Year: 1879

ton entertained TOT you DJ HOJ oHiN those present, but by every one who has been so fortunate as to know you.

 There are other reasons, aside from those of purely personal and social nature, which have actuated your friends in presenting to you these tokens of their esteem. They recognize, General, the great servlc- es you have performed as a delegate in congress, as member of the na tional senate, and in various other and honorable positions where the people have chosen you to represent them. The great state of Iowa, which within the period since you wefe married, has grown from wild prairie to one of the leading commonwealths of the land, among the foremost in agriculture as it is in population, acknowledges the great work you have done for her. Of the interests of our own city es pecially, you were ever mindful when you occupied positions where you could dc her good. In this re spect it IS the unanimous voice of all your fellow citizens of Dubuque you were never found wanting. And you will please regard this present tonight as a slight token of thelr appreciation and remembrance of what yor have done for Dubuque.

 To both of you we hope for the continuation of the many years that have crowned your welded life. To you General, who have been highly favored and honored by your fellow citizens, leader among men, good neighbor and q devoted friend; and to you Mrs. Jones, who is beloved by all who know her, the best of neighbors, the kindest of friends, consolation to those who mourn; possessed of all the domestic vir- tues that adorn womankind, gentle in spirit, strong for the right, deyot ed to those she loves and to all she knows, walking eSemplitication of the purity and graces and beauties of the Christian religion, aD exam pie of all that is best In wife, in mother, in friend and in neighbor, we feel as dld your friends fifty years ago in again congratulating your husband upon the wisdom of his choice. May you both live these many years to enjoy happy age, and the golden decline of yeil-spent and useful lives.

 General Jones, as we'll as the mem bers of the family were surprised and affected by this token of esteem in which they are held, and the gen eral replied substantially as follows: Mir, Ham, Ladies and Gentlemen:

 You have placed me in one of the most embarrassing, but at the same time gratifying positions ill my life time of seventy-fve years. Fifty five years ago 1 first met this then sweet girl at party in St. Gene vieve. The first look made deep impression upon me, which multi piled and grew as the years passed. She has been the truest and best of wIves-no wife could have been more faithful to her husband, no mother more devoted to her children. How can l feel otherwise than em- barrassed upon such an occasion as this, taken entirely by surprise as l am; it is impossible to convey to you the sentiments l feel in my heartI l came here as boy, six miles east, to seek my fortune with the purpose of sharing with her that fortune when gained. God in his infinite goodness and wisdom has blessed and elevated me to positions of honor and trust; I came here l say as a boy to Slnsinawa Mound; 1 camped upon the ground, cooked and slept upon the ground with no covering but the open sky; l went into log cabin, which these hands helped to build, The logs were cut and hewn by me in the open forest. There l brought Josephine Gregolre as sharer of my joys and sorrows. She has stood by me in storm and pros perty with a devotion equal to the greatest that one human being could show towards another, l do not know how to express my gratitude to you in a betitting manner. It Is only necessary for me to reiterate my thanks for the honors which have been conferred upon me by my fel low citizens. hope you will excuse me if l say nothing more, but to thank you for myself and dearly be- loved wife for what you have done.

 The presents above referred to consisted of stem winding watch of the finest grade of works turned out by the Elgin factory, enclosed in a very heavy Mansard hunting case, handsomely engraved, with heavy linked chain attached, as q token to the groom, and very hand some ring, consisting of three large diamonds of the first water mounted upon a heavy gold setting and this upon triple gold circlet. Inside the watch was engraved, "Presented to Hon. Geo. w. Jones on his 50th wedding anniversary by his friends, Jan. 7th, lS79.o

 Among the notable guests present