Rensselaer Republican, Volume 18, Number 40, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 10 June 1886 — THE KNOT TIED. [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

THE KNOT TIED.

The President and Miss Folsom Securely Bound in the Holy Bonds of Matrimony. A Quiet and Unostentatious Ceremony in the Blue Boom of the Executive Mansion. Profusion of Flowers, Elegant Toilets, and Sweet Music Lend Enchantment to the Soene. The wedding of President Cleveland and Miss Folsom took place at the Executive Mansion in Washington on the evening of the 2d jnst It was witnessed only by the members of the Cabinet, thetr wives, and twelve relatives or friende of the contracting parties. Rev. Dr, Sunderland performed the ceremony in the blue room, amidst a mass of rare flowers. The bride’s dress was of ivory satin, garnished with India muslin. The President and his bride left in the private coach of Robert Garrett for the cottage of ex-Senator Davis at Deer Park, Maryland. A report of the wedding festivities is appended.

Arrival of the Bride. Miss Folsom arrived at Washington in the private car of President Roberts, of the Penn. Sylvania Road, at 5 Si) a. m., and was met at the depot by Miss Rose Cleveland, who conducted her to President Cleveland's carriage. Folsom was followed by her mother and her cousin. Mr. Benjamin Folsom, who also got into the carriage, and they were all driven rapidly to the White House. There they were welcomed by the President and his sister, Mrs. Hoyt. Miss Folsom refreshed herself, changed her dress for one of lighter hue, and joined the others at breakfast. They were a very merry party. Miss Folsom spent the entire day in the private portion of the house with her mother, Miss Cleveland, Mrs. Hoyt, and Miss Nplson. Miss Cleveland gave her some interesting information about the management of the domestic affairs of the executive mansion. Getting Ont the License. About 10 o’clock in the morning Col. Lament got into the White House carriage and was driven e the office of the Clerk of the Supreme Court of the District, where, upon the payment of a Bland silver dollar, he recijved the foUowing permit: “To any minister of the gospel authorized to celebrate* marriages in the District of Columbia, greeting: You are hereby licensed to solemnize the rites of marriage between Frank Folsom, of Buffalo, N. Y., and Grover Cleveland, of Buffalo, N. Y., if yottfindno lawful impediment thereto; and, having so done, yon are commanded to appear in the Clerk's office of the Supreme Court of said District, and certify the same, “Witness my hand and seal of this court this 2d day of June, 1886. R. R. Meigs, Clerk.” Beneath this is a blank form which, when filled out by the minister, will read as follows: “I, Byron Sunderland, minister of the First Presbyterian Church, hereby certify that, by authority of a license of the same tenor as the toregoing, I solemnized the marriage ot the parties aforesaid on the 2d day of June, 1886, at the White House, in the District of Columbia. “Bybon Sunderland," ARehearsaL On the Colonel’s return to the White House he was closeted with the President for some time. The offices of the second floor were deserted by all but Chief Clerk Pruden, who was preparing bills for the President to sign, just as though it was not the wedding day. At 11:30 Dr. Sunderland appeared and asked to see Col. Lamont. “I have the form of the ceremony made up in the rough,” he said, “and I have come up here to perfect it. I have hardly had time to think since Friday night. I have had so many newspaper men after me that I have had to sit up until two o’clock in the morning to be able to write any- • thing.” The reverend doctor was in a most pleasantly excited condition, and almost completely out ot breath. After waiting a moment he was ushered into the red parlor, where he had a conversation with the President. The rehearsal of the wedding took place at 12:30. It was informal, and was not held in the blue parlor. The President, Miss Folsom, and Dr. Sunderland sat down in Mies Cleveland's little parlor up-stairs and quietly went over the services together. There were some changes made to suit the taste of the contracting parties. When the rehearsal was about over the President stepped out and called in his brother, the Rev. William Cleveland. Then the President said to Dr. Sunderland that he had not expected his brother to be present, but that he had arrived at the eleventh hour. It would please him greatly, therefore, if Dr. Sunderland could contrive some means by which his brother could participate in the services. Dr. Sunderland said that he dO not know of any way in which the services copTO be split up, but he suggested that the Rev. Mr. Cleveland deliver the benediction. It was arranged that way. The President at first was averse to having the form of the ceremony made public, but ’ e was finally persuaded.

Approaching the Anspicions Hour. About 6:33 o’clock Secretary Lamar came lumbering-ttp- the- flagetone Walk, and -he- was followed a tew moments later by”fH6 wizenDr. Sunderland and wife. After that the guests began to arrive rapidly in the following order: Postmaster General Vilas and wife, Mr. William Bissell. Secret iry and Mrs. Endicott, Secretary Bayard, Secretary and Mrs. Whitney, and Secretary Manning and wife. Attorney General Garland did not put in an appearance. Various reasons are assigned for his absence, the most plausible being his well-known antipathy to full dress. Hb made a solemn vow not vary long ago that he would not appear in public in a drees suit- The carriages of the guests drew up on Pennsjdvanla revenue near the main entrance. The guests were shown into the state diningroom, where their wraps were removed. From there they were Ushered into the blue-room, where they were received by Miss Rose Cleveland, and where conversation was entered into for a few moments. The blue-room seemed to have received the principal attention ot the decorators, and the work was well done. The display of flowers was •imply magnificent. The room was a mass of exotic plants. There were now present in the blue-room: Mrs. Folsom, mother of the bride; the Rev. Dr. William Cleveland, the President’s brother; Miss Cleveland and Mrs. Hoyt, the President's sisters; Secretary of State Bayard, -Secretary of the Treasury Manning and wife, Secretary of War Endicott and wife. Secretary Whitney and wife, Postmaster General Vilas and wife, Secretary Lamar, Private Secretary Lamont and wife, Benjamin Folsom of Buffalo, Mr. and Mrs. Rogers of Seneca Falls, Mrs. Cadmar and Miss Huddleston of Detroit, Mr. and Mrs. Harmon ot Boston (relatives of the bride), Mr. and Mrs. Nelson of New York, Mr. W. S. Bissell of Buffalo, the President's law partner, and the Rev. Dr. and Mrs. Byron Sunderland. Miss Rose Cleveland was looking very fresh, although aha had been up since 4:30 in the morning. She wore an exquisite drees of Nile green and cameo pink duchesse satin with silver ornaments, low corsage, garnished with I link roses, short sleeves, demi-length gloves in ight tan. She carried a fan of pink curlew feathers. Mrs. Folsom wore a dress of violet satin, with garniture in white faille, with crystal violet drops in pendants everywhere. Mrs. Hoyt, the President’s sister, wore a dainty costume en traine of China crepe in robins’-egg blue, most effectively gomitured with rare old lace. Her flowers were La France roses. Mrs. Manning's dress was of white satin, flounced across the front with duchesse lace, trimmings finished with sea-pearls, square neck, and elbow sleeves. Diamond ornaments. Mrs. Endicott wore satin with silver and - white sapphire, draped in black Chantilly lace. Red pomjKJu in hair and diamond ornaments. Mrs. Whitney wore a boaice of violet with white satin and tulle skirts trimmed with violets. Diamond ornaments. Mrs, Vilas’ dress was a light-blue silk with long train strewn with daisies of eilver, front of crystal and point lace and pearl trimming. Low neck and elbow sleeves. Mrs. Lamont wore an ivory-tinted satin dress, demi-train. with a panel of crystal and pearl on the left side of the skirt, square-necked corsage, edged with crystal and jet fringe, elbow sleeves, and a beautiful corsage bouquet of jacqueminot roses. '. • Mrs. Rogers, cousin of the bride, was dressed in « costume of delicate cameo pink, with brocaded front. Mrs. Cadman, a relative of the bride, wore a white satin dress en traine, with black lace draperies and jacqueminot roses. Mrs. Hannon wore a satin dress of light orange. . —r Miss Nelson wore a handsome costume of corn- ' colored satin, with overdress Ot white antique lace, cut pctnpadour. with low corsage and

elbow iIMTM. Her flowers were jacqueminot roeep. Miss Huddleston was dressed in pink silk With bine trimming. ’ " —~;t~ Mrs.Sunderland’s dress was gray satip trimmed with lace. long train, square neck, and elbow sleeves. 1 . It wanted ten minutes of seven o’clock when Miss Cleveland,. Mrs. Folsom, and the wedding guests placed themselves in a circle about the blue-room, Mr. Bayard standing at the head es the line at the left, while Mr. Cleveland’s brother stood at the other end of the horseshoe. The Cabinet officers did not arrange themselves according to their rank, but stood in line just as chance placed them. Mr. Lamar was next to Mr. Bayard, and Mr. Whitney stood above Mr. Vilas. - At exactly 7 a messenger made a quiet signal to Colonel Lamoht from the red parlor, and the Colonel repeated the signal to Dr. Sunderland, who irffinediately took his position in front of the great bank of flowers at the south end of the room. A second later the Marine Band, which was stationed in the ante-room, struck up Mendelssohn’S “Wedding March.” while booming cannon from the arsenal swelled the chorus of sound. Then the movement from began, and the bridal party appeared. All were anxious to wat:h the President's bearing, and all agree that he wasicool and composed, showing that same self-poise exhibited by him on inauguration day. He was in faultless eveniim dress, his coat fitting like, a glove, instead ofhis usual turn-down collar, he wore a high stand-up one, with a white-lawn tie carefully knotted at his throat A white rose was fastened to the lapel of his coat. Upon his arm leaned Miss Folsom, who fulfilled the role of the traditional beautiful bride. She never looked handsomer. Her rather tall, slim, graceful, well-rounded figure was displayed to its full advantage by her exquisite Parisian wedding dress. Its soft ivory -color made a gentle contrast with the fresh soft pink of her cheeks. Her brown hair, curled loosely upon her gracefully poised head, showed gleams of reddish lights through the soft tulle veil, which fell in a trailing mfstover her dress. Her blue eyes sparkled with excitement. She walked well, with a graceful, dignified bearing. The bridal conple turned to the right as they entered the room from the long hall, marching in step with gay music from the distant ante-

room, and faced the officiating Mr. Whitney settled his glasses oned pr twice more firmly upon his face. Mr. Larfiar stood with his hands behind him, and gazed with a look of dreamy rapture upon the bride, who, under the scrutinizing gaze of the small group, flushed and paled alternately. Mrs. Folsom fell back to the left to meet Miss Cleveland, and her friend Miss Nelson passed to the opposite side of the room from the, Folsom relatives. Mrs. Hoyt stood by them. The Rev. Dr. Sunderland was never more sonorous and impressive than in his performance of the ceremony. The little man inflated himself and made the most of every inch of his height, maintaining throughout great selfpossession and dignity. His thirty years of experience’ had prepared him for just such a Wedding. He wasted no time. Entering the Holy Estate. Dr. Sunderland then said, very solemnly and distinctly: “Forasmuch as wears assembled to observe thehply rites of marriage, it is needful that we should seek the blessing of the great God, our Father, whose institution it is, and therefore I beseech you now to follow me with reverent hearts in prayer to Him : “Almighty and Everlasting God, the Father of our spirits, the framer of our bodies, the giver of every good and perfect gift—Thou who. canst see the end from the beginning, who knowest what is best for us Thy children, and hast appointed the hoiy rite of marriage to be sacredly observed throughout allgenerations, regard now, we beseech Thee, Thy Servant, our Chief Magistrate; enddw him plenteously with Thy grace, and fill him with wisdom to walk in Thy ordinances. Be very nigh to him in the midst of many cares and grave responsibilities. Day by day may Thy law direct him and Thy strength uphold him, and be Thou forever his sun and shield. Be Thou graciously pleased to look down upon this Thy daughter, even as Thou didst favor the chosen Rebecca and many noble women that have adorned the world. May she indeed be a precious boon of good to her husband, to cheer and help him continually, a woman gifted with the beauty of the Lord and shedding the sweet influence of a Christian life upon the nation in whose sight she is to dwell. Wilt thou approve what we Thy servants come to do in Thy name by thine authority and under the laws of the land in which we live, and graciously assist them, this man and this woman, who are here to be united in the bonds of holy wedlock according to thc institution of Thy words. Mercifully be pleased. Almighty God, to vouchsafe to each of them Thy grace that they may well and truly weigh the unfailing vows which they are now about to make Io each other in the presence of this company and b3fore Thee, and that they may be enabled hereafter at all live together as to rejoice. in the of this uniop with joy unspeakable and full of glory, through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen." Turning then to the company, Dr. Sunderland said: “Marriage is honorable among all men in that a man shall leave his father and mother arid shall cleave unto his wife and they twain shall be one flesh. It was constituted by our Creator in the first paradise. It was confessed by patriarch and priest, prophet and apostle. It was confirmed by the teaching and adorned with the presence of the Redeemer, and has been honored by the faithful keeping of all good ms n and women since the world bee an. It is not therefore to be undertaken lightly or unadvisedly, but soberlv, discreetly, and in the fear of God. Into thi holy estate this man and this woman come now to enter. If any now can show just cense why they may not be lawfully united in marriage, let him now speak, or else hereafterforever hold his peace." Addressing himself to the bride and groom, Dr. Sunderland then said: “If you desire to be united in marriage you will signify the same by joining your right hands." - ... The bride and groom then joined hands, and of the latter Dr. Sunderland asked: “Grover, do you take this woman whom you hold by the hand to be your lawful wedded wife, to live together after God’s ordinance in the holy estate of wedlock? Do you promise to love her, cherish. comfort, ana keep her in sicknesaand in health, in joy and in sorrow, and, forsaMng all others, keep you only unto her so long so you both shall live?"

The Groom (firmly)—l do. Dr, Sunderland—Frank, do yon take this man whom you hold by the hand to be your lawful wedded husband, to live together after God's ordinance in the holy estate of wedlock? Do you promise to love him, honor, comfort, and keep him in sickness and in health, in joy and in sorrow, and, forsaking all others, keep you only unto him so long as you both shall live 1 The bride answered, in a low but clear voice, “I do." Dr. Sunderland—ln token of the same let the wedding ring be passed. Mr. Cleveland put the plain gold band on the bride's extended finger, and with increased solemnity Dr. Sunderland said: “Forasmuch as Grover and Frank have here agreed and covenanted to live together after God's ordinance in the holy estate of wedlock, and have confirmed thesame by giving and taking a wedding ring; now, therefore, in the presence of this company, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, I pronounce and declare that they are husband and wife, and what God hath joined together let no man put asunder.* The Bev. Dr. Cleveland then pronounced the benediction: “God the Father, God the Bon, and God the Holy Ghost, bless, preserve, and keep you, the Lord mercifully fill you with all spiritual blessings, and grant that you may so live together in this world that in the world to come you may have life everlasting. Amen." ~ ! -V V - V The Bridegroom’s Kiss. President Cleveland bent over and kissed his bride full on the lips. The other gentlemen present were not accorded the privilege of saluting the bride, who confined her favors to the ladies;otherwise, however, there was nothing to mar the harmony of the occasion. t Congratulations. Mr. Whitney made a graceful speech to MrsCleveland, and Mr. Lamar showered oompli.

meats upon her. He said that he had never in his life seen any one whoso completely satisfied his ideal of a mistress of the White House. “You will not only rule as a queen in the White House," he said, "but you will also be a queen in all our hearts.” This, with a low bow which Mr. Lamar alone knows how to make, was considered the banner compliment of the evening. Mrs. Folsom, the bride’s mother, who had shown deep emotion during the ceremony, was the first to tender her congratulations. Miss Cleveland followed her, and then the Rev. Mr. Cleveland and other relatives and friends in turn. While these congratulations were going dh the Marine Band performed the bridal chorus and march from “Lohengrin." Meanwhile the chimes throughout the city were making pleasant music, and Presidential salutes were fired by batteries of artillery near the river. The obime ot bells of the Metropolitan Methodist Episcopal Church rang out Mendelssohn’s Wedding March. President Cleveland and his bride led the way into the Bast Room, the adornments of "which were in keeping with its majestic proportions, and its ample space and brilliant illumination gave an excellent opportunity for a display of the ladies’ toilets. The room presented a mass of exotic plants. In the Dining-Room. After a brief season of promenading and conversation, during which the congratulations were renewed, the company proceeded „to the dining-room of the mansion, where a collation was served. There was no formal order observed ; the guests sat at the small tables, or slowly prohaenaded the room as they discussed the menu. The souvenirs of satin boxes containing pieces of the bridal cake, each one bearing the hand-painted monogram ot “C. F„” were greatly admired. The decorations of the dining-room were also i of an elaborate character. While the collation was being served the bride slipped away to her room and changed her bridal robes for a heavy traveling dress of gray silk, after which she returned and was joined by the President, who in the meanwhile had changed his dress suit for a traveling costume. At 8:30, President and Mrs. Cleveland bade their friends good-by and left the White House through a private exit from the red-room into the south grounds. In a closed carriage they

-were driven away, amid showers of rice that were thrown after them, and'eriesof “Godspeed" came from the rear porch. The bridal party having left the White House, the guests made merry for a short time. By ten o'clock all the guests had tiken their departure. The President and his bride were driven to the depot, where they took the train for Deer Park, Ma., for a week’s honeymoon. A Sketch of the Bride. Miss Folsom, whose Christian name is not Frances, but Frank, was born in 1864, says a Buffalo paper, and Will be 22 years old the 21st of July. She was bom at No. 168 Edward street, this city. As a child she attended Mme. Breckel’S French kindergarten, Later the family moved from Edward street to the house now occupied by Mr. George J. Letchworth, in Franklin street. At the time of Mr. Folsom’s death, in 1875, they were living at the Tifft House. Mrs and Miss Folsom were in Medina when this accident happened. After the funeral they went to Medina, where Mrs. Hannon, Mrs. Folsom’s widowed mother, resided. The Harmon family had a good social position, and owned considerable valuable real estate, including milling property. While in Medina Miss Folsom was a pupil at the High School. Returning to Buffalo in a few years, Miss Frank entered the Central School, and she and her mother boarded with Mrs. Jonathan Mayhew. While enrolled as a pupil at the Central School her name used often to get transferred to the boys’ lists, and so, in order that it should sound less masculine she temporarily inserted .the capital C after Frank, calling herself Frank Clara. This explains why her name now often erroneously appears with the initial in. She was a regular attendant of the Central Presbyterian Church, of which she is a member. Her mother occupied Mrs. R. D. Boyd’s house, on Franklin street, and from there Miss Folsom went to Wells College at Aurora. Her Central School certificate admitted her to the sophomore class at Wells College, which she entered without preliminary examinations in the middle of the school year. Miss Folsom was a great favorite at Wells College. Her tall, commanding figure, frankness, and sincerity made her the queen of the school. She was graduated from Wells in June, 1885, her graduating essay taking the form of a story. The hampers of flowers sent to her nearly every week, beginning about the second year of her college life, from the Executive mansion at Albany, and the particularly abundant supply that came from the White House conservatories when she was graduated, were only a few of the many little attentions paid her, the knowledge of which her college mates spread abroad on scattering to their distant homes for the summer vacations, thus exciting public gossip concerning Miss Folsom’s relations to the President. Miss Folaom has always been in the habit of spending her summers in Folsomdale, Wyoming County, two miles out of Cowlesville, at the residence of her late grandfather, Col. John B. Folsom. It is the typical homestead—a rambling farm-house set down amid the lovely scenery of the valley. Sundry newspaper reports have made Mr. Cleveland the benefactor of Miss Folsom in a money sense. Such statements are absolutely untrue. Her mother’s income has always been ample for their support, and any extra funds needed were always to be had from the grandfather, or “Paps John," as Miss Folsom called him, and whose recent death will make her the heiress of a goodly property. Miss Folsom's character is that of an unspoiled, ingenuous gir], full of self-pos-session, and' with tco much common souse to be overcome by her sudden elevation. Her chief characteristic is her intense loyalty to her mother, who is a charming woman. Miss Folsom’s life has had its deeper side. She is old for her years. One of her accomplishments is a rars gift for letter-writing. In dress her taste is very simple. Her hair is soft and brown, of a shade between dark and light She wears it combed back from her forehead, and loose, wavy tendrils escape here and there. She has violet-blue eyes, and a rather large nose; her eyebrows are very heavy and nearly meet The chief and striking beauty of her face is her mouth and chin.

Former White House Weddings. The White Mouse has been the scene of several weddings, each and all ot more or less display. Probably the wedding ot Nellie Grant ana Algernon Sartoris on May 21,1874, was the most brilliant of the half dozen taking place there. The Ecst Boom was the scene, and the pair stood under an immense floral bell, with a background of flowers filling the big east window. There were six bridesmaids and a noted company. It was a morning wedding, ami General Grant gave away his daughter with tearful eyes and ill-concealed emotion. Later on in President Hayes’ term, his niece, MISS Emily Platt, and General Bussell Hastings were married. The wedding was in the Blue Parlor, decorated with flowers, and here also the bride stood under a bell of flowers. To go bask te the beginning of the White House weddings, the first one was in President Madison’s time, when Miss Todd, a relative of Mrs. Madison, was the bride, and John G. Jackson, of Virginia, who was then a member of Congress, was the groom. The first East Roam wedding was that of Elizabeth Tyler, whose father was then President, and William Waller, of Williamsburg, Va. Miss Tyler was just 19, as was also Nellie Grant, when married. President Adams' son, John Quincy, Jr., married his cousin, Miss Johnson, in 1826. The wedding took place in the White House, in President Adams' administration. When General Jackson was President there were two weddings In the White House. Miss Easton, his niece, and Mr. Polk, of Tennessee, and a relative of Jackson, were married. The other was that of Miss Lewis, of Nashville, And Mr. Paqueol, who was afterward Flench Minister to this country. Martha Monroe married Samuel Gouvemeur, who was for a while President Monroe's This wedding 'took place in the East Boom, and the bride was just turned IT. V i The wedding of Mr. Cleveland is the ninth taking place in the White House, but it is the first wedding there of a President President Tyler’s second wife was the first mistresskof the mansion going there as a bride. Mr. Tyler and Miss Gardner werp married in New York, but came on to Washington and held their wedding reception in the White House. \