OAKLANDERS WED 65 YEARS
Couple Eloped on Horseback over Ice
Exactly 65 years ago today, James Biggers, then 24, and Miss Lucinda Gregory, 17, eloped from their homes at Glasgow, Ky., and sped through the night on horseback across a frozen river into Tennessee, where they were married.
Today the Biggers, still married and as much in love as ever, make their home here at 2604 Grove Street, where they have lived for the past 27 years. Biggers, a retired farmer, is now 89. His wife is 82.
Mrs. Biggers said she was forced to elope with her fiancé because of the opposition of her father, a Northern veteran of the Civil War, to the proposed marriage.
"He just hated to see any of his children leave home, and he thought that I was too young to be married at that time," Mrs. Biggers explained.
To make the dangerous trip at night over the frozen river, their horses were equipped with ice shoes, designed to bite into the ice. Three friends accompanied them on their flight and witnessed the marriage.
"I wasn't a bit afraid in galloping over the ice," Mrs. Biggers pointed out. "There wasn't a horse in Kentucky I couldn't ride then. But I rode side-saddle—not astride like the girls do now."
The couple was married by a minister at a small country church just over the Tennessee line. They returned to Glasgow later, and Mrs. Biggers' father became reconciled to the marriage.
Biggers was born in Indiana and taken to Kentucky by his family when he was a child. Mrs. Biggers is a native of Glasgow, which is about 100 miles north of Louisville. Both were members of farming families.
Following their marriage, the Biggers farmed in Indiana and Oklahoma. Biggers retired in 1923 and he and his wife moved to Oakland.
The couple's formula for a long and happy marriage is to "work hard, go to bed early and get up early."
The Biggers celebrated their anniversary today with an automobile tour of the Bay area, visiting friends. They were accompanied by one of their daughters, Mrs. Renna Beebe of Oakland.
They have three other children, Dennis, of Boise, Idaho; Leavy, of Medford, Oregon, and Mrs. Juanita Moore, Fairbanks, Alaska, eight grandchildren and ten great grandchildren.
The Oakland Tribune, February 23, 1950, Front Page.
Couple Eloped on Horseback over Ice
Exactly 65 years ago today, James Biggers, then 24, and Miss Lucinda Gregory, 17, eloped from their homes at Glasgow, Ky., and sped through the night on horseback across a frozen river into Tennessee, where they were married.
Today the Biggers, still married and as much in love as ever, make their home here at 2604 Grove Street, where they have lived for the past 27 years. Biggers, a retired farmer, is now 89. His wife is 82.
Mrs. Biggers said she was forced to elope with her fiancé because of the opposition of her father, a Northern veteran of the Civil War, to the proposed marriage.
"He just hated to see any of his children leave home, and he thought that I was too young to be married at that time," Mrs. Biggers explained.
To make the dangerous trip at night over the frozen river, their horses were equipped with ice shoes, designed to bite into the ice. Three friends accompanied them on their flight and witnessed the marriage.
"I wasn't a bit afraid in galloping over the ice," Mrs. Biggers pointed out. "There wasn't a horse in Kentucky I couldn't ride then. But I rode side-saddle—not astride like the girls do now."
The couple was married by a minister at a small country church just over the Tennessee line. They returned to Glasgow later, and Mrs. Biggers' father became reconciled to the marriage.
Biggers was born in Indiana and taken to Kentucky by his family when he was a child. Mrs. Biggers is a native of Glasgow, which is about 100 miles north of Louisville. Both were members of farming families.
Following their marriage, the Biggers farmed in Indiana and Oklahoma. Biggers retired in 1923 and he and his wife moved to Oakland.
The couple's formula for a long and happy marriage is to "work hard, go to bed early and get up early."
The Biggers celebrated their anniversary today with an automobile tour of the Bay area, visiting friends. They were accompanied by one of their daughters, Mrs. Renna Beebe of Oakland.
They have three other children, Dennis, of Boise, Idaho; Leavy, of Medford, Oregon, and Mrs. Juanita Moore, Fairbanks, Alaska, eight grandchildren and ten great grandchildren.
The Oakland Tribune, February 23, 1950, Front Page.
OAKLANDERS WED 65 YEARS
Couple Eloped on Horseback over Ice
Exactly 65 years ago today, James Biggers, then 24, and Miss Lucinda Gregory, 17, eloped from their homes at Glasgow, Ky., and sped through the night on horseback across a frozen river into Tennessee, where they were married.
Today the Biggers, still married and as much in love as ever, make their home here at 2604 Grove Street, where they have lived for the past 27 years. Biggers, a retired farmer, is now 89. His wife is 82.
Mrs. Biggers said she was forced to elope with her fiancé because of the opposition of her father, a Northern veteran of the Civil War, to the proposed marriage.
"He just hated to see any of his children leave home, and he thought that I was too young to be married at that time," Mrs. Biggers explained.
To make the dangerous trip at night over the frozen river, their horses were equipped with ice shoes, designed to bite into the ice. Three friends accompanied them on their flight and witnessed the marriage.
"I wasn't a bit afraid in galloping over the ice," Mrs. Biggers pointed out. "There wasn't a horse in Kentucky I couldn't ride then. But I rode side-saddle—not astride like the girls do now."
The couple was married by a minister at a small country church just over the Tennessee line. They returned to Glasgow later, and Mrs. Biggers' father became reconciled to the marriage.
Biggers was born in Indiana and taken to Kentucky by his family when he was a child. Mrs. Biggers is a native of Glasgow, which is about 100 miles north of Louisville. Both were members of farming families.
Following their marriage, the Biggers farmed in Indiana and Oklahoma. Biggers retired in 1923 and he and his wife moved to Oakland.
The couple's formula for a long and happy marriage is to "work hard, go to bed early and get up early."
The Biggers celebrated their anniversary today with an automobile tour of the Bay area, visiting friends. They were accompanied by one of their daughters, Mrs. Renna Beebe of Oakland.
They have three other children, Dennis, of Boise, Idaho; Leavy, of Medford, Oregon, and Mrs. Juanita Moore, Fairbanks, Alaska, eight grandchildren and ten great grandchildren.
The Oakland Tribune, February 23, 1950, Front Page.
Couple Eloped on Horseback over Ice
Exactly 65 years ago today, James Biggers, then 24, and Miss Lucinda Gregory, 17, eloped from their homes at Glasgow, Ky., and sped through the night on horseback across a frozen river into Tennessee, where they were married.
Today the Biggers, still married and as much in love as ever, make their home here at 2604 Grove Street, where they have lived for the past 27 years. Biggers, a retired farmer, is now 89. His wife is 82.
Mrs. Biggers said she was forced to elope with her fiancé because of the opposition of her father, a Northern veteran of the Civil War, to the proposed marriage.
"He just hated to see any of his children leave home, and he thought that I was too young to be married at that time," Mrs. Biggers explained.
To make the dangerous trip at night over the frozen river, their horses were equipped with ice shoes, designed to bite into the ice. Three friends accompanied them on their flight and witnessed the marriage.
"I wasn't a bit afraid in galloping over the ice," Mrs. Biggers pointed out. "There wasn't a horse in Kentucky I couldn't ride then. But I rode side-saddle—not astride like the girls do now."
The couple was married by a minister at a small country church just over the Tennessee line. They returned to Glasgow later, and Mrs. Biggers' father became reconciled to the marriage.
Biggers was born in Indiana and taken to Kentucky by his family when he was a child. Mrs. Biggers is a native of Glasgow, which is about 100 miles north of Louisville. Both were members of farming families.
Following their marriage, the Biggers farmed in Indiana and Oklahoma. Biggers retired in 1923 and he and his wife moved to Oakland.
The couple's formula for a long and happy marriage is to "work hard, go to bed early and get up early."
The Biggers celebrated their anniversary today with an automobile tour of the Bay area, visiting friends. They were accompanied by one of their daughters, Mrs. Renna Beebe of Oakland.
They have three other children, Dennis, of Boise, Idaho; Leavy, of Medford, Oregon, and Mrs. Juanita Moore, Fairbanks, Alaska, eight grandchildren and ten great grandchildren.
The Oakland Tribune, February 23, 1950, Front Page.
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