1917: weddings, war and an epidemic

1917 was no year to write home about for most. The Spanish Flu epidemic was knocking at the door and WWI loomed but four couples in the McCook area celebrated milestones that not many achieved back in those days. All of these came from 1917 issues of the McCook Tribune and clippings are available at the SWNGS library or you can read them online at www.swngs.org.

“Fifty years of wedded life was celebrated by Mr. and Mrs. M. J. Clark, Wednesday of this week (March 14,1917). Wednesday was a memorable day in the life calendar of Mr. and Mrs. M.J. Clark, in the celebration of their golden wedding anniversary-a half century of happy wedded life. From 2-9 o’clock p.m., about 80 relatives and friends participated in a reception at the Clark home, 405 East B street. Grandpa Clark was feeling rather better than usual, and the occasion was thus made the more pleasurable to all. Refreshments were served at a large table during the reception, yellow carnations being the table decoration, and yellow the cake and ice cream color. Mrs. Gray, Mrs. Potter, and Mrs. Dwyer assisted in the serving of refreshments to the numerous guests. A purse of $50.00 in gold was a special token of friends to the esteemed couple.” Continuing: “They were married in Bremer county, Iowa, March 14, 1867. They came to McCook on the 25th day of March 1891. Mr. Clark was engaged in the livery business here until his retirement from business several years since. Two children, Mrs. B.F. Bowen and Abner Clark were born to them.” ($50.00 in gold bought in 1917 would be worth about $1200.00 today.)

This article was first printed in the Marion Enterprise, July 16,1971: “The fiftieth anniversary of the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Ellis was appropriately celebrated at their commodious farm house in Gerver precinct on Wednesday afternoon, June 27, 1917. About 40 relatives and friends were present to help this hale and hearty old couple commemorate this happy occasion which so few “contracting parties” ever live to enjoy. The bride and groom were remarried by the same party who officiated at their silver wedding 25 years ago, namely J. E. Dodge, of Marion. (By what authority, Joe?) The supper was a bounteous one with all kinds of dainty eatables, including the big golden cake and one especially for the bride.” Continuing: “Uncle Sam served over two years in the civil war and has lived the life of a frontiersman in Red Willow county, which we know is no soft snap, yet he is still in the harness and is using the sweat pads far in excess of the breeching. He put in 140 acres of wheat last fall and 54 acres of corn this spring. Has cared for the corn crop single handed and helped his son, Alex, tend his crop. Now where can you ever find another man like Uncle Sam Ellis?”

“The 50th wedding anniversary of Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Premer of north of Bartley was celebrated at their home, October 5, 1917. Children, grandchildren, great-grand-children, and other relatives to the number of about 50 anticipated in the notable occasion bringing congratulations and gifts to this worthy couple in observance of their half century of happy wedding life. A sumptuous dinner was an item worthy of mention in this connection, and music, conversation and social intercourse made the event complete. A group photo of members of the company will be a memento of the day. Mr. and Mrs. Premer came to Red Willow county from Portland, Indiana, in the month of March 1883, locating on the homestead near Bartley where they still reside.” (Monday October 15, 1917)

“Seventy-five years wedding and still attached to one another as much as in their younger days, Mr. and Mrs. William Weygint, 97 and 95 years of age, respectively, were yesterday celebrating their diamond wedding anniversary with friends and relatives at the home of their daughter, Mrs. I.J. Starbuck, 224 East Eighth Street. Mr. and Mrs. William Weygint were born in New York state and married there. The bridegroom was 22 years of age and the bride 20 when they went to the altar. When the Civil war came on Mr. Weygint and his eldest son joined the American army and went to the front. The ladies of the Reynolds circle and the Grand Army last night assisted in the celebration at the Starbuck home.”

SWNGS website has postings of many early weddings, obituaries and anniversaries. If you pull up the 1917 Tribune you will also find a listing of men being called up for the National guard duty and where they went to train. Join us at our library, 322 Norris Ave., Rooms 2-7, between 1-4 PM on Tuesdays and Thursdays for help with your research.