It was an announcement that pleased all Punta Gorda and glorified God and the angels in heaven when, a few weeks since, invitations were issued foretelling the approaching nuptials of Mr. James Francis Corbett and Miss Lena Magdalene Conolly – and announcement that brought joy to the hearts of their hundreds of friends here and elsewhere.

The happy event occurred in the Punta Gorda Methodist church on Tuesday evening, July 7, (1896) at 8 o’clock, and no one present denies that it was the prettiest and most interesting wedding ever consummated in this city.  The church, of itself tidy and imposing, was rendered doubly attractive for the occasion by decorations of moss, palmetto and banana palms and fresh leaves and branches from other tropical plants.  By 7 o’clock the house was crowded and before the close of the hour of the ceremony standing room was not to be found.

Messrs. John Rogers and Nat Conolly, a brother of the bride, were ushers.  Judge W.B. Hardee gave the bride away.  Miss Myrtle Williams was maid of honor, and Miss Louisa Conolly and Miss Annie Swift were bridesmaids.  R.K. Seward acted as best man and T.S. Purse and A.W. Gilchrist as bridesgroomsmen.  Lillie Conolly, the sweet little sister of the bride, was flower girl.  The choir was composed of G.P. Davis, Miss Jessie Rogers and Mrs. F.C. Peters, the latter being organist.

The bridal party arrived at the church in carriages a few minutes before 8 o’clock.  The bride and attendants marched in from the front entrance and the bridegroom and his first attaché from the side, meeting in front of the altar, where the bridal couple stood underneath an arch of lovely flowers.  Rev. M.H. Outland very impressively solemnized the ceremony which made them man and wife, and after offering a beautiful prayer Mr. & Mrs. Corbett, followed by the cortege, walked slowly down the aisle to the strains of the wedding march and, seated in carriages, were driven to the elegant and hospitable home of the bride’s mother, Mrs. C.W. Conolly, on Marian Avenue, where an elaborate reception was tendered.  About forty invited guests were present, and after congratulations were over, all did full justice to a spread the equal of which has never before been prepared in Punta Gorda.

The guests were entertained some time by the musical talent present and in social conversation, spending a most pleasant evening.  Before the hour-hand of the clock pointed to the midnight mark, the guests had all departed, closing the scenes of an event that will be memorable for all time.

Miss Conolly was one of Punta Gorda’s most estimable young ladies.  She is highly accomplished and is endowed with rare personal attractions.  During her seven or eight year’s residence here she has grown to womanhood, and by her lovable disposition has won the warmest esteem and affection of her acquaintances

Mr. Corbett is typical of all the nobler traits of manhood, and is richly deserving of the affections of the companionable young woman he has just wed.  He is a native of Philadelphia, Pa., but has made Punta Gorda his home ever since there was a Punta Gorda.  For several years he was manager of the 30-ton ice plant owned by the E.B. Cornell Company and for a year past has been Punta Gorda’s efficient postmaster, in which capacity he has attained a degree of popularity seldom reached by public officials.  He has been a favorite buy obstinate and selfish possibility in the matrimonial arena for more than a few seasons, but he has doubtless come to the conclusion that after all married life, when it is consistent and sincere, is the chief medium through which eternal contentment and happiness divine is to be obtained.  God grant that fortune may never cease to smile upon him and his charming bride, is the devout prayer of The Herald and every member of the community.

For the present Mr. and Mrs. Corbett will take up their residence at the home of Mrs. Conolly, but a few months later they will be domiciled in a cozy cottage of their own.

From Punta Gorda Herald
R.W. Seward, Editor
(July,1896)

Submitted by:
Mollie Hyde

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