The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1886-06-10
Washington Letter.
WASHINGTON, June 4, 1885.

WASHINGTON, June 4, 1885.
IN list of eighteen marriage licenses
granted at the Recorders office, ap-
peared in the papers this morning, the
names of Grover Cleveland and Fran
ces Folsom, of Buffalo, n. Y. These
names appeared about the middle OF
the list-the other names represented
p tiles unknown to fame, but repre-
senting more than one shade, color
and previous condition.
rhe outside world was excluded
ftom the White House during the GER
emony, but enough had been seen and
heard to know that the unostentatious
good taste and democratic simplicity
of the nuptials were all that the dis
ciples of Jefferson and Jackson could
have desired. Particular pains have,
from the first, been taken not to
shroud the news and the event,in
mystery, but to foil the impolite and
intrusive Paul Pry Representatives of
the press, to whose keen and irreverent
noses norhing is sacred.
Miss Folsom arrived in Washington
at 6 o'clock on Wednesday morning.
She was driven to the White House
through the green and shaded road
way of the Smithsonian grounds in
stead of by the more direct route of
Penn. Ave. She entered the White
House by the rear portico aud was re-
ceived by the President at the door.
She was then conducted to the South
chamber on the second floor, which
had been embowered in flowers. At
s o'clock breakfast was served, Miss
Cleveland sitting at the foot of the
table, Miss Folsom on her right hand.
A number of relatives of the bride
break tasted with them, and the new
mistress of the White House was sub.
jected to a severe social ordeal-one as
trying to her composure as any she
will probably be called upon to under.
go. After breakfast the President, as
is his wont, addressed himself to his
official duties and worked continuous
ly until noon. Miss Folsom spent her
| time with her mother and friends
looking at and admiring the floral
| decoration. Before luncheon the Pres.
ident saw his bride for a few moments
and then ordering his carriage, took q
short drive. This was doubtless that
he might look for the last time at the
beautiful world he was about to turn
his back upon. Towards evening the
streets surrounding the Executive
Mansion began to present an animated
appearance. All sorts of people flocked
thither, on foot and in vehicles, anx-
ious to catch a glimpse of the bride
and groom. The ragmuff1n boot. black
was there, as were pretty female clerks
from the departments, dudes, men OF
wealth and leisure, with their wives,
cousins and aunts. All the iron gates
leading to the rear of the mansion had
been locked. but the front approach
was unbarred and the grounds as far
as the portals of the White House
were accessible alike to American cit
izens, foreigners and anarchists.
| About o'clock the strains of Men
delsohn's Wedding March were heard
within, and the President, In close
fitting evening dress, his left hand
gloved and carrying a glove in his
right hand, descended the broad stair.
way and entered the Blue room. He
nodded to the leader of the band and
taking his position in the center of the
room, Rev, DR.. Sunderland, supported
on his left by Rev. Cleveland, brother
of the groom, calling tn am only by
their first names-Grover and Frances
I-pronounced them husband and wife
after a ceremony of considerable
length. The strains from the opera OF
Lohengrin announced to the crowd
without that the President of the
United States was married. Church
bells all over the city rang out, the
whistles of engines and steamboats
beloved long and continued blasts
| LAC CuuAuCI vi
the joyful uproar. Meanwhile the
guests extended their congratulations
the Rev. Cleveland being the only
gentleman who kissed the bride. The
President and Mrs. Cleveland led the
way to the dining room. and Mrs
cleveland, seizing the silver knife
stabbed the wedding cake to the heart
While the others were still at the
table, the distinguished couple donneG
their travelling attire and entered theil
carriage, which had been driven tC
the rear of the mansion, amid a show
er of rice and old shoes, one of which
struck the distinguished functionary
on the arm. The carriage was driv
en- by circuitous route to sid,
track fthe Baltimore Il Ohio railroad
some distance beyond the station
where a special train awaited then
in which they were quickly conveyed
to Deer Park, where they will spenC
their honeymoon.
! White House Weddings.