Evening journal., 1896-12-19
MISS DRAKE MARRIAGE
The Only Daughter of Iowa's
Governor Weds Quietly.
BE WANTED A BRILLIANT MATCH,

The Young Woman. However, Wanted to
Marry the Lover of Her School Days aud
Outwitted the Governor-The ForEiving
Father Invites Them Home.
DENVER, Dec 19.-Society of Denver is
astonished by the announcement of the
Soarriage of Miss Mary Lord Drake, daugh-
~ of the governor of Iowa. ard George
Wood Sturdivant OF Centorville. la. The
ceremony was performed ty the Rev. DR..
Cobern of the trinity Methodist church of
this city on Oct. 2S last and was kept Sc
eret until the cards were received yester-
day by she many friends Of the young
woman "a this city. Even the chief magis-
trate OF the state Of Iowa was not let into
the secret until two weeks ago.
Miss Drake has been making a long So
journ in Colorado as the guest of her inti-
mate friend Miss Carpenter, who is a
cousin of the bridegroom The TWO passed
rheir time at the fashionable resorts Of
Colorado during the summer, and after the
season had closed they went TO live at the
Antlers' hotel in Colorado Springs. Young
Sturdivant had business in Colorado early
this fall and he was attentive to the young
woman. After the marriage It was decided
not to let the governor know about it un-
til tho party returned to Iowa, but the
plan was disarranged- But a few days aft
or the marriage Mrs. Sturdivant was taken
suddenly i'll with acute pneumonia, ana
DIR. j. Nicon Nroom was called in Know
ing the serious consequences OF this dis
ease to persons unaccustomed to the Colo
RADIO climate, the doctor thought it wise to
notify Governor Drake at once Of his
4 g Il 10 al lpuffnp1
of the narriage with Sturdiyant and the
anxiety OF the young people to keep it Sc
cret
The Governor Was Surprised.
Governor Drake arrived in two or three
days, but was entirely unaware of the
marriage Realizing that Mrs. Sturdivant
was in a serious condition, Or. Vroom
took the matter in his own hands and told
the governor the facts. The surprise OF
the governor was complete. At first he
absolutely refused to believe the doctor s
story, but when he saw the marriage Ger
tifclte he was obliged to admit that he
had been outwitted.
He decided that there was but one thing
to do, and that was to announce to the
world as soon as his daughters health
improved, the news of the marriage. He
prepared a list Of several hundred persons
TO whom the cards should be sent and
then remained by the side of his daughter
until assured that her recovery was Ger
taiP
Mrs. Sturdivant rallied rapidly and was
soon out of danger On last Tuesday GOV
ernor Drake returned to Iowa, and the
day after was followed by Mr.. Sturdivant,
who was obliged to return on account OF
business engagements. Miss Carpenter
and Mrs. Sturdiyant received the wedding
announcement cards, and these viii be
mailed Immediately. 1t is said that the op
position Of Governor Drake to the match
was not on account of personal objection.
to Mr. Sturdivant but simply to ambi
uou lor as Drililanu "a match lOasibi'
for his only daughter.
Mr.. Sturdiavnt is well known in Cen
terville, although he is not wealthy Il,
Is "a years old. 1t Is understood he will
establish a bank in Centeryille, being as
sisted in his enterprise by Governor Drake
who has become entirely reconciled to the
match
Miss Drake will be rememberec as the
young woman who christened the United
states hattleship Iowa.
The governor has written to his daugh
ter and son-in-law, asking them to ioiI
the family circle at the Christmas reunion
at Dos Moines