Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1886-03-20
SENSATIONAL REPORT
ihat President Cleveland is Engaged-An
old Kniokerbocker Family Con-
tains the Bride,

New York, March ls-The story comes
from Albany says the Boston Herald, tha,
President Cleveland is engaged to marry
Miss Van Vechten. The young ladv is tall
and most beautiful in face and figure, and
she has many charms and graces of manner.
The circle in which she moves Is one of the
most exclusive in the United States. Tho
high society of Albany is unauestionablv the
most difficult to penetrate of any in the
country. and Miss Van Vechten is its central
star She lives in a splendid house that
is situated directly across the street from
the Executive Mansion, where Mr.. Cleve.
land, when he was in office, could, without
difficulty, have looked into Miss Van
Vechten's window. The lady has rich
complexion, dark eyes, and a wealth Of
waving brown hair When Mr.. Cleveland
was Governor Of New York State he fire.
quently met Miss Van Vechten at the
various receptions which occurred in tho
Executive Mansion and elsewhere in
Albany, and he exhibited marked
preference for her society. 1t is, in.
deed, said that be took every possible
occasion to be at her side and 1t is
now noticed that she is spending great
deal of her time in Washington, where few,
i any, Of the social gatherings of which
the President is feature are allowed to
60 by without her presence. She is the
lady who will be remembered as ole Of ths
personages concerned in a curious story
which had tragic ending only few
months ago. There is in Albany youns
gentleman OF great wealth named Pruyn.
Miss Van Nechten was at one time arpar.
emily much attached to him, and when she
mi IN A Il ,l,., lie e., : tl,a
summer he proposed for her hand. She
considered the matter for a day, and
then, wishing to take plenty
Of time for the final making up Of
her mind on matter destined to affect her
whole life, she asked Mr.. Pruyn to wait foi
his answer until the end of the summer sea
son,, He urged her to consent without
further delay, but she was firm in her de-
cIslon on that point, and passed on her
way. Mr. Pruyn went to the White
Mountains to spend his summer, and while
there he met the family of Il New England
clergyman. With one Of the two
charming daughters he fell desperately
in love. and meanwhile, it is said, Miss
Van Nechten accepted his proposal
OF marriage In reply he wrote her frank
letter telling her of the change that had
come over him, and She, with womany
generosity, released him from his bargain.
Thereupon he became engaged TO ths
clergyman's daughter, The engagement
was most desirable one to the minister's
family by reason of young Pruyn's wealth,
social standing and pleasant, personal
traits. The young lady seemed to he
highly pleased with the situation, and
her father, mother and sister most
cordially urged the suit of the young Al.
bian. A day was finally set for the cere.
mony. and just on the eve of its approach
the prospective bride eloped and went to
Europe with a young cotton broker of New
York. The results of that act have been
extraordinary. The clergyman is reported
to have become mental wreck, and be-
lieve the mother and second daughter are
both dead, Young Mr. Pruyn was terribly
broken up by this series of events.