The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1894-12-28
MIDST A FOREST OF PALMS.
Brilliant Wedding Of Mss Ruth Stew
art and Mr.. William R. Leaken.

Elegant Reception at the Residence Of
the Brides Father-The Church and
House Prettily Decorated-Ths Popu-
larity Of Both Attested by the Pres
enee of Many Friends and Numerous
Handsome Presents.
No wedding that has taken place in Sa-
vannah has been the subject Of more
general and pleasant talk in society cir
cles than that OF Miss Ruth Stewart 10
Mr. William Ridgely Leaken. which took
place at the Independent Presbyterian
church last night at o'clock.
Many scores would not number the
friends Of the popular bride and we'll
known groom with whom the church was
crowded long before the hour for the
ceremony. Many gathered at the church
TO catch a glimpse Of them, some who,
though they could only stand with the
crowd upon the church steps and side
walk, were drawn to see a bride and
groom. both of whom are always so
pleasantly spoken Of by so many sa-
vannahians who know them, and by
many who know of them from what they
have heard from others. Almost every
seat in the church was occupied; the gal
leries were overlooking, and many stood
in the side aisles.
The front pews were reserved for the
family and intimate friends of the bride
and groom. In the first pew, a pleasant
compliment TO the esteem in which she
was held. were the members Of Miss
~
all dressed in white. The second pew
was reserved for the eight ushers. four
sitting on each side and just behind these
were the members of the two families.
among them Mr.. and Mrs. NJ. M. Stew
art. Mrs. John II. Reid Miss
Ruthie Reid, Miss Maddie Reid. Maj. +.
W. Reid, Mrs. Albert Leaken Sioussat
and Mr.. Carl Sioussat.
The church decorations around the pull
pit were simple, but elegant, consisting
Of a pretty and tasty arrangement of
spreading palms. a symbol of the dura-
ton and perpetuity of the sentiments
which enter into such joyous yet solemn
occasions.
The bridal party arrived promptly at
o'clock and entered the broad center
aisle to sweet strains of Wagner's We'd
ding March played by Mrs. Harrison.
First were the ushers, Messrs. Edward
Houston Demere and Hammond ]. Read
Schley, Messrs. John r. Young and Wal
ter S. Chisholm and DR.. L. f. Welch and
Mr.. J. X. Clarke Jr., of Darien. After
these came the maid of honor Miss Nan
Stewart, who wore pink silk crepe and
carried a handsome bouquet of white ne
photos rose buds.
All eyes were turned on the bride, who
entered with her father Mai. James 7.
( Stewart. She was attired in a simple
| but becoming and elegant gown of white
brocaded satin, trimmed with round point
/ lace, and tulle veil with orange blossoms
She carried an elegant bouquet of white
/ hyacinths. 5
/ At the head of the aisle the ushers
/ separated and the maid of honor and
! the bride and her father passed up be-
/ fore the altar railing, where they were
met by the groom with his best man.
/ Capt. Thomas Screven. The bride and
/ groom stood before the altar railing,
/ where the beautiful and solemn ceremony
/ of the Presbyterian church was per-
formed by Rev. ]. F. Dripps, d. D., as
sisted by Rev. George A. Leaken, D. D.,
father of the groom. DR.. Dripps wore
/ the Presbyterian vestments, consisting
! of the black gown, and DR.. Leaken those
/ of the Episcopal church, the surplice
and white stole. After the ceremony
/ the benediction of the Episcopal mar
/ riage service was pronounced by DR.. Lea
/ ken. Mrs. Harrison played march from
Mendelsshon as the bridal party left
the church.
The residence of the brides father, No.
6s South Broad street, where the recep-
ton was held between 7:30 and O'clock
was handsomely decorated with holly,
bamboo, and palms. The beauty of Sa-
vannah was assembled in a bower of
| evergreens. The bride and groom stand
ing under an arch formed by two spread
ing palms, from the center of which
| hung a sprig of mistletoe, received the
| warm congratulations of their many
/ friends who called during the evening
Both have received congratulations also
from many sources, both by letter and
by wire.
Not only the large attendance at the
church and at the reception, but the
many handsome and elegant presents re-
ceived here and from other places, at
tested the high esteem in which both the
bride and groom are held They were
admired by every one who saw them
and many said they had never seen more
numerous and handsome wedding gifts
Among the intimate friends of the
t.tde who came to Savannah to attend
the wedding were Me- ana Mrs A. c.
Reid of Charleston, Mr.. ana nrs. w. K.
Beard of New York. Mrs. w. H. Cozart
of Augusta, Miss Georgia McAlpin Of
New York. Mrs. Edwin P. Frost of
Charleston, Mrs. j. X. Clarke Mr.. John
Clarke, Mr.. ]. X. Clarke Jr of Darien
and Miss Knox of New York
Rev George A. Leaken. father OF the
groom, and his sister. Mrs. A L. Sious-
sat, with her son. Carl Sioussat came
down from Lake Roland, near Baltimore
to be present at the ceremony and re-
ception. They are stopping at the De
I Soto.
Mr.. and Mrs. Leaken left the citv
last night on the 10 80 train on the Charles
ton and Savannah railroad for Baltimore
/ Washington and New York In Wash
inton they will stop at the Arlington. in
Baltimore at the Renert and in New
! York at the Waldorf. They will be ten
+ dered receptions by friends both in Bal
timore and New York. After spending
/ two weeks or more in the north they will
return TO the city and will reside at No.
+ Sc South Broad street. corner of Abercorn.
The bride is the charming daughter of
! Mai. James T. Stewart, beloved and es-
/ teemed by all who know her. and admired
\ by many who have not the pleasure of
/ her acquaintance. 1t can truly be said
1 that her wide popularity is deserved, for
I with pleasing confidence in the sincerity
/ of human nature, she possesses just those
/ faculties which make true and lasting
HN.