LeMars Semi-Weekly Sentinel 
June 8, 1917

The marriage of Miss Ella Helen Berner and Mr. Orin Kelly, of Remsen, was celebrated at 8 o’clock on Wednesday morning, June 6th, at St. James Catholic church. Rev. Father E. O’Farrell officiated at the celebration of the high nuptial mass.

The bridal couple were attended by Miss Mae Kelly of Remsen, and Miss Ottillia Berner, bridesmaids, and Mr. Felix Berner and Mr. Edward Smith, of Sioux City, groomsmen. Messrs. Leo and Frank Hentges were the ushers. At the hour of the ceremony, Mr. Joseph Hentges, the organist, changed the measure of his music to the stately wedding march which announced the bridal party, and immediately before the ceremony, Mr. J. Collin Kelly sang “Oh Promise Me.”

The bridal gown was of ivory charmeuse veiled in tulle and the long veil which was made with a cap effect, was fastened with a spray of lilies of the valley. The bridal bouquet was of bride’s roses and lilies of the valley.

The bridesmaids were gowned in silver brocade, having overdrapes of rose tulle. White picture hats and white parasols completed the pretty costumes.

Following the service the wedding breakfast was served to the immediate relatives at the home of the bride’s mother, 808 Hubbard street. Here the wedding colors, rose and silver, were most effectively used in the decorations and appointments of the tables. Killarney roses were the floral decorations used.

The bride has grown to womanhood in LeMars, where she has a large circle of friends. She graduated from the local high school, being a member of the Class of 1910.

Among the out of town guests who attended the wedding were Mr. and Mrs. Ed Kelly, Mr. and Mrs. M. Goebel, of Remsen, and Miss Irene Nugent, of Sioux City.

Mr. and Mrs. Kelly left on the noon train for Chicago and other eastern points, expecting to return to Remsen about July 15th, where they will be at home to their many friends. Mrs. Kelly wore as a traveling gown a becoming costume of blue silk with which was worn a modish hat and coat. 

~Photo & Notes contributed by family descendant, Janice Kelly Cox, daughter of Robert & Ruth Kelly

Above photo left to right is Orrin, Ella, Edward, Robert. Edward was born in 1922 and Robert in 1918.  Robert was a Japanese POW in WWII and Edward was killed in Germany April 12, 1945.  Orrin and Ella had 3 more children all of whom died in infancy.  John Joseph at 11 days from bleeding of the naval, Kathleen from pneumonia, although today they may have called it death from SIDS, and Margaret was stillborn.  Orrin, Ella, Edward, John, Kathleen and Margaret are all buried in St. Mary's Cemetery, Remsen, IA.  My father, Robert Kelly is buried in Odebolt, IA along with my Mother, Ruth Bye Kelly.  
 
Orrin was associated with the Judge Bradley hanging.  Orrin was not in the mob that removed Judge Bradley from the bench; however, Orrin was President of the farmer's group and so was arrested and detained for several days.  Orrin related his experience to the author, Studs Terkel. A written copy of Orrin and Hentges stories can be found in Studs Terkel's book "Hard Times".  

**Note from Janice Cox Kelly: Regarding how my grandfather, Orrin Kelly, was arrested after the Judge Bradley incident. An interview was conducted by Studs Terkel in 1971. Excerpts from that interview were published in Stud's book, "Hard Times". An audio of the interview can be heard at the link:

http://studsterkel.matrix.msu.edu/htimes.php

Orrin's interview is about 2/3 of the way down the page. Studs spelled Orrin's name, Orin Kelley, instead of Orrin Kelly. Right above Orrin's interview you can hear Studs talking with Frank and Rome Hentges of LeMars where they also spoke of the Judge Bradley incident.