sisters and herself as
our father and mother" which elicit
ed applause. The first musical num-
ber was Silver Threads Among the
Cold" sang as a duet by Mrs. Arthur
G Wilson and Miss Wilma Newcomb
to a piano accompaniment. Other
features of the musical program were
vocal solo by Mrs. Geo. w. Bethel.
Jr., a vocal duet by Mrs. Bethel and
Mrs. Wilson and baritone solo by
Mr.. w. J. McCarron. The speechmak
ing of the evening was done by Judge
l. w. Ibbotson and Mayor ID. n.
Cooper, both of whom expressed their
delight at being present and in being
permitted to participate in the festiv-
tiles of the occasion From Judge
rbbotscn's address, which was largely
biographical. we were able to obtain
the following data in relation to the
guests of honor: :.
James l.. Wray was born in Shelby
county, Indiana, in 1886. When four
years Of age he removed with his
parents, Mr.. and Mrs. Jordan Wray.
to Buchanan county. Missouri. and 1t
was there that he met for the first
time the girl whom Fate had des-
tined to become his wife Her name
but five years old at that time; Mr..
Wray himself being a lad of nine. 1t
was at the house of Mr.. Wray's faith
er that these children saw each other
tor the first time and the meeting
was so pleasing to the boy that he
pointed to his playmate and eXclaim-
ed, there's my girl" From that
time on until they grew up they were
friends and lovers. They attended the
same log school house and Mr.. Wray
would occasionally take his sweet
hart on horseback to church.
When Mr.. Wray was twenty years
old and Miss Frances was sixteen.
they Were married by the local Meth
odist minister. They established
their home in Buchanan county
where they lived until 1860 when
they started for Kansas in an OK cart
They crossed the Missouri river in a
fatboat and were in danger of drown
ing, but finally managed to get across
in safety They settled near Coffey-
Vile where they took up a govern
Inent homestead and where they
made their home for period of five
years. They then went to Jefferson
county, Kansas, where they resided
until coming TO Canon City in 1871.
They underwent all OF the vicissi-
tudes of pioneer life and were sue
cessful in all that they did. Mr.. Wray
was reputed 10 be the largest land
owner and one of the wealthiest farm
ers In Jefferson county. He was CIV
en- gold medal In recognition Of his
superior qualities nG an agricultural.
That nobody IN the county stood high
or In tho public estimation than Mr..
wray rs evidenced by letter writ
ten by the president OF the State