Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1896-04-09

New York, April 6-Perhaps as siinpl
a wedding was ever witnessed within
the sacred walls of st. Thomas churcl
was soemnized at $50 o'clock this even
ing. when Benjamin Harrison, 23d presi
dent of the United States, entered into
the holy bonds of wedlock with Mrs. MARY
Scott Lord Dimmick. Not one of the 81
favored witnesses of the ceremony coult
have failed to be impressed with it's sin
gular unpretentiousness. Gen. Harrison /!
plain man: Mrs, Dimmick is plain wo
man. 1t was fitting, therefore, that ir
celebrating an event so important as mat
rimony. 1t should be characterized with
the everyday simplicity of their lives
Both declared that this was a private af.
fair of their own, and they set about and
conducted it as best suited their tastes.
The assembled crowd outside the church
showed the interest the public had In the
AFFAIR. Secrecy as TO the exact hour OF
the ceremony had been carefully maintain
eC. which, in a measure served to check
the asscmblage of q curious throng, Then
too, the weather was not inviting.
Easter sunshine had given way to dark
and ominous clouds. The morning was
ushered In with q heavy snow storm which
later turned into rain. The rain ceased
about noon. but the day continued cloudy
and threatening. The crowds about the
church were not of the clty's fashionabes,
and elbowed one another in their earnest
endeavor to catch a glimpse of the bride
and groom and the statesmen who had the
honor to be included in the small coterie of
invited guests.
The guests began to arrive at the church
shortly before o'clock AS they entered
they were received by the two ushers, the
youthful looking private secretary of the
ex-president e. F. Tibbett, and the sold
ierly Daniel NJ Ransdell, hero of the
civil war, whose armless coat is a remind
er Of CALAMITY fought battle. The ushers
wore the conventional frock coats, dark
trousers, buttonniers of white violets, and
white gloves. Mrs. John r. Parker, the
BRIDES sister, occupied front pew on the
left and Mr. and Mrs. Pinchot the one on
the right. Behind Mrs. Parker sat Gov.
Merton and Col. Marvin, his military Sec
rotary. In the succeeding pews were Sem
ator and Mrs. Stephen B. Elkins, ex-secre-
tary of State John W. Foster and Mrs.
Foster, ex-Attorney General w. H. H.
Miller and Mrs. Miller and George W.
Boyd of the Pennsylvania railroad.
In pews back OF Mr.. and Mrs. Pinchot
sat relatives and friends of the bride. They
were Major and Mrs. Richard Parker,
chancellor and Mrs. McGill. the Misses
Dimmick and Mrs. Briggs; Mr.. and Mrs.
Leeds, Norman Leeds and the Misses
Leeds; Mr.. and Mrs Broughton and Miss
Lambert; Gen. and Mrs. Fitzjohn Porter,
anu lIe 4hlSSeS fOTleT.
In all 80 people were present including
the United Press representative. Admis-
sion was by cards written and signed by
Mr.. Tibbett. Every precaution was taken
to prevent intrusion.
The living members of Gen. Harrsons
cabinet not present were ex-Postmaster
General Wanamaker, eX-Secretary of the
Treasury Charles Foster, ex-Secretary
OF War Redfeld Proctor and ex-Secretary
of the Interior John w. Noble, all of whom
were unavoidably prevented from witness
Ing the ceremony.
The gathering OF tho select few was
without incident. With two or three ex-
ceptons the costumes Of the women were
subdued in color, and there was little In
the scene suggestive of the usual distr-
guished metropolitan church wedding.
Prof William w. Warren. the church
organist. rendered few preliminary Sc
lections while the guests were awaiting
the coming of the bridal party.
1t was just o'clock when Gen. Harri-
son and Gen. Benjamin r. Tracy, his best
man. entered n carriage at the Fifth Ave
nue. Hotel and started for the church,
where they arrived at 500 o'clock. They
entered through tho rector's residence on
SD street, and went directly to the vcstry
where they awaited the arrival OF the
bride. Gen. Harrison wore n long ;rocll
coat, dark trousers and white gloves. In
the lapel or his coat was n buttonniere Of
lilies Of the valley Gen. Tracy wore
frock coat and stripped trousers, and II
small bouquet OF white v!olctS
ARRIVAL OF THE BRIDE
At 5:E o'clock Mrs. Dimm!ck and her
brother-in-law. Lieut.. John f. Parker,
u. S. NJ, wore driven from their residence
at No. 10 East SSth street, and reached tho
church at Sis O'Clock. They entered by
the main door on Fifth avenue, and went
10 the Tower room, to tho left of the YES
ubule, where their wraps and coats were
discarded. 1t WAS $3.50 O'Clock VIXEN the
two large doors Leading to tho centre
aisle were thrown aside and tho ushcrs,
side by side. stood in the passagcway. At
tho same moment Rev. DR.. J. Wesley
Brown, the officiating clergyman, robed
In white cassock, appeared from the
ves'ry. The clergyman passed In behind
the sanctuary rail and knelt in prayer n
few moments and then the ever popular
stroins of "Lohergrin's" burst forth and
rc-cchoed back from tho empty stalls
with double volume. Then the door lead
inG 20 the vcstry on tho left OF the altar
opened and the silvery locks of Generals
Harrison and Tracy were seen. There
was m awkward pause for a minute. and
tho essomblago looked first n. the altar
and then at the rear entrance. Finally.
the bride appeared and fell In behind the
ushors. At the same moment the minister
nodded his head. signalling The groom 20
step Forward.
Gen. Harrison and his best man Mt once
came forward and stood upon tho top
chanccl step Tho left hand of the gem
eral wss barred and he carried in his
right the left hand glove. Immediately
tho bridal procession was begun. Tho
two usherS walked we'll forward and took
position or III second cnancel step.
Tho bride. leaning upon the arm of her
bro.her-in-law, Lieut. Parker, with head
erect and thoroughly sslf-composed, fol-
lowed. Mrs. D!mmick carried no bou-
quot. but instead carried handsome
white prayer book, with golden cross on
tho cSVNr.
As GREEN As A YOUNG COUPLE.
AS the bridal party approached tho chan
Gel, Con. Harrison camo down tho steps
10 tho floor 10 receive his bride. She cx-
tended her hight hand. which the groom
clasped In his left. Then tho couple march
ed UP the steps 10 the .~nter of the altar
where thcy knelt q msr,ent IN prayer
0ssa. Tracy and Lieut.. Parker followed.
the fsrmsr standing to the right of .he
Er6en and tho lieutenant to the left of
tho bride. 1t WIS pretty picture. beau
, ticul In Its simplicity.
H. -