Kate’s notes: The J. K. P. Gilliland of this marriage announcement was James K. Polk Gilliland from Overton County, Tennessee. An obituary for his wife Margaret (Officer) has been added to the Gilliland Trails obituary collection. At the time of her death in 1912, Margaret and James were living at Mangum, Oklahoma; in fact, Margaret passed away at the Mangum home of her daughter, Emma (Gilliland) Ritter, who is the subject of this marriage article.

The Hereford Brand
Hereford, Texas
29 December, 1905

ANOTHER WEDDING
____________

Mr. and Mrs. J. K. P. Gilliland of
This City Give Their Daughter
In Marriage.

“Love rules the court, the camp,
      The grove,
And men below and saints above.”
   On life’s voyage!
   A life-bark delicately constructed yet well equipped, set sail on the great “ocean of life.”
   When it loosened from its moorings and put out to sea, how smoothly it glided along!
   The rippling waves on whose bosom it rested, whispered in softest tones, and the gentle breezes wafted it onward on its course.
   Day after day as it launched out into the mighty deep, the sky overhead was unclouded, and the waters placid.
   This little bark was not alone. Other life-craft were making the voyage.
   Some with rent and torn sails, having come a long distance, and over a stormy sea.
   When well on the way, with its sails all spread, a larger and stronger vessel hove in sight.
   As it drew nearer, it hailed the frail little bark – calling to its occupant to come over to the stronger boat for a storm was coming and that it could not baffle the turbulent waves alone.
   No more this little craft is on the “sea of life” alone, but with the strong and mighty vessel as its consort, they will reach the haven of rest on the Eternal shore.
   Just when the Christmas Bells began to ring, telling of the story of the shepherds on the Judean Hills as they watched their flocks by night – how an angel told them of the birth of the Christ-child in the manger in Bethlehem, and how in a short time an heavenly choir joined this angel and sang, “Glory to Go in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men,” did the wedding bells of Hereford again peal forth.
   For hours the snow had fallen; but now rested on the bosom of “Mother Earth” as pure and spotless as was the one who was so soon to give her life into the keeping of another.
   They arrayed her in her wedding robes of white, and just as the clock told the hour of eight on Friday evening, December 22, the soft, sweet strains of Mendelsshon’s wedding march in the home of Mr. and Mrs. J. K. P. Gilliland of east Hereford announced the wedding party.
   Soon the attendants, Mr. Andrew M. Jones and Miss Millicent Griffith marched into the parlor, and immediately following, came the bride and groom who took their places under a canopy of lovers’ knots of white ribbon and foliage.
   Here in the presence of the loved ones of the home and a number of the intimate friends of the bride, Rev. Thos. S. Barcus of the Methodist church, in a most beautiful and impressive manner, performed the marriage rites that joined the hearts and lives of Henry Francis Ritter and Mary Emma Gilliland for life.
   While these young people were plighting their vows of eternal love and constancy, Miss Chapman of the Panhandle Christian college played “Annie Laurie” in the softest tones which added sacredness to the scene.
   After many happy wishes for the bride, and congratulations for the groom, all entered into social conversation and joyous laughter for a time when cream and cake was served.
   The cutting of the bride’s cake was the occasion of a great deal of merriment as each one was trying to find the ring and no one wanted the thimble. After a long search Miss Parmer got the thimble and Mr. A. M. Jones the ring.
   Before the guests departed and as a most befitting close for this solemn yet joyous occasion, the minister read from the Holy Book and all knelt around the family alter[sic] while a prayer went up to the Father for his holy benediction of this union of lives.
   The bride was lovely in a pearl white silk, garnished with chiffon and lace.
   Miss Griffith wore a china silk of “baby” blue with trimmings of ribbon.
   The groom and attendant, Mr. Jones, wore the conventional suit of black.
   Miss Mary Emma Gilliland who has been one of us for the past three years spent her childhood days at the foot of the Cumberland Mountains in Middle Tennessee. She is the youngest child and only daughter of Mr. and Mrs. J. K. P. Gilliland of our city. Few possess a more lovable character than does Miss Mary Emma Gilliland Ritter. Always ready to help every one, and was never known to say a harsh word of any one.
   “None knew her but to love her,
   None named her but to praise.”
   Mr. Ritter comes to us as a stranger, but he carries in his face the stamp of a true gentleman.
   He travels for the shoe house of Arnold, Henegar, Doyle & Co. of Knoxville, Tenn.
   Mr. and Mrs. Ritter will leave for Norton, Virginia, about January 1, where they will be “at home” to their friends for the present.
   They received many beautiful and costly presents from both home and abroad.

-transcription by Kate Maynard, 2012