The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1893-04-30
The THINKS RICHMoND va: SUNDAY APRIL 30 1898

are. that she attended q kindergarten
kept by Nine. Brecker. asked In vain
concerning this former teacher OF Mrs.
cleveland: but, though my friends we're
familiar with the institutions OF Buffalo
for many years past. none OF them could
recall Nine. Brecker and her kinder
garten.
Photographer McMichael. at No. 25s
Main street, showed me a picture OF Miss
Folsom as she appeared Immediately after
graduation at Wells College. He said:
1.-The day Miss Folsom came to have
her picture taken she was accompanied
by Charlie Townsend. Charlie was
great friend of hers, at that time. He
has since entered the ministry
WAS there not girhood engagement
between Miss Folsom and Charles Town
send?"
80 It is reported. I recall that Charlie
was quite attentive to her. He was her
escort the day she had that picture"
The picture shows Miss Folsom in the
conventional white garb OF a girl gradu-
ate. Otherwise there is nothing distin-
gushing The face is radiant
Mrs. William T. Coatsworth. who was
a college friend of Miss Folsom. told me
some stories of the c. Y. G. Cant You
Guess) Club, Of which Miss Folsom was
a member. II was a dancing club, with
q membership Of about thirty. Miss
Folsom was one Of the leading spirits.
'I remember that on one occasion Miss
Folsom took part In an authors carnival,
given in one of Buffalos public halls for
the benefit of charity" said Mrs. Coats
worth "She was dressed In a. costume
TO represent one OF Scott's characters,
but what the personation was has slipped
from my memory Miss Folsom won the
ar6
personal beauty or for picturesqueness
or effectiveness OF dress, / have forgotten.
The trophy was brooch OF unique de-
sign set with pretty Scottish stones"
I could not leave the city OF Miss Fol-
SONS glrlhood without paying my re-
spects to her distinguished and beautiful
mother. now Mrs. Henry e. Perrine, who
is living in mansion on aristocratc
Elmwood avenue.
Mrs. Perrine showed me some or her
dearest treasures souvenirs Of White
House days. of her estimable daughter
and of life in the social world I'm Wash
ington through the administration
both Mrs. Perrine and her daughter
adorned obtained Mrs. Perrine's per-
mission TO speak OF the pictures had
seen OF Mrs Cleveland. / was much in
terested In the mothers favorite portrait
OF her daughter which is accorded the
place of honor in The reception-room.
adjoining the library. The portrait Of
Mrs. Cleveland is an admirable water
color. and is framed in gilt open-work.
There were mary portraits OF Mrs.
Cleveland, a notable one being COM
posite effort. showing the faces Of Martha
Washington and Mrs. Perrine's daugh-
ter. There was also a picture Of Baby
Ruth. Mrs. Perrine is ardently devoted
10 her daughter. and surrounds herself |
with many souvenirs Of her.
From Buffalo l went to Aurora. II is |
me ideal place for a college. Miss Smith, |
head lady principal. showed me some |
I ictIres of Mrs. Cleveland. and expressed |
regret that she lad no other souvenirs. |
When the old buildings OF the college |
were destroyed by fire. the records per-
shed with them: Nothing pertaining TO |
Miss F'olsom's days had escaped the |
flames.
Miss Smith praised Miss Folsom
highly declaring that the now famous
student always took a great interest In
the school and was favorite with the
faculty. Since the fire Mrs Cleveland |
has interested herself in Wells College,
being active in securing I ew books for
the library.
Here in this beautiful spot Frances
Folsoms girlhood drew to it's close
While the years at Wells College were
passing she began her life romance.
destined to terminate in opportunities
leading 20 the White House. All during
her younger years Miss Folsom had |
known and respected Mr. Cleveland, first
as her fathers law partner. then as
her guardian on the sad and untimely
death of her father, Oscar Folsom. who
was thrown from buggy, in 1915, while
from a fishing trip at Black
Rock with Mr.. Cleveland. and instantly
killed.
Frances Folsom graduated from Wells
College in 1885, took a years trip abroad
In company with her mother. and re-
turned TO her native land TO become a
frequent visitor at the White House, |
under the chaperonage Of Mrs Folsom.
Fair Washington was flooded with JOY
and sunshine when. on June 2. 1856.
Frances Clara Folsom became the happy
wife OF Grover Cleveland
JOHN HERBERT GREUSEL.