Womanless Wedding Held

One of the largest audiences ever gathered together in Cliffside saw a most successful performance of the “Womanless Wedding,” given at Cliffside last Saturday night under the auspices of the Parent-Teachers’ Association. The large auditorium of the new school building was packed to overflowing, and some were turned away. It is estimated that more than 1,000 people saw the “Wedding,” and the proceeds were $205. This amount will go a long way towards filling the needs of the school.

The doors were opened at 6:20 o’clock and by eight, the hour of the “Wedding,” all available standing room was taken.

Promptly at eight o’clock the “wedding party” began to assemble on the stage.

“Following these was the mother, Marcus Martin, weeping as if “her” heart would break. “She” was accompanied by “her” twins, George Thompson and Berry Bland, who were rolled in in a wheelbarrow…”

First came the distinguished guest, Mr. G. K. Moore. Following him down the aisle were the aunt, Mr. R. B. Watkins, and “her” eight children—Willie Hoy, Arthur Carpenter, Charlie Carpenter, Hugh Nanney, Roy Freeman, Hoover Grant, Woodrow Grant, Vernon Wall. Then came the aged grandparents, Mr. T. D. Rudisill, grandfather, and Rev. J. C. Keever, grandmother. Following these was the mother, Marcus Martin, weeping as if “her” heart would break. “She” was accompanied by “her” twins, George Thompson and Berry Bland, who were rolled in in a wheelbarrow, in [the] charge of negro mammies, Broadus Wilson and R. B. McBrayer.

The musicians, D. C. Cole, pianist; B. E. Roach, saxophone soloist; and Hollis M. Owens, soloist, were then ushered on the stage.

Mr. Owens then sang “All the World Will Be Jealous of Me” and “I Love You Truly,” after which Mr. Roach played a saxophone solo “Believe Me If All Those Endearing Young Charms.”

Then to the strains of the “Wedding March,” the bridal party began to assemble. First came the little ribbon girls, Messrs. Charles H. Swofford, D. S. B. Bridges, J. B. Freeman and J. L. Cooper. They formed an aisle on either side for the rest of the party to march through.

Following these came the bride’s maids and the groom’s men in alternate pairs. The bride’s maids were Messrs. Charles H. Haynes, Charles C. Erwin, Lloyd Williamson, G. A. Hines, Bate Wilson, C. D. Hughes, C. C. Tate, T. B. Bland, Martin Mauney, Aubrey Humphries, G. C. Shuford and Claude Grose. The groom’s men were Messrs. Charles F. Moore, W. W. Nanney, P. C. Hawkins, R. V. Bland, Cornelius Martin, C. B. Martin, J. P. Carpenter, W. F. Blanton, Palmer Harrill, R. E. Hollifield, A. R. Wall and Sam Hughes. Following these came the little ring bearer, John Robinson, and the officiating minister, G. K. Moore, Jr.

Then came the groom, Mr. G. C. Haynes, accompanied by his best man, Mr. R. C. Henkler; the dame of honor, Mr. Z. O. Jenkins; matron of honor, Mr. B. P. Caldwell; and maid of honor, Mr. B. D. Wilson.

Finally the blushing bride, Mr. Maurice Hendrick, on the arm of “her” father, Dr. T. L. White, preceded by the little flower girls, Messrs. J. H. Hill and O. L. Womick, who strewed flowers in the pathway of the bride.

The lengthy and binding ceremony proceeded slowly due to objections from the distinguished guest, Mr. G. K. Moore, Sr. and one of the negro mammies, Broadus Wilson, but finally the two young lives were made one, and the wedding party retired from the stage.

Particular mention should be made of the gorgeous costumes worn by the “ladies” of the party and to their magnificent bouquets and their graceful carriage. Also the men of the party were attired in conventional evening attire.

The wedding was under the direction of the Ways and Means Committee of the Parent-Teachers’ Association, which consists of Mesdames B. P. Caldwell, W. H. Haynes, B. D. Wilson, J. S. Rudisill, G. C. Shuford, Misses Marjorie Hord, Evver Bame, Edna Dickson and Mr. Clyde A. Erwin.

To the committee were added Miss Evelyn Pusey and Mrs. M. Hendrick. The wonderful team work and cooperation shown by everyone connected with the “wedding” was remarkable and it was due to this that the even was so successful.

Reprinted with permission from The Daily Courier. Copyright owned by The Daily Courier.