The Farmington times. (Farmington, St. Francois County, Mo.) 1905-1926, 1916-12-29
GOLDEN WEDDING


Mr. and Mrs. T. v. Swearingen cell
ebrated the fiftieth anniversary Of
their marriage on Christmas Day, at
their home two miles north Of Farm
ington. The families of their three
children were all present DIR. and
Mrs. w. A. Swearingen of Hayti, Mo,
Mr.. and Mrs. F. M. (LelD Horton and
son, Thomas, of Flat River, and Mr..
and Mrs. Zeno l.. Swearingen and
children, Willie and Walter, of St.
Louis, besides about $50 guests from
Flat River, Pennington and the sur
rounding country. Among those from
a distance were S. R. Turley of Fit.
Payne, Ala, brother of Mrs. Swearin-
gen, Mrs. A. Turley of Paragould,
Ark, and Judge and Mrs. 7. B.
Straughan and daughter, Mrs. Peter
Weller, of Ste. Genevieve.
The home was beautifully decorated
in gold and white, and profusion of
cut flowers of the prevailing color
yellow and white) were artistically
arranged on the dining table and
about the reception room. Mr.. and
Mrs. Swearingen, their bright faces
wreathed in smiles, stood beneath a
large golden bell and received their
congratulating guests. The some
times custom on such occasions of 60
ing through with the marriage cere-
mony was omitted, but Rev. R. c.
Martin, who on December 10th pass
ed the 82nd mile stone of life's jour-
ney, read a chapter from Holy Writ,
commented on the long, beautiful, Sc
rene and happy life of the groom and
bride of fifty years ago, and reverent-
ly asked Gods blessing and contin-
ued watchcare over them.
Three of the guests present were
at the wedding on December 25th,
1865. R. Turley and Mrs. A. Tur-
ley, mentioned above, and Mrs. Lu-
cetta Hunt (nee Turley) of Flat Riv-
er, a cousin Of Mrs. Swearingen. Mrs.
Hunt, to the delight of all present,
gave a description of that wedding,
and especially of the dinner. Among
other things on the table was roast
ed pig with large red apple in its
mouth, baked wild turkey, and cake
made with butter milk and soda
they didn't then have the prepared
baking powder now so handy for
making cakes-and of course the old
time custard and float, pies and
other goodies" Pointing to an old
Seth Thomas clock that was ticking
away in the room, she said, "apd that
old clock was there, ticking away just
as it is today" 1t has been in the
family ever since and is as regular
and good time marker as it ever
was.
Mrs. Edith Ledbetter, a grand
daughter of Mrs. Hunt, then sang in
sweet and most effective way that
beautiful old song, "Silver Threads
Among the Gold".
Mr.. Swearingen is rs years of age
and the "idol of his heart" is sc. They
are both well preserved and in good
health, and the kindness of their dear
odl hearts beamed upon their guests
and radiated happiness all around. 1t
was delightful occasion for all who
were so fortunate as to be present,
and these dear old hearts will cherish
it the balance of their days as well as
the sincere congratulations rendered
them and the many beautiful pres
ents of which they were the recipients
on this golden anniversary. Numer-
Gus letter of congratulation from
friends and relatives in many States
were received by them, and of course
these are priced very highly.
Mr.. and Mrs. Swearingen were both
born and reared in this vicinity-the
former in st. Francois county and the
latter in Ste. Genevieve county. They
have lived here all their lives and are
among our very best people, enjoying
the love, esteem and respect of wide
circle of friends and acquaintances
in the highest degree. The Times
Joins all their other friends in wish
ing for them the largest need Of
peace, joy and happiness in the many
years that we hope are in store for
them.