Waseca County, Minnesota - Chapter 16, 1905

The Next Evening

Perhaps it is just as well to start the record of the new year, 1856, with the story of the first wedding among white people in the county. It was appointed for New Year Eve.

Mr. Ballard, of Mankato, and Miss Louise Gregory, whose father resided near what has since been known as St. Mary, had made a contract, through love and affection, to be married on New Year's Eve. The friends had been invited from far and near. John Jenkins, Esq., the only justice of the peace in the precinct, was invited to perform the marriage ceremony.

The 'squire, in order to go ship-shape, secured the services of Mr. Hugh McDougall, with his horse and new pung to take him to the place appointed for performing the important ceremony. About sundown, the 'squire and his companion left the Jenkins cabin and started for the residence of Mr. Gregory, some six or seven miles distant. The weather was intensely cold, the snow deep, and, in many places, badly drifted.

The bride and bridegroom were not only ready, but anxious; the bridesmaid and groomsman patiently awaited the arrival of the 'squire ; the parents conned over the responsibilities of mai-- ried life; the evening wore away, and the 'squire came not. The younger members of the company peeped out through the frost-covered windows, the young men went out at the door and gazed in vain for the coming of the desired functionary of the law ; the night wore wearily on, and yet he came not. All night

Messrs. Jenkins and ^McDougall, after leaving the Jenkins cabin, got along very well until darkness set in. Then they_ lost their course and wandered about on the cold, bleak prairie during the whole night, vainly endeavoring to lincl ilr. Gregory's place. About four o'clock the next morning they returned to the cabin, whence they had started the evening before. The writer, who had fortunately stayed at home, served up a meal of hot buckwheat cakes, fried pork, gravy and coffee to the chilled and unfortunate night wanderers. After breakfast they again started for the place appointed for the celebration of the marriage. When they reached ]\lr. Gregory's place, about 11 o'clock a. m., it was found that the young men of the company had sallied forth to search for the missing 'squire, and the ceremony must be deferred until their return.

About dark, those who had been out to look for the 'squire returned on his trail, having followed it from his cabin. It was necessary to have supper before proceeding to tie the knot, and many were the jokes and laughs about the first marriage ceremony to be performed by our worthy bachelor justice of the peace. A considerable part of the pioneer settlers gathered in during the evening to witness the ceremony which had well nigh caused the freezing of Uncle John, as the 'squire was familiarly called.

After all had partaken of a substantial supper, the tables had been cleared off, and the "slab chairs" had been properly arranged, the 'squire stated that he was ready to proceed. The ceremony was decidedly* short and to the purpose. It was even briefer than the shorter form in Booth's ^Manual. As near as memory serves me, it was as follows: "The parties will join hands. ]Mr. Ballard, do you take Miss Gregory tu be your wife ?" (Answer) "Yes, sir." ":Miss Gretiory, do you take ilr. Ballard as your husband?" (Answer - in a whisper) "Yes, sir." "All right," said Uncle John, "then you're man and wife."

After this short, but characteristic ceremony, the company seemed to l)e relieved of much former constraint, and the night passed in song, "going to Rome," through the "cedar swamp," playing tlie "honest miller," etc.; for none of those living at a