Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1896-10-09
Higgins-J johnson.

The event OF the opening fashionable so
cial season in Portsmouth occurred at the
residence on Middle street of Capt Morti.
mer L. johnson, U s. N, on Thursday even
ing, October LIST, 1896, at o'clock, the occa-
sion being the marriage of his eldest daugh-
Yer, Miss Alice Preston johnson, and Passed
Assistant Engineer Robert Barnard Hig.
gins, U. 8. N, who is attached to the U. S.
Battleship Texas.
The residence was in magnificent floral
ana Verdure array, while the spacious con-
Meeting piazza decked in Persian style was
thrown into the drawing room and parlor,
the decorative combination forming re.
markably elegant scene.
Music Hall full orchestra was stationed in
the upper hall and discoursed choice selec.
lions during the assemblage of the large and
fashionable company.
The marriage was solemnizod in the draw
iDg-room before an altar composed of solid
mass of rarest white and green, and lighted
by superb candelabra, while at each cor
ner were large jardinieres filed with the
coral products Of the barberry.. On the
window cornices were huge bouquets OF
choicest bloom, these being captured by
bows of white. The entire decorative con-
ceptions in this apartment were very ele-
giant and instantly impressive.
The bridal party was preceded by two
cousins OF the bride, William Peabody
Preston, aged five years, who was in white
suit, black silk stockings and pumps, and
Elizabeth White Preston, aged four years,
arraYed in white silk and tulle, these little
ones holding the ends of streamers OF white
ribbons.
The following six young ladies were the
bearers and holders of these ribbons which
were unroled and formed the bridal aisle
as the wedding party advanced to the altar:
Miss Frances Boardman Stavers, of Ports
mouth, in white organdie over pink silk,
Miss Sophia Cropey Higgins, of Rockville,
MARYLAND, sister Of the groom, in embroidered
white crepe with yellow satin and lace trim
mings Miss Josephine Mortimer Carpen.
ter, daughter ol Rear Admiral @. 9. Car.
penter, 5. N, retired, of this city, in Law
ender satin. Miss Anna Aldrich Tracey,
Medford, Mass, in green silk, white chiffon
trimmed. Miss Josephine Bachelor, of
Little Bears Head, North Hampton, in
pink silk Miss Alice Parker Shines, OF this
city, in lavender silk, white chiffon over
dress, and trimmings of white satin ribbon.
The bridesmaids were her sisters, Miss
Bessie Chandler Johnson and Miss Maria
Salter johnson, each gowned in tea rose
satin with the waist garnitured in white
tullC IIhCu ChlilCu iooCos
The maid OF honor was Miss Sallie Nata-
lie Jenness of New York, who was arrayed
in yellow satin. Her bouquet was of Cath
crime Mermet roses.
The ushers were: Lieutenant Marbury
Johnston and Ensign j V. Chase, U. s. N,
at present attached TO the Naval War col
lege, Newport.
The bride was met at the altar by the
groom, who was attended by Naval Con
structor Lloyd Bankson, of New York, as
groomsman.
This entire party took position on a broad
dals which was superby decorated, and
there the VOWS were pledged. The scene
was one of rarest beauty and cannot soon
be forgotten by the host OF witnesses.
The bride wore an elegant creation in
heavy white satin, court train, waist adorned
with exquisite point lace, while the veil was
OF vapory tulle. The bouquet, lilies-ot-the
valley.
In the absence of her father, who is the
commander of the u s. s. Cincinnati, which
vessel sailed for the Mediterranean few
days since, the bride was escorted in the
wedding procession to the altar and also
given away by her mother, who WAS at
tired in white brocaded satin with green
velvet sleeves and girdle, white Duchesse
fichu.
The ceremony was performed by Rev.
Alfred Gooding, pastor OF the South (Unita'
rian) church, double rings beings used there
in for sealing the vows.
At the conclusion of the impressive ser
vice the bridal procession proceeded to the
parlor, where the reception took place, the
bride and groom occupying q commanding
station in superb pink alcove and having
an apartment framework in which an
abundance of holly and saliva. reigned.
At the close of this brilliant function the
bridal procession repaired to the white
room, and there took seats at richly deco
rated tables, the bride cutting the wedding
cake and the slice containing the ring fell
to Miss Anna Aldrch Tracy, one the OF
bridesmaids
Mr.. Higgins and his bride departed on the
Pullman train eastward on their wedding
trip, and at its conclusion the groom will
resume his official duties on the Texas.
The wedding gifts were almost innumera-
BILE and as rich and varied as they were
costly and rare Embraced therein were
many importations. Specially notable in
the general display was a silver cake basket
in fiigree, the tribute TO the happy event
by the wardroom officers attached 10 the U.
S. s. Cincinnati a case OF silver, holding
massive salad spoon and fork and fish knife
and fork, sent BY the wardroom officers oil
the U. s. S. Texas, and silver chatting dish
from the junior officers of the Texas.
The brides favors to her maid Of honor,
bridesmaids and two little cousins were
chaste souvenir pins, while the favors pre-
scented by the groom TO the groomsman and
ushers were scarf pins OF pearls. All these
were worn by their recipients.
The assembage present on this notable &C.
cason embraced society people from Ports.
mouth and many other cities; large naval
contingent; indeed nearly every profession
had notable representatives.
The bridal event concluded with festival
dances, and seldom has q welded couple
left old Strawberry Bank who were fol.
lowed with richer gamours than are Passed
Assistant Engineer and Mrs. Higgins
Portsmouth, IN. H. Daily Chronicle.