Bible records of Eddie BELL and Lillian MOSS Contributed by Hugh Poland ((HughPoland@aol.com) ********************************************** Copyright. All rights reserved. http://usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://usgwarchives.net/la/lafiles.htm ********************************************** William Edward Bell and Lillian Daisey Moss were married on March 10, 1902. Theirs had been, by all known accounts, a storybook love and romance. Witness the article in the Abbeville paper (and note the spelling of the preacher's name here as opposed to the marriage license): MARRIED- Mr. Edward Bell and Miss Lillian Moss. On Wednesday, March 12th, at 8 o'clock a.m., amidst a gathering of relatives and friends, Rev. J. E. Hixon performed the ceremony that joined the above named parties as man and wife. It was indeed one of the prettiest weddings that has occurred in this section in many a day; the same being celebrated at the residence of the bride's parents, Mr. And Mrs. Henry Moss, near Erath. Miss Lelia Henry played the wedding march, the groom and bride entering the parlor in the meantime, where Rev. Hixon in his usual impressive manner performed the ceremony. Mr. And Mrs. Bell left immediately for Houston, Texas, which place they will make their future home. To the happy young couple THE REPUBLICAN IDEA extends its most sincere congratulations and trusts that their married life will prove to be one of happiness, peace and contentment. A Christmas present of a family Bible speaks of the warm wishes and expectations the family had for this couple: (handwritten in the back blank pages) Presented To Mr. And Mrs. Eddie Bell By Their Beloved Sister Miss Mamie Moss of Erath, La Dec. 25, 1902 May your path be strewed with thousands of sweet flowers Love and happiness be your portion through life A card comes at about their first anniversary. The following is on a cardstock, 5"x 6", written with some sort of purple pencil or pen. It is folded in half to look like a 3"x5" card to be mailed, and is addressed on the outside in a very flowing script to Mrs. E. Bell 87 Gabel St. Houston Texas The inside reads like this: 87 Gabel St March 10-03 Darling Lillian When you are alone and in despair Remember well and bear in mind That you have one that will Share your burden of cares. When all others have forsaken you Just think of your blue Eyed Eddie who loves you ever Yours devotedly forever With loving thoughts Eddie Bell Houston But, alas, no one plans for the twists and turns that life takes. How could Eddie have known that 13 years later he would be burying the love of his life? Lillian died in childbirth, pregnant with their 5th child. My grandmother, Willia Mae, was her firstborn. My father has always supposed that Eddie and Lillian wanted a boy so much, to name after William Edward, that when they had a girl they named her Willia Mae Bell instead of William E. Bell. Among those signing the marriage license were the witnesses C.E. Moss, R. A. Mayer, and A. Belanger. William Edward waited nine months to remarry after Lillian's death. When he did remarry, he married Eva Belanger. I hope to learn someday whether she is related to this A. Belanger, which brings up the possibility that Eddie knew Eva even before Lillian died, or at least knew her family. Eddie and Eva sold Lillian's portion of the Moss farm, gave the inheritance to the 4 Bell kids, and established a general store in Vermilion Parish. (Abbeville I think, I'm not too familiar with the geography) If the building is still standing, it is no longer a store. Hugh Poland **See Marriages for their marriage license.