The Independent Patriot
Lamoni, Iowa
August 4, 1897

MARRIED.

SMITH-COBB At the residence of the bride's mother, on the evening of Tuesday, August 3, 1897, Pres. Joseph SMITH officiating, Mr. Fred M. SMITH, son of Pres. Joseph SMITH, to Miss Ruth L. COBB, daughter of Mrs. Alice E. COBB, all of Lamoni.

None but immediate relatives were present. Arrangements had been made to completely surprise all the guests, who had simply understood that they were to partake of ice cream. When all was ready, Pres. SMITH arose and stated that he had been in Lamoni a number of years and had always endeavored to be a good citizen. That he had been engaged here and elsewhere for a number of years in giving his daughters away, until he had but one left, and he thought it nothing more right that the tide should turn, and he should begin getting some daughters in return. With this introduction he turned to the marriage ceremony, which was observed in the usual form.

Nearly all the guests were completely surprised.

The groom is the oldest son of Pres. SMITH, and the bride is a daughter of Mrs. Alice E. COBB, and has charge of the elocutionary department in Graceland college.

Copied by Stacey McDowell Dietiker
July 17, 2003