Miss Lon Tom Becomes A Bride – Born A Missoula Girl
Local Chinese Girl Becomes A Bride In Butte – 1915
Miss Lon Tom Is Mrs. Dong Hong, After Ceremony True To Tradition
For the first time in five years Butte was the scene of a simon-pure Chinese wedding yesterday when Dong Hong and Miss Lon Tom were joined for life according to the traditional custom of the oriental kingdom, says the Butte Post. The bride was born in Missoula 18 years ago. She is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Sam Tom of the Garden City. Her father has been a resident of Missoula for 30 years. The bride is the oldest daughter in the family of seven sisters and four brothers. Mr. and Mrs. Dong Hong will make their home in Butte.
In every particular save the dress, the wedding yesterday followed the custom of ancient China. The ceremony took place at 214 Colorado street, and the officiating clergyman was the Chinese local minister, Jung Tipp. A reception was held at Mr. Hong’s home at 214 Colorado street following the wedding. The affair was what would be described in the American style as a quiet home wedding. Later a public reception will be given at one of the noodle parlors for the American and Chinese friends of the pair. Mr. Hong is well known in Butte among his own people and among the Americans. He is a highly respected resident, and the greatest consideration was shown him and his bride by the Chinese colony yesterday. As usual there were many presents, mainly of an oriental type. Some of the presents were imported from China especially for the occasion.
A Festal Occasion.
With traditional generosity there was open house at the majority of the Chinese homes in this city yesterday on account of the unusual ceremony of a native wedding. Lou Qwong is authority for the statement that it is now between four and five years since there was a Chinese wedding in this city. Moy Tom, a sister of the bride, and a young brother, came from Missoula for the ceremony. In a month Mr. and Mrs. Hong will go to Missoula to visit the bride’s parents.
Her Education.
The bride is one of the first Chinese girls born in this state. She attended the Catholic school in Missoula for some time. In deference to her Christian training the groom was willing that the marriage ceremony should be performed by the Christian minister, but the bride was patriotic enough to insist on the native ceremony. The happiness of the occasion has been communicated to the rest of the Chinese colony and consequently yesterday and today there was much visiting. Mr. Tom is engaged in the truck business in Missoula. His children are being educated in the American customs and speak English excellently. The bride also speaks English very well.
The above article appeared in The Daily Missoulian on April 23, 1915.
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