Subject: Lincoln Parish, Ruston, LA Contributor: Tommy Goodwin ( Unquint@aol.com ). ********************************************** Copyright. All rights reserved. http://usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://usgwarchives.net/la/lafiles.htm ********************************************** ************************************************ MCKNIGHT - GOODWIN by: Irene B. Gahagan Goodwin, aka Pattie McGinnis There's nothing half so sweet in this life "As Love's young dream". Married, at the residence of the bride's mother, Mrs. Irene Gahagan Goodwin, on North Trenton Street, Ruston, LA, Sunday, December 31, 1905, at 7:30 o'clock in the evening, Mr. Joseph Baker McKnight, of Colfax, La., and Miss Bertie Estelle Goodwin of Ruston, La. Rev. C.H. Carson, a well known and well thought of Methodist divine, officiated at the banns, uniting the two by language fittingly adapted to the church ceremony. The ring service was used, which rendered the rites much more impressive and pretty in its significance. Miss Goodwin was becomingly but modestly attired in a handsome imported grey silk gown, noticeably enhanced by garnitures of rare lace, velvet and buttons. The groom was clothed in the conventional raven black, full dress suit, (having previously attended church nuptials), which of course added very materially to his placid bearing, giving him the dignified mien of a perfectly contented Benedict as he was initiated into the order of wedlock. In fact, in representation he looked quite the Adonis-like, happy victim of Cupid's dart. The bride's going-away costume was a pronounced dark shade of russet brown, cloth, tailor made. A picture hat, and gloves to match, were accompanying accessories to this effective toilette. Mr. And Mrs. McKnight were the recipients of a great number of gifts, useful and ornamental. The collection consisted of checks, valuable silverware, cut glass, bric-a-brac, furniture, etc. Only near relatives, with the exception of three school mates, were in attendance at the court of Hymen's altar, upon the auspicious occasion of the consummation of the marriage tie. Simply and sweetly was the touching scene enacted quietly in the parlor of the home. Surrounded by the three-fold influences of the holy Sabbath, an old year's tottering footsteps on the very verge of eternity, and the dawn of a prosperous, promising New Year, we fondly hope these may be an illustration of a peaceful life for the twain, who are just at the hidden, uncertain brink of a future to them still unwritten, but now resplendent with crystal -hued views. The bride is a young lady of fine traits of character. In her personality there is a vein of winning, which fascinates and catches the love of all who meet her. She is ever gentle, amiable and courteous under all circumstances, yet unassuming to a remarkable degree. She is endowed with an affectionate temperament and an easy, child disposition, and is altogether a typical specimen of our Sunny South style of admirable womanhood of which we exultantly boast. She places the standard of "Right" upon a lofty pedestal, not to be tarnished by evil. Therefore existence to her is seen through truth and honesty, with every dealing raised far above approach. Mrs. McKnight is the only daughter of Mr. and Mrs. J.L. Goodwin (nee Miss Irene Bertie Gahagan). The first named now deceased, resided from his youth up in Jackson and Lincoln parishes. Four years prior to his death February 25, 1905, he resided in Ruston. The mother was reared in Coushatta. Mrs. McKnight is a direct descendant of a highly esteemed son of the Emerald Isle - her great grand father, Gahagan, of Dublin, while her mother's mother boasts of belonging to the F.F.V.'s. Her father's people came from Alabama, where they ranked with the best citizens of the State. They, too, by information from the "History of the Goodwins", are of blue blood. Mesdames Judge J.C. Pugh and M. Ricks and Mr. Orren P. Gahagan, of Shreveport, Dr. W.L. Gahagan, of New York City, and Mrs. Dr. Charles Munde Edwards, of Richmond, Va., are a few among Mrs. McKnight's most immediate relatives. Mr. McKnight, whose family is one of the most prominent and influential on Red river's alluvial soil, at Colfax, is himself a most exemplary young gentlemen. He is of very moral, social and business qualifications. He is interested with his brothers and brother-in-law, Mr. J.H. McNeely, in flourishing mercantile pursuits in Colfax. His ability and experience under such well directed examples of practical work, industry, etc. will no doubt, ere many years, make him a successful man in the world of commerce. May Joy, at whose shrine Mr. and Mrs. McKnight are quaffing the pure nectar of happiness, give to them draughts of felicitous contentment. Across their paths may sunbeams play, with as few clouds of sorrow and adversity to mar their happiness as God finds proper to send. On January 2d, Mr. McKnight and lady left Ruston for Shreveport where they made a short stopover with Judge and Mrs. J.C. Pugh, in their beautiful home on Jordan street. From Shreveport they continued their journey, via Coushatta, to Colfax, at which thriving little town they are residing. At present the couple is being showered with heartfelt congratulations and good wishes in the midst of relatives and friends, in whose centre they are both objects of esteem. The bride's mother, Mrs. Irene B. Gahagan Goodwin, entertained Mr. McKnight, her prospective son-in-law, at dinner, Sunday, December 31, 1905. It is an odd coincidence that this date is the anniversary of the one on which Mr. J.L. Goodwin addressed Miss Irene B. Gahagan, and the daughter's nuptial evening is the anniversary of the one on which her mother's hand was requested in marriage. Mr. McKnight was a guest of Sheriff L.C. Gahagan and wife, in their well equipped home, the evening of the McKnight-Goodwin Hymeneal rites. Pattie McGinnis Tommy Goodwin (grandson) 5313 S Landmark Circle Little Rock, Ark 72206 Unquint@aol.com