This article was printed under the "Ancestor Searching" column in the Monroe County Sun. (The clipping is not dated, but was likely in the early 1990s.) The special feature is written and contributed by members of the Monroe County Historical Society. An original source is not indicated.
AN ELABORATE WEDDING, Holly Grove, Ark., March 21, 1894 —
Not often have people of our little city witnesses so impressive a marriage ceremony, so happy a culmination of plans well laid and successfully carried out in every detail, as occurred yesterday evening at 8:30 p.m. in the Methodist Church in this city, uniting in marriage Mr. B.Y. Trotter and Miss Bessie Johnson of this place.
Ere the appointed hour had arrived the church was filled with the friends and relatives of the bride and groom. When the noise of carriage wheels on the walk without bespoke their arrival, everyone was on alert to catch a first glimpse of the bridal party. The organ spoke out the rich tones of "Lohengrin" bridal march under the touch of O.F. Jenkins, and the ushers, Messsrs. J.B. Taylor, D.D. Bennett and T.G. Trice, opened the way for the bridal couples who entered on the right and left, followed by the bride, leaning on the arm of the groom, who entered up the middle aisle. The couples were two in number, and arriving at the chancel they crossed and grouped themselves becomingly about the decorations of evergreens, foliage and flowers, which had been tastefully arranged by the bride's host of friends. The bridal pair arrived at the altar and stopped beneath a massive decoration of evergreens draped across the church and looped in coils with colored hydrangeas. From the center was suspended with white ribbon tied in a love knot, a beautiful bunch of parasitic evergreens, and dicentra, symbolic of a bright and happy future. Advancing to the chancel rail, which was harmoniously draped with evergreens, the pastor, Rev. R.G. Brittian, with benevolence and grace, pronounced the words which made the two lives one. The hush which had fallen upon the assembly became deeper as after a brief prayer the familiar words "Whom God hath joined together, let no man put asunder" fell from the minister's lips, and after the benediction the bridal party turned and left the church. A slipper had been suspended from the chandelier filled with rice, and just as the happy couple marched out the slipper fell and showered them with all the good luck one could wish for.
The bridal couples were P.P. Blasgame and Miss Irene Johnson, Dr. R. Henry and Miss Georgie Lambert, all of this city. The handsome groomsmen appeared in conventional evening dress, while the bridesmaids were richly attired in evening gowns. Miss Irene Johnson, sister of the bride, wore a becoming gown of pink silk, trimmed in mint lace, wearing a bunch of bleeding hearts. Miss Georgie Lambert appeared in a most becoming gown of pink silk, wearing Mareschal Neil roses.
The bride was attired in an elegant tan silk gown with white duchess satin and lace trimmings and under her mist-like veil was a vision of beauty and the personification of happiness. Her flowers were orange blossoms.
The groom wore the conventional black.
Upon leaving the church the entire party was driven rapidly to the home of the bride's parents, where the bride and groom received congratulations and the good wishes of numerous friends.
The bride is too well and favorably known to our people to require any including of her many virtues. She numbers her friends not within the limits of the county or state, however for all have recognized in her the true worth of womanhood beaming through a sincere and lovable disposition. She is the daughter of Rev. and Mrs. Joseph Johnson.
Mr. Trotter is prominently connected in the business circles of this place and during his residence here has gained for himself an enviable position in the business world and in the esteem of his fellow citizens.
The many handsome gifts tendered them show but a small part of the esteem in which they are held.
Mr. and Mrs. Trotter will leave Thursday morning for an extended bridal tour in the East, visiting there many relatives. On their return they will occupy their new and beautiful home situated in the surburbs of the city on Royal Street.
We congratulate both Mr. and Mrs. Trotter upon his and her selection of a lifelong companion. May they live forever and their lives be a constant source of happiness each for the other.
"As unto the bow the cord is So unto man is woman; Though she bends him, she obeys him; Though she draws him, yet she follows; Useless each without the other."
