Rensselaer Republican, Volume 14, Number 10, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 24 November 1881 — A Wedding in Wyoming. [ARTICLE]

A Wedding in Wyoming.

Oil City Derrick. Camping near the town, we secured our stock and then went in. Entering the leading store, I introduced myself to Mr. Stiles, one of the proprietors and tile postmaster. • It is now 12:30, and at 3 there’s to be a wedding down the street at Jonas Burton’s. Old Jonas is a rough old c ;on that we elected justice of the peace abouta month ago, and, as this will be his first attempt at marriage, I think we will see some fun. Come and go down with me.”

We went to the old ’Squire’s cabin. We found him pouring over a large of the statutes of .Wyoming, sweating like a horse and looking terribly anxious. After greeting ,us he said: • . :

“Stiles, the durned galoots thetgot up these yer laws hadn’t gumption enough to last ’em over night. I’ve run through the blamed book a half a dozen times, and can’t find a dod blasted word about metrimony, or how the hitehin’ process is proceeded with. J’ve just got ter put the clamps on this couple hit or miss, an’ es I don’t yoke ’em up legal I can’t help it.” “Oh,” said Stiles, “just do tbe best you can. Any kind of ceremony will do in this country, for people’ll never question the legality of the thing. I’ll poet you as well as I can.” Stiles then explained to him about how be should proceed, and the old man finally thought he could worry Mirnwfr *"

the couple appeared, followed by a crowd of the citizens of the camp. The candidates stood up before the ’squire, who began: “Feller citizens, this ’yar man an’ this ’yar woman have appeared before the coart to be hitched in the legal bands of wedlock. If any galoot in the mob knows of anything that mout block the game es tuk to a higher court, let him now toot his bazoo or. else keep his jaw to himself now apd forevermore. All in favor ’o me preceediu’ as authorized by the law, say‘L’ ” Everybody said “I.” “Contrary ‘no.’ ” Nobody said “no.” •‘The motion’s carried unanimously, an’ the court rules tbat thar hain’t nutbin’ to prevent the tryin’ of the case. Grip yer fins.” The candidates joined bands. “Amos Peabody, do you solemnly swa’ar that ye’ll freeze to ’Mandy furever an’ ever? Tbet you’ll love ’er, an’ pervide fur ’er, an’ treat ’er equar an’ white, accordin’ to the rules an’ regulations sot down to govern sich cases in the laws o’ the United States, so help yer God?” “Yaas, sir; I do, sir.” "That fixes your end o’ the bargain. ‘Mandy Thomas, do you solemnly swa’ar thet you’ll bang on to Amos for all cornin’ time; that you’ll nuss h«m in sickness an’ be squar’ to him in wellness: that ye’ll always be to him a good, true, honest, up-an’-up wife under the penalties prescribed by the laws sot the punishment of sich offenses; do you swa’ar this, so help yer God?” “I swa’ar I will.”

“Then by the power in me vested as justice o’ the peace, in an’ fur this precinct, I pronrunce you, Amos Peabody, husband, an’ you, ’Mandy Thomas, wife, and legalize ye to remain as sich now an’ forevermore, an’ ye’ll stand committed till the fees An’ costs in the case be paid in full, an’ may God have mercy on your soul an’ bless this union with the heftiest blessin’s.” The fees and costs were adjusted, and, after receiving the congratulations of the assembly, the newly-made husband and wife departed for their cabin up the creek.