Caroline Matilda (Carrie) SMITH
1914 - Married 52 Years - Mr. and Mrs. George W. Salisbury will observe anniversary tomorrow

Mr. and Mrs. George W. Salisbury, who reside at No. 1 ½ Lewis Street are congratulating themselves that if they live until tomorrow they have reached the fifty-second anniversary of their marriage. Although for the first three years of their married life they did not see each other and were thus forced to dispense with what is commonly known as the honeymoon, Mr. Salisbury says that they have endeavored to stretch that important occasion over the remaining 49 years and from the smiles on the faces of himself and wife, they have succeeded admirably.

Both Mr. and Mrs. Salisbury are natives of Aurora, and it was there 52 years ago, that they were married, separating the next day and for three years an occasional letter was all that either heard from the other. The reason for this uncommon action is the ____ of an interesting story.

Fifty-two years ago in Aurora, Mr. Salisbury was engaged to Miss Carrie B. Smith, one of the most popular young ladies in the village. In the summer of ’62, when the call to arms was sounded throughout the country, Mr. Salisbury enlisted in the One Hundred Eleventh New York Infantry which was being organized by Gen. C. D. MacDougall. The regiment was ordered to start for the front on August 21 and after talking the matter over, the young couple decided that they would be married before it left, and on the evening of the 20th, they took the vows for better or for worse.

The next morning, Mr. Salisbury left with his regiment for the front and until June 1866, when they were mustered out of service, a picture was the only sight which he had of his wife’s face. He went through the war with the same regiment and at the close hastened home to his bride.

She in the meantime had been preparing for housekeeping and they settled down in Aurora where they remained for six years, when they removed to this city where they have lived ever since.

Three children, one son and two daughters have come to them, Sherman, Helen, and Charlotte, the last of whom is married and lives in Webster, Mass. Mr. and Mrs. Salisbury leave on Friday morning for Webster, where they will spend a couple of weeks with their daughter, four grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.

Both Mr. and Mrs. Salisbury are active physically and mentally, the latter taking a great interest in the European war, and takes great delight in discussing the difference in the military tactics of today and those of ’62 – ’65.


The Auburn Citizen
Auburn, New York
Wednesday August 19, 1914

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