Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-06-23
MEATH FLORAL ARCH
A BRILLIANT MARRIAGE At NEW
PORT NEWS.
Miss Elizabeth SouthnlI Clarke BE-
comes the bride Of Mr.. Douglas III.
Gordon, of BaItimorc-The DecOr"-
tiOns-The Presents.

charming beauties. TO Mr.. Douglas IL.
Gordon. the principal owner OF the BAL
timore News. which was solemnized AT
st. Paul's Episcopal church at ':So
o'clock. Not only were leaders OF so
cety in this city interested In the nup-
tial event, but society OF the State at
large felt kindly interest in 1t, as the
bride is known throughout the South and
East. having been the first young lady
to act as sponsor for the Mother State
at n reunion of the men who wore the
gray. Baltlmoreans had a common in
terest in the brilliant affair. because one
OF their most popular clubmen was a
principal
The church was superbly decked with
white blossoms and green, and at the
altar two stately and graceful palms
on pedestals formed an arch, under
which the nup,ial vows were spoken.
The pews in the middle aisle were deco
rated with hydrangeas. and the reserved
portion of the edifce was marked by
white satin ribbon. Thus the solemnity
and simplicity of the church was con-
verted into a palace Of Edenic beauty
and charm.
THE MUSIC.
At the opening notes of the bridal
choral from Lohcngrin. played by the
United States Post Band from Fort
Monroe. assisted by Professor Rath-
borne, organist, Of this city, the bridal
party entered the church, the ushers-
Mr.. De Courcey Thorn, Of Baltimore.
and Mr.. Irwin Tucker. of this city--lead-
ing the way Then came the maid Of
| honor, Miss Sallie Clarke sister of the
bride. who was costumed in white MORE
silk and a pulled waist of mousseline
de sole. with lace trimmings. and car
ried white leather book. containing the
| marriage vows. She was followed by the
! bride. robed in a costume Of ivory satin.
over accordion plated tulle, with a long
tulle veil, and carrying a cluster Of
| lilies of the valley. The bride never
looked more charming. The only article
of iewelry she wore was a diamond
necklace. the gift of the groom. which
contained five brilliant stones. set in sun
burst style.
The groom and his best man. Mr.. Eu-
gene Masse, of Richmond. and the rib
bon-girls Miss Emma Gildersleeve
Bruce, of this city, and Miss Elizabeth
Wake Brander, of Rchmond-clad in
white organdie, over white silk. and
carrying punches of Catharine Demer-
mat roses. entered from the vestry-room
and met the bride at the altar.
OH PROMISE Me.
While the ceremony was being per-
formed by the rector. Rev. j. Francis
Ribble, the band played ooh! Promise
Me" and when the benediction was
pronounced the band glided into the
| march from Tannahauser, and the party.
led by the bride and groom, proceeded
down the centre aisle.
The wedding was followed by a recep-
ton, which was given at the residence of
the brides father. on Twenty-seventh
street between West and Washington
avenues. The house was prettily deco
rated with pains. ferns. smilax. and lilies
of the valley. Here ii was that the haps
py couple received the congratulations
of friends and relatives. while the post
band discouTsed sweet music. AT
o'clock lunch was served to the bridal
party and immediate friends and rela-
tives. Among the guests present were:
Mr.. and Mrs. j. Il. Clarke. of Birming-
| ham, Ala: Mrs. |. J. Young, Of North
Caroiina Lieutenant and Mrs. John Q.
Lowell. United States navy; Mr.. and
Mrs. ]. Triplett Haxall. of Baltimore;
Mrs. George Pickett, Of Washington, d.
of Charles City; Mr.. James Lindsey
Gordon. of New York; Major and Mrs.
Thomas A. Brander. OF Richmond; Mrs.
William Taliaferro. of Richmond; Mrs. c.
| L. Kennedy and daughter, Miss Gwen
! doyn, of Washington; Mrs. Austin Brock
| enbrough, of Richmond: Colonel and Mrs.
William Marye. United States army. Fort
Monroe; Mr.. and Mrs. Walter Upshur,
Mr.. Turner Battle Mr.. William Shield,
and Mr.. Hugh Henry, of Norfolk and Mr..
| c. c. Walker, OF Richmond. assistant
superintendent of the Chesapeake and
Ohio Railway Company.
THE BRIDAL TOUR.
At $50 o'clock Mr.. and Mrs. Gordon
| left in a private conveyance for Old Point
Comfort, where, an hour later. they took
| passage on a steamer for an extensive
| northern tour including Canadian points
of interest Returning. they will take NJ
! their residence for the summer at Mr.
| Gordon's cottage at Atlantic City. They
will make their winter home in Balti-
| more.
The couple were the recipients OF many
costly and handsome gifts, including a
duplicate Of the silver service which has
been in the Gordon family for generations
| past the present of Hon. Basil B. Gordon
of Rappahannock county, Va.
/ Ever since she made her debut, five sea-
| sons ago. the bride has been a favorite
| i'm social circles. She is a stately blonde
with golden hair and soft blue eyes. HeI
| easy grace. charming manners. and cul-
| ture have won her a large circle OF adj
miring friends. Three years ago she was
| chosen sponsor for Virginia at the reunion
| of Confederate Veterans which was held
at Birmingham, Ala, and ever since she
has been known throughout the South
and East. This was the first honor OF
| its kind ever conferred on a Virginia
| lady. She Is the second daughter OF
| Mr.. and Mrs. John Eldridge Clarke, oil
this city. :.
Mr.. Douglas II. Gordon. the groom. Is
secretary and treasurer of the Baltimore
| News. He comes from one OF the best
known families of the South, and is
brother of Hon. Basil Il. Gordon, OF Rap
pahannock county. Va, who was NJ one
time the State chairman of the Demo
cratic party. He met his bride two years
ago while sojourning at Old Point Com
| fort.
Many kilograms and cablegrams OF con-
| ordinations from friends living in diff
| ferent parts of the world were received.