Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1882-10-20
A Sequel to the Diamond Weddtng.''

The Diamond Wedding that occur
red in New York city some twenty odd
years ago, is now supplied with sequel
that at once revives the interest which that
event created, and furnishes fresh topic
for fashionable gossip in Gotham. And
here is a sketch of this piquant real life
story of money, love and matrimony:
October 10, 1859, Frances Aurelia Bart
lett. of New York city, was married to
Don Estaban Santa Cruz de Oviedo, Gu
ban of high family and princely wealth
and one who, though somewhat advanced
in years, was a man of good taste, gra-
cious disposition and extreme liberality.
Archbishop Hughes, then in the heyday of
his vigor. performed the ceremony. The
wedding at the time, created the greatest
excitement. and has probably never been
surpassed in this country for splendor and
display. The Don fell in love with Miss
Bartlett at first sight. She was lady who
added to her graces Of person a cultivated
mind and charm of manner that fasci-
nated all who came in contact with her.
Besides, she was very scholarly, was ac-
quainted with several languages, and spoke
Don Estaban's native Spanish f1uently.-
The advances of the visitor were ardent,
but respectful and soon society was ring
ing with the news that the match had been
arranged. Then came word of the we'd
ding. 1t was to be the biggest thing on
record, in social way, and the hundred
tongues of gossip were busy with it long
before it was fixed. And, in truth, the
widest speculations about it were fairly
realized. Such style, such magniicence,
such trousseaux, such presents, were be-
yond the experience of those days. The
affair was long spoken of distihctively and
commemorated in Stedman's poem as
1.-THE Diamond Wedding' Mrs. Bartlett
de Oviedo went off in great state to her
Cuban home. Eight years ago Don Esta-
ban Santa Cruz de Oviedo breathed his
last. His widow had abided in Cuba from
her marriage, and after her husbands de-
mise she remained in their home attend
ing to the functions which had devolved
upon her. Recently, her business affairs
being all settled, she determined on visit
to the scenes of her girlhood, where some
dear friends still lived. On board the ves-
sci with her sailed Colonel Body Won Glu-
mer, engaged on service for the Mexican
government. This gentleman is a Prus-
sian by birth. and in his native place held
hn Of nv, ILL.,
and by profession. he came to this country
during the troublous times in the South,
and in Mexico became Colonel of the en-
corps. Won Gunner is a tall. |
gallant looking man, with an
easy, affable manner, and possessed, his
friends say, of a sngularly good-natured
which has won him favor ev.
srywhere. Aboard the ship, chance threw
1im much in the company of Mrs. Oviedo,
Ind On reaching New York the friendly
citations between them ripened into a
warmer feeling. They have been in New
7 ork but couple of months, but in that
space the Colonel wooed and won the
charming widow, and they were married
n Trinity church. 1t was the desire of |
both that their nuptials should be attend
I'd only by few intimate friends, and by
'leven O'Clock (for which hour the ceremo-
~ was fixed) there were only score or so
If ladies present. A number of foreign
ooking gentlemen, friends of the bride
room, doubtless, were on hand, and there
vas fair gathering of old time acquaint-
noes of the bride and her family. The
room wore full dress uniform of Mex
can Colonel, and appeared a gallant Off
er Of about fifty, while the lady hardly
ooked the forty summers with which she
$ credited. She wore travelling dress of
light blue silk, and white chip hat and
Gather. Following the pair came Senior
Navarro, the Mexican Consul General, and
drs. Bartlett Bradley, the BRIDES sister
n-law. The ceremony was simple, the
1olonel bearing himself CALAMITY and the
ady graciously. When they were pro-
ounced one there was clustering of
riends about them, much kissing and
reat congratulations. Then they went
IF to the Park Avenue Hotel, where an
lformal reception was held, after which,
hey left the city f4r Saratoga, ~