Blackford-Stutsman Marriage 1899

BLACKFORD, STUTSMAN

Posted By: Volunteer - Rich Lowe
Date: 7/28/2014 at 10:23:54

BRILLIANT WEDDING.

Two Popular Young People
of Bonaparte United With
Much Pomp and Ceremony.

STUTSMAN-BLACKFORD.

On the evening of September 13, Miss Xantippe Stutsman, the only child of Mrs. E. Lewis Stutsman, and Mr. Winfield Scott Blackford were married at the residence of the bride's mother in Bonaparte, by Rev. H. R. Lewis, of Wamego, Kansas, grandfather of the bride, assisted by Rev. Scofield, their pastor. Among the many most beautiful characteristics of this wedding was the many evidence of affection of a host of friends of the young bride.

The ceremony was performed under a bell of tube and bride roses. The soft glow of light fell on a beautiful scene, the back ground being palms of all descriptions and a profusion of ferns and smilax. This made an excellent effect. The flowers were furnished by Mr. William C. Laisle, of Keokuk. Miss Capitola Blackmer, dressed in cor-colored silk, was at the piano and played the accompaniment to the wedding songs sung by Mr. Craig Miller, of Keosauqua. The songs were "Call Me Thine Own," "Since Thou Art Mine" and "Entreat me not to Leave Thee." Then the soft sweet strains of the wedding march from Lohengrin were heard from the piano. Then came forth the three daisy chain girls, Janie Sharp in Georgia Lineaweaver, in corn-colored silk, and Gertrude McDonald in white, ushered by Marshall Oberg. Then came the two ushers, Messrs. Frank Ketchem and Harry Jones, followed by the groom and his best man, his brother, Aaron, followed by the little ring bearer, Stanley Meck, dressed in white satin.

Next, the brides-maids, Miss Carrie Stutsman, cousin of the bride, and Miss Dorothy Christie, both dressed in white. Then appeared Miss Regina Vale, maid of honor, in a charming gown of corn-colored silk trimmed in white chiffon; followed by the little flower girl, Benna Blackmer, dressed in white silk, carrying one hundred fifty bride roses. Then the bride entered leaning on the arm of her uncle, Hon. A. H. Stutsman, of Burlington, who gave her away. The bride was dressed in pearl duchess satin trimmed in point De Elamaine and chiffon with a silk tulle veil reaching to the end of the train, and fastened with a diamond pin. During the marriage ceremony the march was softly played.

The dining room, into which the guests were then ushered, was decorated with white roses, ferns and white and yellow ribbons entwined with smilax suspended from the ceiling; also peaches, and candy horse shoes with the initials of the bride and groom and date of marriage in raised letters. These were given as souvenirs. On the walls hung horseshoes made of daisies.

Mrs. Mae Hart, Ina Cox, Minnie Haynes, Nola Blackmer and Floy Cresap waited on the tables,and over the bride's head was suspended a large doll, representing an angel. In addition to the magnificent display inside the home, the grounds outside were lit up with Japanese lanterns of different different designs.

Over 100 presents were bestowed on the young couple, many of which came from friends not invited to be guests, all exceedingly valuable and most highly appreciated. Among these presents we name a beautiful cut glass water set and a clock of rare worth given by the remaining eight-of the lucky nine-belonging to the "Old Maids' Party." Mrs. Gertrude Fuller, dressed in corn-colored silk was placed in charge of these gifts, and presided over the room.

A handsome present was given to each of her attendance by the bride; and the groom gave his ushers and his best man a solid gold stick pin, the design being a wish-bone with a cats-eye setting.

Source: Entler Scrapbook Collection, vol 4, Iowa Historical Library, Iowa City, IA