The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1901-08-15

Great surprise was cccasioned among
such members of the smart SCI as happen
to be at home by the announcement OF
Miss Grace Clarkson's engagement and APP
preaching marriage 10 Lawrence Harper
Funk. one of Bloomington's best-known
and wealthiest young men.
The news. which Miss Garrison has care
fully guarded from even her most Intimate
friends, managed to leak out I'm Blooming
ton a day ago through the agency or sew
eral mischievous young men friends OF the
prospective bridegroom. to whom he con-
fided the news of his betrothal, inviting
them at the same time to ~ofiiciate In the
capacity of groomsmen on the wedding
date. which has been set for September 4.
The groomsmen were pledged to silence.
but, contrary to all precedent, were COM
pletely outdone In the matter of keeping
the secret by the bridesmaids. who. as far
as known. have carefully abstained from
so much as a whisper OF the interesting
news. The bridal party Is to be unusually
large, with fourteen men and maids. be-
sides the bride and bridegroom. and will be
quite an interstate affair. since Kentucky.
Illinois and Missouri are to have full repre-
sanitation.
There is no better known young woman
In st. Louis society than Miss Clarkson.
who Is the youngest daughter OF James
Livingston Garrison. and a sister OF w.
fdlIutI 1ldIhSOu anu IhIsSCl 49,
has been a belle in the fullest acceptation
of the term: and for the last three or four
years has had more devoted attentions from
q greater number OF SWANS than any
other girl in her set. Not only has she
been popular In her own town; but in Louis
Vile. where she frequently visits a sister.
and in Illinois where she has made one OF
more than a few merry house parties Is
she equally admired.
Her engagement Is the result or an
acquaintance formed at one Of Mrs. Jacob
Van Blarcom's famous Saturday night
hops, which fiourished for three seasons.
Mrs. De Mango. who Is a cousin OF MIS-
Van Blarcom. came over for a visit at the
Westmoreland place residence OF the van
Blarcoms, and at one OF the dances met
Miss GARRISON. Greatly taken with the St
Louis girls beauty and charm Of manner.
Mrs. DE Mango. who Is a woman OF much
social prominence in her city. invited her to
make one of a house party In bloomington
the following holiday week. telling her that
she would like to- have her lead a cotiiion
with a certain Mr.. Funk. in whom Bloom
ington society felt considerable pride. Miss
Ciarkson accepted the invitation. led the
cotillon with Mr.. Funk, and has remained
firmly established in his affections ever
since.
Last winter. shortly after Mrs. Clarkson'e
death. Miss GARRISON went to Denver. where
she has another married sister. She was
soon followed by the Bloomington gentle
man. who spent several months there. their
engagement resulting.
The wedding plans were made for a much
later date than September l. Indeed. the
bridemaids. who have been summering at
various resorts. were highly indignant to
be summoned home In osder to serve, as
they were quite prepared for a late autumn
event.. and had made no preparations what
ever for their gowns and wedding furbe-
lows. There will be no one singled out for
special prominence as maid OF honor. but
instead seven bridesmaids. who are Miss
Helen Funk OF bloomington. sister Of the
bridegroom: Miss Caroline Newman Of st.
Louis. who is now buying finery in Chicago
prior to the wedding: Miss Josephine
Thrailkill and Miss May Allen. both of St.
Louis; Miss Julia Hodge of Bloomington.