Maud Donaldson GALL (Maud Donaldson SMITH)
& John Stewart S. GALL,
Golden Wedding Anniversary, Vancouver, BC, Canada, 1952

Vancouver Sun, 21 Feb 1952 (excerpts):
"Mr. & Mrs. John Stewart GALL . .
were married in a Scottish Presbyterian Church which stood . .
on the northeast corner of Georgia & Richards . . 18 Feb 1902.
They will officially celebrate . . in the house where they have lived since 1914 . .
when they were within three blocks of the forest-fenced edge of the city.
Mrs. GALL . . was five . . when she came to Vancouver with her parents in 1888.
Mr. GALL . . from Edinburgh in 1896 after being articled as a lawyer in Scotland.
In Vancouver he turned to real estate & has never practised law in Canada.
He became a partner in the firm of Richards, Akroyd & GALL, retiring 20 years ago . .
to concentrate on fishing & playing golf . .
They have no specific recipes for a long & happily wedded life.
'We've never had any fights, if that's what you mean,' said Mr. GALL.
'At least,' he added with a twinkle in his eye, 'we've never come to blows.'"

Another newspaper clipping, 1952 (excerpts):
" . . Maud became the bride.
Just a jolly little toddler when they first lived here,
she will be the first bride to be joined to the mann of her choice in this part of the city
[English Bay]. The ceremony was performed at St. Andrew's Church . .
after which the wedding party drove in their carriages
to the home of Mr. & Mrs. SMITH for the wedding breakfast . .
They left in the S. S. Charmer on their wedding trip to the [Vancouver] Island."

Letter to Maud from a friend on the occasion of this Anniversary (excerpts):
Golden West Hotel, San Diego Calif., March 3/[19]52
Dear Maud [Maud Donaldson GALL, Maiden Surname SMITH],
A letter received by me . . contained only a page
from the News Herald of Feby 21st. In this is a write up
of "First to Wed at English Bay" which I read with
great interest. Is it that long ago? Doesn't seem so . . In the fall
of 1900 [?], or rather in the spring, Jack [John Stewart Smith GALL] asked me
where I spent my Sunday's. I told him at the Beach
English Bay at the SMITH's. Jack says I would like
to go with you. I said OK . . Do you [Maud Donaldson SMITH]
recall that you had a small Indian canoe. Jack
looked it over asked me if I could ride it.
A little wind was blowing, enough to make the
bay a little lumpy. I paddled round a little.
Jack not to be outdone took a shot at it. He
was 6'3" & I guess must have weighed 180 lbs. or
so. He navigated it safely. Then you to show
your seamanship skill, took the canoe & put
little sister . . & the spaniel
and off the three of you paddled away.
Jack didn't say much going home. Nor had he
much to say during the week. However when next
Saturday rolled around, he was eager to go again
to SMITH's. About this time, I went for a trip
to the interior, returning about three months later.
Finding no one at home, I made my way to the SMITH's.
Your mother broke the news to me about you and Jack
being engaged. I was stunned . .
To the rest of this letter >

Links to:
City of Vancouver Archives (BC, Canada);
CPR Steamer Charmer;
CPR Steamer Charmer (Photo);
CPR Steamship Charmer
(Article from the Victoria Daily Colonist, 30 Jan 1904);
English Bay Beach (History);
A History of Wedding Anniversaries;
The Presbyterian Church in Canada;
Presbyterianism (Catholic Encyclopedia);
Vancouver, BC, Canada (Heritage Plaques, Gastown);
Vancouver, See Vancouver Heritage

Maps:
Vancouver, BC, Canada (Map of Downtown & English Bay Area)

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