Marriage Records

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MARRIAGES

MARRIAGE BELLS
The Impressive High Church Wedding Yesterday, of Mr. Frank Bulkley and Miss Lelia Bergstresser

There occurred in St. George's church yesterday the most notable event of the society season, and one of the most brilliant weddings that Leadville has ever witnessed, Hon. Frank Bulkley leading to the altar Miss Lolla Bergstresser, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Reuben Bergstresser, and a lady who has been, throughout her residence in Leadville, one of the queens of Carbonate society.

At ten minutes before 5 o'clock the triumphal strains of the organ, under the skillful hands of Mr. Nash, began to peal forth a jubilant march. Immediately the vestry door opened and the Rev. John Gray, the rector of St. George's, preceded by four acolytes, Masters Frank Follett, Charlie Fearnley, David Hodges and Ruby Bergstresser, entered the chancel. The acolytes were preceded by four little flower girls - Lily Wood, Katie Wood, Ethel Burrell and Dottie Gray. The altar having been robed with the festal white, and brilliant with the mystic seven candles, together with the white robes of the clergy and the beautiful white array of the children, presented a reverent and lovely scene. In a very few moments the church doors entering the broad aisle were opened, and the bridal procession slowly advanced toward the chancel; the ushers, Mr. S. D. Walling, Mr. Harry C. Burnett, Mr. M. H. Slater, Mr. Ellery Stowell, Mr. D. G Miller, and Mr. Frank W. Owers preceding, followed by the bride leaning upon the arm of her father with Nona Wood, one of the dainty while robed lasses, bearing the train, the bridegroom supporting the mother of the bride.

The whole company advanced as far as the chancel step. The rector, descending from the altar steps to meet them, began the reading of the service, proceeding with the same through the betrothal. At this point the marriage ring was placed upon a silver paten and carried to the altar by Master Frank Follett, where it was blessed for the holy purpose of matrimony by the rector, being then returned to the groom, who placed it upon the fourth finder of the bride's left hand. Again the organ pealed forth a joyful burst of melody, and the bridal party advanced to the chancel rail, where the rector pronounced the marriage declaration, adding, as the entire party knelt, the solemn blessing of the undivided trinity, the boys singing the responses. The strains of Mendelssohn's wedding march filled the sacred edifice with grand harmony, the we maids in white, with baskets of flowers on their arms, strewed the pathway of the happy couple with blossoms as they proceeded down the aisle, and so - they were married.

The service was something never before witnessed in Leadville, being conducted in the manner frequently seen in Trinity church, New York, and other large eastern parishes.

The beautiful interior was fittingly decorated, a satin slipper for good luck hanging above the chancel during the ceremony.

It may be safely said that Colorado has never seen a more lovely bride. The toilet, without a description of which the account would be incomplete, was a cream brocade and surrah satin, falling in soft, luxurious folds, and extending, as has been said, to a train, the stain trimmed with the finest of lace flounces. There was an exquisite corsage and a hand bouquet of tea roses, and the bridal veil in al the fascinating beauty that belongs to it.

The groom, in conventional black, appeared to the best possible advantage, looking every inch the manly gentleman.

Succeeding the ceremony an informal reception to which none but the relatives of the contracting parties, the ushers and the flower girls were invited, occurred at the residence of the bride's parents.

The gifts of congratulation were many, and to be noted for their uniform elegance and the rare taste displayed in their selection. From the groom, a wonderfully exquisite diamond lace pin; from the Leadville Athletic association, a very handsome and delicately chased silver service of eleven pieces; from four of the ushers, Mr. M. H. Slater, Mr. F. W. Owers, Mr. Harry C. Burnett and Mr. Stuart D. Walling, a complete dinner set in tastefully decorated china; from MR. D. G. Miller, a silver mounted chased and engraved carving set, in a velvet case; from Mr. Ellery Stowell solid silver and gold lined berry and sugar spoons; from the brother and sister of the groom, a fruit dish in mannered silver, a set of beautifully hand painted fruit plates, and a silver, porcelain lined oyster tureen; from the brother and sister of the bride, pearl and silver nut picks and an exquisite set of pearl handled fruit knives, and from the mother of the bride, a lovely fancy work casket.

Miss Eva Baker presented a hand-embroidered, plush opera case; Judge and Mrs. L. M. Goddard, a set of frosted silver after coffee spoons; Miss A. V. Fletcher, a beautifully bound volume of familiar quotations; Miss Ethel Burrell, an optic jewel case, Mr. and Mrs. Jervis Joslyn, an ebony vase in chased silver; Mr. and Mrs. W. H. Fox, and embroidered crepe shawl; Mr. and Mrs. Clanton, fine table linen and napkins.

From Misses Katie, Nona and Lillian Wood came a dainty pair of bisque figures; from Miss Frueauff, a lovely hand painted banner; from Fred C. Ewing, of Denver, a silver cologne set; from Major and Mrs. J. F. Frueauff, a fruit dish in craquelle ware; from Mr. Harry Fisher, of Denver, a handsome bronze framed mirror; from Mrs McCov and and Mrs. Becker, a rare piece of artistic work, in a hand painted placque, with a hand-painted plush frame.

From Mr. R. M. McDermott, of Denver, the fortunate bride received a beautiful oil painting of Ute Falls; from Miss Rose North, of Columbus, Nebraska, a ground glass claret set; from Miss Florence Lake, brass candelabra; from Mr. and Mrs. Sydney Bonner, a plush, embroidered glove box; from Mrs. C. W. Crews and Miss McMurtrie, a daintily embossed lass and silver fruit dish, from Mrs. P. J. Cunningham, a pair of bisque vases.

There was also an optic water set from Mr. W. L. Thompson; a clock, cathedral gong, in black marble, from Mr. Henry D. Bates; a sugar spoon in solid native silver, from Mr. F. H. Cole; a gold, chased and engraved pie knife, from Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Harsh; a lovely daisy tidy, from Miss Allie Ritter, of Sedalia, Mo.; an exquisite hand-embroidered mirror and easel, from Mrs. J. W. Smith, and by no means least, a silver water set, from Mr. Michael Finnerty.

From Virginia, Illinois came two elegant fruit plates, from Mrs. Dunaway and Mrs. Jones, relatives of the bride.

The church was filled, almost crowded in fact, while telegrams and letters of congratulations and regret at the non-ability of the signers to attend, came from teh following: Mr. and Mrs. J. A. Black, Tucson, Arizona; C. M. and Carrie E. DAvis, Denver; Mrs. D. J. Swinney, Cheyenne; Mr. and Mrs. Jacob Schloss, St. Joseph, Missouri; the officers and directors of the New Pittsburg Mining company, New York; Mr. J. S. Thomson, Lacon, Illinois; Miss Rose North, Columbus, Nebraska; Mr. and Mrs. W. H. Boyd; Dr. Sawyer and family, and Mr. L. L. Johnson, Monroe, Michigan, as well as from a host of others.

Last evening's Rio Grande train carried with it Mr. and Mrs. Bulkley, enroute to Denver, whre they will remain during the session of the legislature, with perhaps occasional visits to the city that has so honored itself in honoring them. They were accompanied to the train by a merry, congratulatory party of friends.

Mr. Bulkley is too well know to require extended mention. His worth and strength of character are as will defined as his popularity; attested by his election to the legislature in the recent contest, when almost his entire ticket was snowed under. He is an old resident of the camp, connected with the Evening Star Mine in its early days and at present resident manager of the New Pittsburg.

Mrs. Bulkley, nee Miss Bergestresser, is known throughout the state as the possessor of a singularly sweet and rarely flexible soprano voice, cultivated by two year's study in Boston conservatories. During the past year she has added greatly to the merit of the choir of St. George's church, and in charity enterprises has always been among the first to respond.

The happy couple, commencing their one life together under such favorable circumstances, THE DEMOCRAT, in behalf of their almost innumerable friends, extend it heartiest congratulations and the wish that they may "grow old together, " finding their pathway through life strewn with as fair and fra grant blossoms as those scattered before them as they left the altar.

Note: From the collection of Kate O'Brien hand written date of January 22, 1885.

CERTIFICATE OF MARRIAGE

JAMES GALLAGHER AND MARY LOFTUS

I J. J. Gibbons a Clergyman residing at Leadville in the County of Lake, in the state of Colorado, do certify that, in accordance with the authority on me conferred by the above license, I did, on the 16 day of April in the year A.D. 1899 at Leadville in the County of Lake, in the State of Colorado, solemnize the rites of matrimony between Mr. James Gallagher and Miss Mary Loftus of Leadville of the County of Lake of the State of Colo. in the presence of Thos. Mason and Anna Mary Ramsey.

WITNESS my hand and seal at the County aforesaid this 16 day of April A.D. 1899.
Signed Rev. J. J. Gibbons

Submitted by: Sharon R. Shaffer

28 March 1902

Wedding Celebration-At the home of Mr. and Mrs. J. L. Wright at 141 E. Eighth Street, the religious ceremony uniting in wedlock their daughter, Miss Mae Wright and Mr. P. Allan Smith, by the Rev. D. L. Fleming in the presence of the immediate relatives and a few intimate friend of the happy couple. At the conclusion of the service the wedding party par-took of a very tasty repast at which the health of the bride and groom were oft toasted. The young couple were the recipients of a large number of beautiful wedding gifts. Mr. and Mrs. Smith left on the midnight train for Pueblo where they will spend a few days and will then return to Leadville for a brief stay prior to leaving for the home of the groom in Wichita.

From the Herald Democrat, Leadville, CO

Mr. J. A. Cunningham requests the pleasure of your company at the wedding reception of his daughter MIRANDA and Mr. FRANK B. COOK on Wednesday evening December, the twenty-fifth from eight until half after ten o'clock. 81 First Street

Note: No year given.
This is from the collection of Kate O'Brien

W. E. Jones
Louise Y. O'Brien

Thomas M. O'Brien requests your presence at the Marriage Ceremony of his daughter LOUISE Friday Evening, December 31, 1880, at 6 o'clock, Presbyterian Church, Leadville, Colorado

At Home after January 4, 1880
110 East Eighth Street