original document was transcribed from a newspaper article, Ft Dodge, Iowa WEDED FIFTY YEARS - September 9, 1900 Mr. and Mrs. James Lynch celebrate their Golden Wedding. Four Generations present at the gather1ng. Over fifty Grand Children represented from all points of the Globe. The aged couple were recipients of many costly and beautiful gifts. The fiftieth wedding anniversary of Mr. and Hrs. James Lynch was celebrated Sunday, and today the merriment was still in force, at the home, 814 Ninth Avenue South. It was a grand gathering and never in the lives of the venerable couple did they seem to so enjoy themselves. The past fifty years seemed to be forgotten and the days of youth recalled. Gathered on all sides were sons and daughters w1th hair as gray as their own, and the realization was forced upon that they had lived a long time. The prattle of the babes, the laughter of youth and the recalling of early incidents by the old ones made a picture worth seeing--four generations mingling together, all in one happy family. A large canvas had been drawn across the yard and the entire place turned into a pavilllon to accommodate the assemblage. Around the platform ln little knots were brothers who had not seen each other for years, sisters who had grown old since they had met each other at home, and cousins forming an entirely new acquaintance. The ma1n attraction was grandma among the children. The mother of the entire gathering was seated on the porch of her home and held an informal-reception the entire day. She was like the old woman of the fable fame--she had so many children that she d1dn't know what to do with them, but she saw to that they all had a good time and would long remember the visit to Grandma Lynch. The father of the occasion, with his 81 years, was as young as any man in the crowd, and he took pr1de in telling that he had never had a sick day and that the man was as young as he used to be. The Fin de Sicle orchestra furnished music ln the afternoon, and many of the guests were given an opportunity to prove that they could dance as easily as they did when in youth. Fun was a mild expression; mirth was not the word, for lt seemed the occasion was such that 1t eclipsed all other manner of sport. Old age was rejuvenated, and the youth of fifties frolicked with those of the eighties alike. In the evening, Wright's Harp orchestra furnished the best of music and the day was one to be remembered. One of the happy occasions of the afternoon was the presentation to the aged bride and groom of two leather chairs of a most rich-expensive kind by the guests (grandchildren) The chairs were tendered in behalf of the guests by John F. Dalton of Manson. He made a most happy talk and demonstrated that he 1s somewhat of an orator. The old couple seated in the large chairs looked over the company gathered and as the speakers words reached their ears tears of gratitude glistened in their eyes and rolled down the cheeks that told the tale of self sacri- fice for all those present. It would have been 1mposs1ble for either to have said anything, too full of emotion and happiness were they, and James Salisbury of Forestbury, S. D. thanked all in behalf of the recipients.