27 August 1879, Fredericksburg Newspaper, pg 3, column 3:

A Rustic Elopement

A Novel Marriage Scene Enacted this Morning

A youthful and decidedly rustic looking couple registered at the American House last evening as John Lowe, Prince William county, Virginia and Ella Tolson, Stafford county, Virginia. The youth, who was scarcely over eighteen years of age, demanded that separate rooms be given them, as a single apartment could not be shared between them until after further arrangements. They were nicely cared for, and it was not long before it leaked out that it was an elopement case, and the intention of the pair was to effect an early marriage. The lady, who was a year or two older than her companion, appeared to be more thorough in her knowledge of business matters, and it was not long before an arrangement for the wedding was effected. Mr. P. J. Duffy, one of the proprietors, secured the license and it was all arranged that the marriage should take place this morning.

A wedding scene of rather a novel character, therefore, took place this morning about 10 o’clock. The groom to be, a tall and very awkward youth, was beardless, and had long hair that hung in curls upon his neck. He wore a dark grayish suit, with paper colar and black neck tie. A wide slonch hat adorned his head, and a red feather stuck in the band bespoke a recent raid upon some rural rooster’s tail. The young man was very nervous, and wandered about the hotel as though much worried before the ceremony, and his bride to be, who had been taken in charge by the ladies of the house, gave signs also of embarrassment. Mr. C. W. Leannarda, Duffy’s partner, was very attentive to the couple and presented to each bouquets of flowers, that adorning the groom’s coat being strikingly elaborate. He gave them many little hints as to how they should act at the ceremony and was so obliging that the bride decided that he should act as best man and give her away. Mr. Duffy was appointed master of ceremonies, and representatives of the Critic and Sunday Herald were bridesmaids, or rather acted as such. The officiating minister was Rev. Mr. Bittinger.

THE CEREMONY

About 11 o’clock a number of well-known business men, several ladies and other guests of the house, with the minister, assembled in the parlor. Soon the bride, escorted by Mr. Leannarda, followed by the groom and Mr. Duffy, entered. The lady wore a dark blue serge dress, with ball fringe and bright buttons. White ruching adorned her wrists and neck, and her hands were encased in brown kid gloves. The ceremony was simple and pretty, and Mr. Leannarda led off by kissing the bride. Others tendered congratulations, and then the groom gave the bride a kiss, which she wiped from her mouth with the back of her hand. A nice little wedding breakfast followed, of which all present at the wedding partook, and during which congratulatory addresses were made by Judge Cox, Mr. Whitney and The Critic. Judge Cox characterized it as the happiest event of his life, and give the couple some fatherly advice. He said he loved the sons and daughters of Virginia, particularly the daughters, and would have said more but the groom gave him a look that made him sit down quickly. He wished the couple all manner of good luck, and the remarks of The Critic were of a like kind. After the breakfast the guests departed leaving the couple to prepare for their trip home this afternoon. They said that the groom’s folks knew all about it but it was a secret from the parents of the bride. The groom resides, he said, at Potomac City, "where folks grow tall," and the lady sixteen miles from there. The whole affair was very neatly conducted and was very much enjoyed by those who attended. Wash. Critic, 23d.

This truly rustic couple disembarked from the steamer Mattano, at Potomac City, Sunday. Instead of joyousness illuminating their countenances they looked as if they were on their way to receive a castigation from their papas. The weather might have had something to do with their solemn appearance, as it was showering, and they had to plod through the mud for several squares before they reached the "Fick House," where they were cordially received by Mr. Fick, the polite proprietor, and entertained in a manner peculiar to the customs of this popular house. They spent the day and night here, and were the recipients of many courtesies by the young men of the city; so marked was the attention paid them that they exhibited their surprise by many ejaculations characteristic of rustic elopers. They left early Monday morning on Shank’s mare, for their forest home, which is about fourteen miles from Potomac City."

Contributed by Donna Blaney Tolson