The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1920-06-08

DR.. AND MRS. PORTER CELE
BRATE GOLDEN WEDDING
ANNIVE RSARY

sANNIVEHSAHY
From the Key West Citizen of June 2.
Yesterday. June /, 1920. found Doctor
quietly and healthfully thinking over
their past of fifty years. It was the
anniversary Of their marriage In this
city on June I. 1870. They are both
native Key Westers and have lived
married life in the same house at the
The doctor was born in this house and
his boyhood was passed in this home
which has so many sacred memories
to him. He sleeps in the same room
that he was born in and tradition has
it the same spot in the room where ne
first saw light. Mrs. Porter was born
not far away, on Simonton street but
lived her girlhood where Hon. George
w. Allen now has his home. The
Doctor and Mrs. Porter thus grew up
together and were "sweethearts" when
still little tots. So these young
people" are a part of the life history
of this island and therefore this their
fiftieth anniversary of marriage is of
peculiar interest to the older genera
renee is still fresh in the memory Of
many. No invitations or announce
ments of the approaching event was
previously made for the reason as the
doctor said, it savored too much for
a bid for presents, which neither he
nor his wife wanted or approved of.
But the children-and all were present
except the young doctor-were not
permitting such an important event to
them to pass unnoticed, SO they PLAN
ned a surprise to their parents and a
score of old friends were invited to
the Doctor and Mrs. Por-
ter on having reached an eopch of life
very seldom attained. The surprise
was genuine one, and the secret was
well kept both by the children and the
friends who they had hidden. The doc
tor was at a Legion meeting and when |!
home by telephone saying !!
he was urgently needed he was no
little worried until he reached the /
house and was met by SO many OF his
Did friends with congratulations and |
good wishes. /
It is memorable that so many were
present last evening who were in at
tendance at a similar gathering fifty
years ago. One bridesmaid and one
since that time have
Joined the great silent majority. but
here were many who recalled happy
Incidents and pleasant thoughts OF the
summer evening of June i, 1870.
Hon. George B. Patterson who was
the best man" then was present last
light, hale and hearty, seemingly In
perfect vigor of body and mind, and
.Irs., Kate Baldwin, one of the brides
maids was as full of spirit and frolic
asst evening as she was bubbling over
With fun and mischievous intent half
! century ago when she stood be-
ides the "blushing bride" 1t was
young old surprise party, and 1T had
o be for the house. although capacious
you'd not have been large enough to
ave accommodated the large circle OF
of the younger set who
he Doctor and Mrs. Porter would have
cen delighted to welcome for although
hey have fulfilled the allotted period
( life yet they are by no means old
i the sense that the pleasures of the
Dung have ceased to be attractive to
hem for they dearly love young peo-
lie.
Delicious refreshments were served
tier in the evening, Contemplating to
large degree of those of half a GEN.
Try ago, except that champagne which
owed like water on the first event,
18th other thirst quenchables, was
anting and the toast to the bride in
rape juice lacked the inspiring COM
liment which sparkling burgundy or
ieve- clinquot would have carried.
The evening was delightfully."- spent
! music, singing and dancing and
ames of youthful days, and when Mrs.
clancy played Aud Lang Syne fol-
wed by home, Sweet Home, and the
lests babe the doctor and his wife
BOD night with wishes for many more
1niversaries even to the seventy
filth, the diamond celebration, the
young -old folks" were grateful to
leir children who had planned such
joyous surprise to them.