The Wedding That Lit Up Snohomish: A Steamer’s Arrival and a Night of Revelry
When the steamer Millie docked with its popular proprietor Benj. Smith Earp and his new bride, the town turned out in force for one of the most brilliant social events ever seen in Snohomish.
The story, cleaned up
A cleaned-up reading of the newspaper page: spelling and layout repaired, one story lifted off a crowded page. It follows the original closely but it is not a transcription. The original page is below; read it if a detail matters.
WASHINGTON RELIGION.—On last Wednesday evening, the steamer Millie arrived decorated with a line display of hunting [flowers]. It was soon found that one of its popular proprietors, Benj. Smith Earp, with his fair bride were aboard. At an early hour of the evening the numerous friends of the bridal party assembled in the hall of the Riverside Hotel, where, to the excellent music furnished by Mrs. Fannie Low and Frank Mathews, dancing was kept up to a late hour. The table was gotten up in Shone's best style, which says enough for that part of the entertainment. The assemblage was one of the largest and most brilliant ever seen in Snohomish, and the occasion will be remembered with pleasure by all.
In an era before modern transportation, a wedding wasn't just a local affair but a regional event, drawing guests from across the sound. The 'Riverside Hotel' served as the community's primary social hub, much like today's banquet halls or event centers, where the arrival of a steamer was news enough to warrant a town-wide celebration.
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