This is the way they do timid virgins and modest young men in Jacksonville. (Jacksonville, however, is in Oregon.*):--
    A young (but very simple) woman, anxious for a husband, was married to an individual of undoubted character (laziness being the most prominent), by a fictitious ceremony. After the happy couple had retired, their ears were greeted by a splendid serenade of cow bells, tin pans, bones, etc. The door was then opened, the loving couple "en deshabille" compelled to kiss each other, the connubial bedstead was fractured, and finally, in the morning, the husband left with a pack train.
Shasta Courier, Shasta, California, April 28, 1855, page 3    *To distinguish it from Jacksonville, California.

    A crowd of the boys went up the valley from Ashland Wednesday evening to favor Danl. Walker and bride with a French serenade.
"Brevities," Ashland Tidings, February 5, 1886, page 3


    We had a wedding on the sly Sunday evening, the 25th ult. The contracting parties were Joseph Rader and Miss Rachel Stanley. Everything was kept so still that it was not known until last Sunday, a week, that they were married, and then an attempt was made to raise a charivari party but the boys were so incredulous that, after working for several hours and riding several miles, they succeeded in raising a company of five, and the bride said they did not make noise enough to wake the children that were in the house, but they bled Joe to the tune of one dollar apiece.
A. C. Howlett, "Eagle Point News," Valley Record, Ashland, February 5, 1891, page 3


    One of the lamented relics of barbarism that still offends modern civilization is the charivari. When the consummation of a marriage approaches, this modern organized society of bandits send a representative to the prospective bridegroom to inform him that he must supply them with whiskey, money or spend a night of hideous torture, to the discordant din and howl of the charivari. This ends in a drunken brawl at a free joint or brewery where oftentimes very small boys are led into it by the supposed harmlessness of the fun. How long will peaceable law-abiding citizens suffer these things? How long will official dignity transcend the sacred obligations of a public trust, by becoming silent witnesses to such things? Hasten the time when cometh the bridegroom who will hand the charivari over to offended justice, and the officer who will protect the morals of the youth by commanding the public peace.
"Jacksonville Items," Medford Mail, January 14, 1892, page 2


    Mr. and Mrs. Theising were the recipients of a lively serenade on Monday evening at the hands of the Jacksonville tin-can brigade. The boys were royally treated by the happy couple and drank to their health many times before retiring.
"Local Notes," Democratic Times, Jacksonville, July 29, 1892, page 3


    Boys, give up that chivaree business. Remember, it isn't dignified, and also remember that there are ripe eggs quite aplenty nowadays. We hope that every boy that attends one of these meetings will get a goodly number to himself.
"Griffin Creek Gatherings," Medford Mail, March 3, 1893, page 3


    Jacksonville was awakened last night by an old-fashioned charivari party, the first one which has made its appearance here in a long time.
"Local Notes," Democratic Times, Jacksonville, September 1, 1893, page 3


    'Squire Dunlap was decked out in his best "bib and tucker" last Wednesday and looked gorgeous when he tied the matrimonial knot which binds together Thos. Carr and Mrs. M. A. Laist, at the latter's residence. He officiated so nicely that the bride and groom felt even happier because his services had been secured. In the evening Mr. and Mrs. Carr were treated to an old-fashioned charivari, and they responded in pioneer fashion. They have the congratulations and best wishes of numerous friends.
"Local Notes," Democratic Times, Jacksonville, September 8, 1893, page 3


    Last Monday night the good people of Gold Hill concluded to serenade Dr. and Mrs. Pryce on the event of their wedding. Accordingly, the band boys, headed by I. Deboy, leader; assisted by T. E. Hammersley, alto; Orris Crawford, baritone; Geo. Bryant, snare drum; Walter Bryant, first cornet; F. Bleven, second cornet; Bert Thomas, cornet; R. Fitzgerald, 2d tenor; Alec Carter, bass; Frank Parker, first alto; Henry Ray, bass drum; Geo. Carter, tenor, headed the procession. After the band came Mr. Ray, wife and daughter Lora, Mr. A. J. Barlow, wife and daughter Nellie, Mrs. Crawford, the Misses Katie Parker, Inez Fitzgerald, Maggie Hammersley and Ollie Marksberry, Messrs. Bart, Signorotti, H. Mansfield and last, but not least, W. P. Jacoby, who acted as master of ceremonies. On arriving at the premises the band struck up the wedding march and discoursed some excellent music. In fact, it may be said the boys fairly outstepped themselves. The doors were opened, and all invited into the spacious parlors. The doctor and his amiable wife were taken completely by surprise. The doctor, whose powers as a physician are acknowledged, was not a success as a parlor orator. He undertook to make a speech, but frankly confessed that he was not a speech maker. Mrs. Pryce, however, went to his rescue and said some very pleasant things. Mrs. Pryce was born and raised near Gold Hill, and on account of her womanly ways and genuine, true goodness has endeared herself to all who know her. The doctor presented the band boys with ten dollars for refreshment expenses, and after hearty congratulations and a pleasant good night, the crowd wended their way to their respective homes.
"Gold Hill Items," Ashland Tidings, September 15, 1893, page 2


    The Jacksonville tin can brigade was fooled once. They thought to treat Tom Clemmens to a first-class charivari last week, but he could not be found.
    The tin can brigade was in its glory last night. Another newly married couple and the entire neighborhood were inflicted with a charivari, which custom should be abolished instanter.
"Local Notes," Democratic Times, Jacksonville, September 22, 1893, page 3


    The tin pan brigade of Griffin Creek ran against a snag the other evening while serenading a newly married couple in that section. After they had made the night hideous for awhile, without eliciting any response, one of the number climbed up to look into a window. When he had reached the window and looked in, he found himself gazing into the muzzle of a revolver that looked as big as one of the turret guns on the Monterey. The company promptly broke ranks and departed.
"Local Notes," Democratic Times, Jacksonville, October 27, 1893, page 3


    Out on Griffin Creek last week the boys gave a newly married couple a tin pan serenade. Meeting with no response from the inside, one of the bold ones of the crowd ventured to raise a window which, unfortunately for him, was located immediately over the sleeping couch of the house's occupants. A white-robed form rose before him, and he was looking down the gleaming barrel of a large-sized revolver--he fell to the ground and was quickly hustled away by his comrades. The rattle-te-bang of tin pans didn't rattle-te-bang any more that night, and the young men of the neighborhood are now endeavoring to cultivate a little better sense of propriety.
"All the Local News," Medford Mail, October 27, 1893, page 3


    The tin-pan brigade, having snuffed that two marriages are on the tapis, was out in force last night, getting in trim for the next charivari. The music was serenely excruciating.
"Local Notes," Democratic Times, Jacksonville, November 24, 1893, page 3


    The residence of Hon. W. S. Crowell, at whose place are stopping his son and bride, was the scene of a merry serenade party last Friday evening. The house doors were thrown open and the serenaders invited to enter, which invitation was accepted, and the young couple together with the clever captain entertained their company in a most hospitable manner, and all were glad of the opportunity to be there.
"All the Local News," Medford Mail, December 15, 1893, page 3


    The tin-pan brigade was on the rampage last Monday night and "made Rome howl." Anvil shooting was a new feature introduced, and pandemonium reigned supreme for some time. Even the marshal could not quell the disturbance. The boys forgot the sick and dying, or probably they would not have been so noisy. They should have been satisfied with a plain charivari under those circumstances. Such conduct will not bear repetition, for the strong arm of the law will be invoked.
Democratic Times, Jacksonville, December 29, 1893, page 3

    Last week we mentioned the marriage of G. W. Williams. There was a little incident connected with it that we neglected to mention because of space. It seems that some of the boys about town had concluded that a charivari would be the one thing most proper to celebrate the occasion. They accordingly drew nigh unto Mr. W.'s place of residence, and at the first rattle-te-bang from their tin pans the gentleman opened his house door, and himself and son appeared on the scene with a basket of eggs which they hurled with unerring aim at the heads of the intruders. This quited their frolicsome notions, and they departed with great fleetness of foot, but unfortunately some of them collided with the embrace of Marshal Churchman, who had sauntered over that way to quiet any disturbance that might arise, but Mr. Williams, in the dusk of evening, knew not the difference between friend or foe, and the marshal felt a full-grown egg go ker-slam alongside of his hatband--and the marks are there yet. The serenade was brought to a very abrupt and sudden close, and to the credit of Mr. Williams, be it said he did himself proud. The only thing to be regretted is that the eggs were not back numbers. When the boys get funny and engage in sports of this nature a harmless, yet forcible, chastisement of this sort is the medicine they most need.
"News of the City," Medford Mail, April 20, 1894, page 3


    Mr. and Mrs. G. L. Schermerhorn came to Medford last Thursday, and from that day they dated their permanent residence in the city. Their residence, on North D Street, was not furnished entire, and the first night here they secured rooms at a neighbor's house, but the boys who met in that locality for a charivari didn't know this. Mr. S. had left a lamp burning in the house, which was the misleading evidence that led the boys to make not less than 700 gyrations about the house. By actual count there were eleven hundred and two instruments in the band that played to the amusement of an empty house. After several selections had been rendered there was a lull--to watch developments--but there didn't anything develop. Someone suggested that perhaps the newly married couple were not there. "Yes, they are," says another--"see that light." And there came another salute from the eleven hundred and two tin pans--but it didn't pan, and each of the serenaders went home by a back way.
Medford Mail, September 20, 1895, page 4


    It was a decidedly happy little party that was congregated in Medford on Wednesday of this week to witness the marriage ceremony which linked the hearts and hands of E. R. Peck, of Lake Creek, and Miss Susie Demmer, of this city. The ceremony took place in the Presbyterian Church and was performed by Rev. M. A. Williams. About fifty relatives and friends were present, and after the ceremony they all adjourned to the residence of the bride's father, Mr. M. Demmer, where the afternoon and evening were pleasantly spent in banqueting and making merry the occasion being celebrated. A dance was part of the evening program. A charivari party of about sixty young men, with Dan Waldroop as captain, organized about nine o'clock the same evening and very orderly marched to Mr. Demmer's residence, where two violins, a clarinet and other musical instruments were brought to good use in giving these people a lively serenade. After music and songs the party were invited in the house and given refreshments. A little more music, a few songs and three cheers for the newly married couple, and the serenaders came townward again. They were a happy, gentlemanly and entirely orderly crowd of boys. The young people who have occasioned this item are "just splendid" folks, and the celebration in their honor is but a fitting remembrance of their many virtues. The groom is a son of Henry Peck, of Lake Creek.
Medford Mail, September 27, 1895, page 8


    Mr. and Mrs. Floyd Pearce returned to Eagle Point last Saturday night, and the ladies of the community gathered together and called upon them. Mr. and Mrs, Pearce expected something of that kind so they went to Mrs. Thomas', but little Ida Grigsby met the crowd and told them where they were. The first thing they knew they were surrounded by a charivari party composed almost entirely of ladies. They had Constable Pool and one or two others gentlemen along in case they were needed, but Floyd capitulated on demand. As he was expecting a party of boys instead of ladies, he was not prepared for them, so under guard of one man he was marched off to the store after the necessary candy and nuts. When the men returned the company repaired to Mr. Fryer's, where the remainder of the evening was pleasantly spent. The next morning my little daughter, Agnes, presented me with a large package of candy and nuts, with compliments of Mr. and Mrs. Floyd Pearce. Floyd also ordered the Mail so that Mrs. Pearce can keep posted as to what is going on around her old home.
A. C. Howlett, "Eagle Point Eaglets," Medford Mail, July 29, 1898, page 5


    Medford people witnessed, or rather listened to, a good, old-fashioned charivari Thursday night, when a number of the boys who love fun, and who were under the guardianship of Sam Murray, gathered around the home of Ernest Elliott and his bride. Giant firecrackers, drums, tin cans and anything that would make a racket played an important part in the serenade. Anxious citizens were thrusting their heads out their bedroom windows in all parts of the city, but when the yell of triumph came which indicated that they had been invited inside to partake of delicious refreshments, the nervous people took a look under the bed and went back to pleasant dreams.
"City Happenings," Medford Mail, June 23, 1899, page 5


    Photographer H. C. Mackey and Miss Mary L. Walker were married in Medford at 10 o'clock, on Sunday, Aug. 20th, Rev. O. J. Gist officiating. The ceremony took place at the living rooms of the groom, in the Hamlin block, in the presence of a few invited guests. Mr. Mackey is a prime favorite with all people of the town, he having become well acquainted with everybody during his several years' career here as a photographer. The bride is the handsome young daughter of Mrs. Mary Walker, of this city. The happy couple have experienced a continual flow of congratulations since the event of Sunday, and Mr. Mackey's male friends have been more than profuse in their demonstrations of good cheer. Those present at the wedding were Mr. and Mrs. J. H. Butler and Misses Cook and McCauley. Monday evening between the hours of ten and eleven a charivari party was organized and for a good half hour they made things decidedly interesting for the newly wedded couple. About twenty boys of the K. of P. lodge, of which Mr. Mackey is a member, left their lodge hall for the domicile of the bride and groom, and by the time they reached the scene of contemplated action about eighty townspeople had joined them and stealthily they filled the stairs and hallway leading to the couple's apartments. When all had assembled, Ed. Bodge gave a signal on Bob Dow's Filipino horn, and the ball opened. There were twenty-four cow bells, a large circular saw, several, or more, horns, and divers articles of a noisy tendency--all opened fire at the same time--and then the house roof raised about six inches. Mr. Mackey and his bride came out and shook hands with about seven hundred of the crowd, Mr. Mackey produced two boxes of cigars and provided for the purchase of other refreshments--of liquid form--and a serenade a couple of more times followed and the party adjourned--for refreshments.
"City Happenings," Medford Mail, August 25, 1899, page 7


    QUITE A DIFFERENCE.--Last Saturday night the Black Serenaders gave a performance in this city, and Wednesday night the "White Serenaders," armed with tin pans, horns and just any old thing to make a noise were out to serenade A. S. Rosenbaum and wife who were married in this city several months ago and slipped away, fooling the boys so nicely. The boys kept hammering away for some time and finally gave it up as a bad job, not being able to raise their man.
Gold Hill News, September 9, 1899, page 5


    The ancient custom of charivari or shivaree, which still survives in rural sections of the United States, is not only a brutal one, but it led to a frightful tragedy near Watonga, O.T., a few days ago. A charivari party was serenading a bride and groom, Mr. and Mrs. Ray Higgins, and making deafening noises by beating on pans, etc, The couple appeared upon the porch and the groom ordered the serenaders to leave. One of the party pointed his gun at the young couple and fired. The bride's face and breast were filled with buckshot, and she died an hour later. The bridegroom was shot in the face, but not fatally, and a little brother of the bride was also wounded. The charivari party fled, and so far none has been arrested. This outrage should go far to put an end forever to a custom that long ago should have become obsolete.
    The word charivari, which in local American usage is frequently corrupted into chivaree or shivaree, comes from a French word of uncertain origin, signifying a mock serenade. In France, particularly in the southern districts, serenades produced by kettles, frying pans and horns, and accompanied by shouts and cries, given under the windows of newly married couples, or inflicted upon persons who had made themselves socially or politically unpopular, were a popular custom, but popular rather among the givers than the receivers of such dubious compliments. Such concerts were styled charivari, and by expansion the term is now applied to any tumultuous discord. The custom is traceable to a very high antiquity, and still survives in spots throughout the French provinces. The same sort of concert in Germany is called katzenmusik (cat's music), and in England rough music.
    The charivari in France was originally extended to all bridal couples, but more recently was limited to widows or widowers who remarried too hastily, to couples among whom an unusual disparity of age existed, or to such other unions as were either ridiculous or unpopular. Cases of notorious domestic infelicity or infidelity called forth similar expressions of neighborly disapproval.
    In medieval times in many European countries a wife who beat her husband was placed upon a donkey, with her back to its head; its tail was grasped by the henpecked spouse, and thus they paraded through the streets greeted with shouts and cries and beating of tin pans. Here possibly was the germ idea of the charivari.
    At the beginning of the seventeenth century charivaris were forbidden by the council of Tours under pain of excommunication. The French parliament was against the custom, but neither church nor state was able to put an end to the custom.
    The French inhabitants of Louisiana and Canada, and also the Dutch settlers in New York and Pennsylvania, brought the custom to America, and through them it was pretty generally distributed over the United States where it still retains its hold on various rural communities under the name of shivaree.
    The hideous aggregation of sounds that go to make up a charivari is kept up until the bridegroom appears and treats his crowd of torturers. Should he delay his appearance too long, or attempt to wear out the crowd by a refusal to appear, the outside company is apt to become riotous, and often stones are hurled through windows, and after them perhaps dead cats and rotten eggs.
    The firing of blank cartridges is also considered a fitting accompaniment to the music of tin pans, horse fiddles and horns, and the fatal ending of the recent case in Oklahoma was probably due to this idea, for murder could hardly have been intended. But the fool with a gun that he does not believe to be loaded is a very common and dangerous kind of fool. Asylums should be set apart for such fools.
    It is high time, indeed, that the communities in which the charivari still exists should take stringent measures to stamp out this idiotic survival of semi-barbarous times. That it still does survive in certain communities only points to a lack of civilization and progress in such sections, though, indeed, the custom breaks out in unexpected spots at times.--N.Y. Herald.
Medford Mail, October 27, 1899, page 8


    There was a quiet wedding at the residence of Mr. and Mrs. O. P. McGee, on Wednesday night of last week, when Mr. James Hall, of Josephine County, and Mrs. Mollie Bays were joined in wedlock by Rev. J. P. Moomaw. There were none present except Mr. McGee's family, Wm. Ulrich, your correspondent and family and the officiating clergyman. After the ceremony was pronounced, all sat down to a fine supper which had been prepared for the occasion, and later we had some good vocal and instrumental music. It was arranged that on Thursday night Mr. McGee and family and the newly married couple were to be at our house, but only Mr. and Mrs. McGee came, the bride and groom remaining at home. About 7:30 in marched some ten or twelve ladies to tender their congratulations. A few minutes later an unearthly noise greeted our ears, and Mr. McGee and all the ladies rushed off to the scene of the action, where they found about twenty young men and boys who had with them everything that could be used to make a noise. Mr. and Mrs. Hall came outside and the crowd was treated to candy and nuts, after which they were invited into the parlor, where the evening was very pleasantly spent.
A. C. Howlett, "Eagle Point Eaglets," Medford Mail, December 14, 1900, page 5


    P. B. O'Neil was given a charivari party this week by about twenty of his friends, in this city, who are at present undecided who the joke is on. It all came about by some suspicious conduct on the part of P.B. He acted for several days as if he were contemplating some sort of change in his mode of living, and at past the time when his friends had decided that Cupid had at last brought him to terms, he was seen driving to the county seat in company with the party to whom his troth was supposed to have been plighted. This was taken as proof positive by the knowing ones that they had struck the right lead, and in order to convince him that they approved of his matrimonial venture, the friends above mentioned produced a supply of tin horns, cow bells, tin cans and other modern instruments of torture, and marching with stately tread to the East Side home of W. B. Roberts, where the supposed bride and groom were stopping, proceeded to make the welkin ring with music not at all like that produced by the soul-stirring and sainted Wagner. But Mr. O'Neil is still numbered among the "eligibles," and smiles blandly at the discomfiture of his serenaders.
"City Happenings," Medford Mail, June 21, 1901, page 7


    A charivari party of young boys about town, who were gathering with their tin pans and other instruments for an invasion of the west side, had their plans rudely broken into by Officer Long, who made a raid upon a party and landed three of the youngsters in the city bastille. They were afterward released after a short incarceration. Several others pleaded so hard that they were let off with a lecture.--[Tidings.
"Local Notes," Democratic Times, Jacksonville, June 27, 1901, page 7




    Married--July 22, 1906, by A. L. Haselton, J.P., Mr. Tracy Boothby and Miss Manning, laughter of Frank Manning, of Leeds. The happy couple spent the night at the Sunnyside Hotel and about ten o'clock p.m., about a dozen of the young folks of our town gave them a short chivaree. Mr. B. was prepared with candy and cigars, and after a few moments' pleasant chat the boys dispersed and peace and quiet reigned again.
A. C. Howlett, "Eagle Point Eaglets," Medford Mail, July 27, 1906, page 3


    Mr. and Mrs. John O'Connor, who were married in Jacksonville by Judge Neil on the 11th inst., came out on the P.&E. on the 12th and spent the night at the Sunnyside and about 10 o'clock p.m. there was a company of youngsters--I suppose boys--congregated under the window of their bedroom and gave a genuine old-fashioned charivari. The groom got up, dressed himself, went out and gave the boys some money and started them off. The next morning they started for the railroad camp, where Mr. O'Connor is at work putting in culverts.
A. C. Howlett, "Eagle Point Eaglets," Medford Mail Tribune, January 18, 1910, page 2


    Last Saturday Mr. and Mrs. O'Brien, formerly Mrs. Cora Officer, came out from Medford to visit her father, brothers and sisters. They were recently married in Portland, and I could not get the particulars, so did not mention the matter in the Eaglets, but will here say that her many friends here are wishing her and her husband a large share of the pleasures of life in their new relations. Well, the young folks had a dance Saturday night and kept it going until about 1 a.m Sunday, and then a company of her friends, and some who went through curiosity, collected at her brother-in-law's, H. B. Holmes, to give them an old-fashioned charivari--whooping, yelling and making all the hideous noises they could, and finally Mr. Holmes came out and ordered them away, greatly to the disappointment of the crowd.
A. C. Howlett, "Eagle Point Eaglets," Medford Mail Tribune, April 13, 1910, page 2






    The residents of Court Street were awakened from their slumbers Tuesday night by a charivari party. There was commotion of all kinds, the firing of guns, beating of tin pans, discord of voices and a general hurrah, but investigation fails to find a newly wedded couple or a wake.
"Personal and Local," Medford Mail Tribune, December 21, 1910, page 7

HOSE CART USED [AS] WEDDING CHAISE
Medford Fire Department Meets Jack Dent and His Bride,
Who Was Formerly Miss Margaret Ewbank, on Their Return from Eugene.