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125 Years Ago, 1901, transcribed as originally published in the Youngstown Vindicator
"Romantic wedding in this city of a prominent Pittsburg couple. Started as a joke and ended in a call on the parson - the couple now at home receiving congratulations."
"Notice of the romantic marriage here of Robert W. Pinder and Miss Jessie Hallett was published in The Vindicator last Monday. The Pittsburg Times, today, published the following article regarding the couple:
"Rumor has it that at least 18 couples from Pittsburg and vicinity were married while attending the excursion of the Junior Order United American Mechanics at Idora Park, Youngstown, on Saturday, but the names of the contracting parties are for the present, at least, being kept secret….
"One of the most romantic marriages of the number was that of Robert W. Pinder, of Forty-Fifth Street, employed in the Allegheny County road engineer's office, and Miss Jessie N. Hallett, of the East End, who until Saturday was employed as a saleswoman in a downtown dry goods store. J. R. Matthews, of the Allegheny County commissioners' office, is in a measure responsible for this marriage. He and Mr. Pinder are members of the same lodge, and they incidentally met in Youngstown. While the two men adjourned for refreshments Mrs. Matthews and Miss Hallett spent a few minutes in the parlor of the Tod House. They met about 11 a. m. It was the first time Miss Hallett met Mr. and Mrs. Matthews, and the women had a chance to become acquainted.
"Then came luncheon and a trip to the park. It was on the way out that somebody mentioned that a number of young people intended getting married, and the young folks began discussing the fact that Mr. and Mrs. Matthews had been married for eight years and were just as happy as single folks. Pinder said matrimony was all right when a fellow knew he was getting the right kind of wife. Incidentally he mentioned to Mr. and Mrs. Matthews that he had the ideal girl in Miss Hallett; that he had been keeping company with her for two years and that though he expected her to accompany him to the altar someday he was not quite ready and had not broached the subject to her. Like most married folks in cases of this kind Mr. Matthews conveyed what information he received to Mrs. Matthews and while she rallied the girl Mr. Matthews rallied Pinder, and finally Mr. Matthews dared Pinder to get married.
"Blushes and protestations followed, but Miss Hallett was plied with persuasive arguments, and when Mr. Pinder convinced her that he was in earnest in his declaration that there is no time like the present, she yielded her consent. Then the four went to the home of William Shipp on Arlington Avenue, Youngstown. Mr. Shipp is an intimate friend of Mr. Matthews, and when he was informed of the project on moot, lent his assistance gladly. The Shipp residence was placed at the disposal of the bridal party, and Rev. Mr. Stocking, pastor of the Belmont Avenue Methodist Church, was sent for.
"The ceremony was performed in due time, and the groom and Mr. Matthews started out to buy wedding presents. Mr. Pinder felt liberal, and Mr. Matthews though it incumbent on him to do something handsome for the young couple since he was in a measure responsible for their romantic marriage. Under the stimulus of these conditions the two forgot to keep account of their expenditures, and before the day was ended found it necessary to telegraph to Pittsburg for more funds. They remained in Youngstown until Sunday night.'"
-- Compiled by Dante Bernard, museum educator at the Mahoning Valley Historical Society.