The Colville examiner. [volume] (Colville, Wash.) 1907-1948, 1917-01-20
IN EARLY HISTORY
SOME EARLY MARRIAGE LICENSES
Continued from last week.
(By John B. Slater historian Of the
stevens County Pioneer Association.l D

stevens County Pioneer Assoclatioh'is
The cruel extravagances and
racial differences in high society;
as we know it today would be-
rudely and grievously shocked
were the time piece Of the century.
turned back 80 years to the day
when the prospect Of a wedding
anywhere in the valley was suf-,
fcient invitation to all good
spirited people to come, and the
measure of welcome was prOpor-l
tionate to the quantity OF intoxl-
cants Individually contributed to
the merriment Of the occasion. IT
was not unusual for guest to-
carry, tied to the horn of his sad.
die, a gallon of whislley, and ride.
in a gallop 40 miles to wedding
or an infare. The social import
ance of the event was known by
the number of gallons of "chain
lightning" (the word booze =
was then unknown) placed at the
disposal Of the goodly company.
The astronomical demonstration
by the bridegroom on a clear,
moonlit, wintry night, surrounded
by his numerous gentlemen
friends. outside, and safely around
a corner Of the residence Of the
brides parents, as he poised a
quart bottle upon it's nozzle be-
tween his teeth and squinted at
the fartherest star in the firma-
ment. while the contents gurgled
INCREASINGLY into oblivion, was
truly amusing. The grand march
was known only in the books. A
waltz, schottische, quadrille, and
all promenade partners in lope
to their seats, was the order of
the dance; then the clear sky and
the artillery" The ladies in
those days did not drink. Thss
rather regarded it the privilege Of
a man. They did not know the
odor of the beverage, especially
when smothered in cloves and
Colorado madurO capitatus, and
it was source of much satisfac-
tion to their escorts that this
crude materia medica could so eff
fectually obscure the source of
eXhilaration that drove the mon
seurs like a tornado through the
night s entertainment. The line
of social distinction was the hOri-
zon. In this early day the pale
faced and the dusky maidens We'd
with each other for the favor of
the gallant courtiers and were
equal favorites in the dance.
And, through all this cultural pro-
cess of bringing the country to a
sense of civilization, marrying
and giving in marriage grew i'll
popularity. The records show
the growth of the matrimonial in
stitution.
In the following Abstract after the
date, the first named is the bridegroom
second, the bride, and third the oifici-
ating clergyman or officer:
April rs, 1868. Edward McCrea, aged
33, and Cara, an Indian girl, aged II;
George w. Harvey, justice of the peace.
May II, 1868. Jacob Gillett and Miss
Mary Kay; J. Josef, S. ].
November 80, 1868. Louis Peras and
Emarence Gendreau; w. Grassi, S. j.
February I. 1869. John Stengar and
Mary Pierre; w. Grassi, s. j.
February %, 1869. George w. Jacobs
and Catherine Bissell; James Monag
han, justice of the peace.
April s. 1869. Sto-a akin, an Indian,
and Marri, an Indian GIRL James Mon
Afghan, justice of the peace.
July "a, 1869. Peter G.. Matt and
Isabelle Finley; G. D'Aste, s. ].
July 6, 1870. Charles II. Montgomery
and Margaret Brown; John Duplisse,
judge of the probate court.
December 13, 1871. Adolph Lavarie
and Mary Gouir; FIR. vanzine, minister
of the gospel.
January 4, 1871. George McCrea and
Maggie McCloud L. Vanzine, minister
of the gospel.
July 2, 1871. Lambert Hilburn and
Mamie, an Indian girl FIR Vanzine,
$. j.
December IA, 1871. Louis Monsouer
and Louise Jandreau; FIR. Tosi, s. J.
November 6, 1871. d. Couchine and
Mary Barniby; Hiram Stills, justice of
the peace.
February IL, 1872. William Newman
and Elizabeth .Barniby; F. w. Perkins,
justice of the peace.
February 81, 1872. John B. Berland
and Rosalie Morgeau; Henry f. Young,
Justice of the peace