Updated 7 July 2010
Today, 3 July 2010, is the 110th Anniversary of the wedding of Seth and Neva Kate Carmichael Johnson. Here is a photo of the Western Union Telegram that Papa Johnson sent to Neva Kate’s father, William Spencer Carmichael, “Grandpap”, that very afternoon to announce their marriage! (The middle initial “T.” in the telegram is incorrect. Papa Johnson was probably just a little nervous - lol) Wylie Pierson Johnson (Uncle Wylie) had this interesting history to add regarding the telegram.

Auntie, my mother's sister Manora Othela Carmichael Conley was interested in family genealogy and got posession of a lot Grandpap's letters, documents and memrobelia.  Antie's daughter Nonie, Manora Katherine Conley Brown, told me Auntie retrieved a lot stuff from the house in Newnan when Grandpap moved from Newnan to Florida in 1913.  Perhaps Antie got more stuff through the intervening years and after Grandpap died in 1943. The original of said telegram was one of the items in Auntie's files that Nonie took possession of after Auntie died in 1955.

My sister Katie has the original of the telegram. Katie made the copy of the telegram that she brought and displayed at our 2010 family reunion.

The date "3 July 1900" was stamped on the telegram. The stamp ink has faded over time; but, if you'll look close you can still make it out. Katie said Nonie gave her the original of the telegram a few years before Nonie died.

This photo is copied from the Facebook of Margie Helen Berkstresser Johnson. Thank you, Aunt Katie, for sharing this wonderful piece family history. Thank you Uncle Wylie for sharing the history of the telegram. And thank you, Margie Helen, and Parley Philip, for the heads up about this!

Wishing everyone a wonderful 4th of July!
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