A small bit of history. Ladder 12 100 years and eight days ago

[manhattan]

This is from Chelsea News, a local newspaper of April 9, 1915.  I?m not sure of the meaning of ?benedict? and if anyone knows I?d be interested to hear.


?Smiling Jimmie? Canning, of Hook and Ladder No. 12         

?Smiling Jimmie? Canning, of Hook and Ladder No. 12, has announced his intention of becoming a benedict.

Jimmie is very popular in Chelsea, and the bride-to-be, Miss Agnes Touzey, is one of the most popular of our neighbor, Greenwich Village.

By last reports his friends are accumulating large quantities of rice and old shoes.  I wonder why?

 

[Florian Knight]

"Become a Benedict" refers to a long term bachelor becoming a married man.

I believe it is in reference to the character "Benedick" from Shakespeare's Much Ado About Nothing.

 

[mack]

Thanks for the history, guys. Hope Jimmie Canning had a good career and a happy live with Agnes.