1908: Clarkson 40th Wedding Anniversary
In September of 1908, most of the Clarkson family gathered in Fort Smith, Arkansas for a family reunion honoring
the fortieth wedding anniversary of Richard Albert Clarkson and Elizabeth Jane Robinson, a remembrance of the marriage
that took place on the 3rd of September 1868 in Washington county Missouri. A “now treasured” family photograph was
taken on that occasion. This lovely recounting of the event was found, as a newspaper clipping, in the Clarkson family
Bible. The date “Sept 3rd 1908” was handprinted on the clipping:
Mr and Mrs RA Clarkson were given a most pleasant surprise on Wednesday, the occasion being a surprise family reunion
in celebration of their 40th anniversary. Early in the morning, unconscious of what the day would bring forth, Mrs
Clarkson accompanied by her two grandchildren, Miss Elizabeth and Henryetta Boyd, of Oklahoma City, who have been visiting
at the Clarkson home for a number of weeks, and Miss Etta Clarkson, went to Mt Vista to spend the day. During their
absence, Mrs Walter Boyd, Mrs WH Vick, Edwin Clarkson and little son, of Oklahoma City, arrived as a surprise to celebrate
the anniversary of the marriage of their parents. Mr Clarkson was soon let into the secret and upon the arrival of Mrs
Clarkson and daughter at Electric park, returning from their day’s outing, they were most happily greeted by the rest of
the family. To complete the pleasant surprise a most sumptuous dinner had been prepared by the visiting members, and amid
many congratulations and good wishes the day passed, making it one of great pleasure and thorough enjoyment.
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