Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1892-04-22
THE REGAL WEDDING
If Nine. De Barrios and Senior De
Roda in New York.
MILLIONS AND BEAUTY IN 1T.
The Pretty Brides Life Full of Romance and
Hinged With Tragedy.
COURT SCENES IN A GOTHAM MANSION

NEW YoRI, April 2L-Mme. Francisca
De Barrios, the young and beautiful widow
If the late President of the Republic of
Guatemala, was married this evening to
senior Jose Martinez De Roda, Spanish
lobleman, at the magnificent residence of
he bride, S55 Fifth avenue The ceremo-
lies, both civil and religious, were only wit
lessed by few Of the more intimate friends
If the bride and groom and yet it was one
IF the most brilliant weddings that has oc-
cured in New York in recent years. In
he afternoon the civil ceremony was per-
formed by Mayor Grant and witnessed by
only few friends. In the evening the
religious ceremony took place.
The ballroom recently the scene of so
many gaieties had been turned into veri-
table temple by the erection of an altar re-
splendent in white satin and white flowers,
and the house had been transformed into a
floral bower. Shortly after o'clock Arch
bishop Corrigan, in full Episcopal robes,
entered the room, followed by Nine. De
Barrios, attended by Nine. Aparico. who
acted as godmother by proxy for the Queen
of Spain. Next came the groom attired in
the brilliant costume of the court of Spain.
He was attended by his best man, Senior
Bethancourt.
An Impressive Religious Ceremony.
The Archbishop, standing before a small
improvised altar, greeted the couple, who
knelt before him. Back of them stood the
witnesses, Senor Baldesano. Senor Savedra,
George Kidd, Senor Yznagann Yznaga and
Arthur Leary, and beside them was Senor
Segario, Secretary of the Spanish Legation,
in off ioI ha prip
Minister of Spain.
When the kneeling couple had arisen the
Archbishop began the celebration of the
solemn nuptial mass of the Romish Church,
followed by the reading of the marriage
services When this was completed and
Nine. De Barrios became Sonora De Roda,
the guests crowded around them and tend
cred them congratulations.
Then for two hours or more there was
merriment and a wedding feast. The gowns
of the ladies were particularly beautiful,
green brocade with decolette bodice with
falls of pale yellow chiffon. The skirt was
plain and the train long, each bordered
with Persian embroidery and set with en-
eralds. She wore no, jewels nor did she
carry flowers Among the guests present
were ex-Mayor and Mrs. W. r. Grace,
Mayor Grant, General and Mrs Butterfeld,
Mrs. o. S. Grant, Mr.. and Mrs. Cooper,
Mr. and Mrs. Kernochan, Mr. and Mrs.
Kidd, Mr.. and Mrs. Emmons, Mr.. and Mrs.
Bryce, Mr.. and Mrs Navarro, General
Sickles, Mr.. and Mrs. Del Valle, Mr.. and
Mrs. j. Aparico and Miss Inesada
AHoman Who Has Seen Life.
Francisco De Barrios is a native of Gen.
trail America She was born in Guatemala
in 1860. During the 80 years of her life she
has passed through varied experiences
When IA or Is years of age she began to go
out in society. 1t was at ball at the house
OF member of the Guatemalau Government
that she met General De Barrios He was
Immediately struck with her great beauty,
for which she was famed throughout Guate-
mala. He expressed wish to marry her.
The overtures were rejected by the father
Within a few months the couple were
married without the consent of the brides
father. There are two versions of the manner
In which the father was outwitted.
One is that the General abducted his wife,
the other that they ran away together. |
Whichever be true, they were married in
1875. The two men became reconciled, and
the marriage received the paternal blessing.
General DeBarrios was very proud of his
beautiful wife. He travelled with her
through the United States and Europe.
The best masters were secured to instruct
her in every accomplishment. As result
Nine. DeBarrios is to-day one of the best
educated women in the world
Avery Interesting Family.
Eight children were born to the couple
during the ten years of their married life,
FIVE boys The oldest is now Is years of
age, the youngest s. In 1885 Barrios was
killed, his mortal enemy, De Soto, having
now the house on Fifth avenue next to that |
the widow of Barrios has occupied since her |
husbands taking of:
Recognizing the instability of the Central |
American Governments, General De Bar |
rios had invested his immense wealth chiefly |
in America. A great deal of it was in San |
Francisco. After her husbands death in |
1885 Nine. De Barrios went to San Francis |
co and took possession of his property. The |
entire amount was in the neighborhood of |
IS, 100000. She remained in San Francisco |
only few months Soon she moved to New
York. and bought house on Fifth avenue
Senior Martinez De Roda is Spaniard by
birth. He is 81 years of age. He is en-
titled to style himself Marquis. but he does
not avail himself of the privilege because
of his democratic tendencies. Senior, De
Roda is a member of the Spanish Chamber
of Deputies, and is prominent in the coun-
ellis Of the Conservative party. He has
large estates near Barcelona, which district
he represents in the Cortes. He has prop
erty in Madrid also, and is said to be very
wealthy.
They Met at a Court Ball.
The bride and bridegroom will remain in
the city until May z, when they will leave
for Paris on the Gascogne. After a brief
stay in that city they will 60 to Spain and
will live in Madrid for greater part of
each year. The brides eight children will
probably be educated here
When Senor de Roda arrived here early
in February with his friend Senior Franz
cisco de Bethencourt, he came to marry
Madame de Barrios. They met first at 4
ball at the Austrian legation in Madrid and
the meeting was followed by wooing be-
gun on the Continent, and kept up since
February on this side of the Atlantic.