The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1901-02-25
DEPEw CALLS OFF WEDDING.
Senator SummariIy Annuls Edie-
PauIdinG Engagement.
From the Chicago Chronicle.

From the Chicago Chronicle.
Washington, Feb. 20.-Washington so
ciety was dumfounded this afternoon
when Senator Chauncey NJ. Depew caus-
ed public announcement to be made
that the engagement of his niece, Miss
Anne Depew Pauldng, and Lieut.. John
Rufus Edie OF the United States navy
had been broken of. Senator Depew in
making the announcement used the word
"annulled." Society was startled chiefly
because not a breath of the action taken
by Senator Depew was known in adj
vance to even the most intimate friends
OF Miss Paulding.
Everybody had supposed that prepare
tions for the wedding. which was to be
celebrated on April Il at fashionable st.
Johns Church, were going forward with
all dispatch. The house at Nineteenth
and N streets. which Senator Depew pur-
chased at a cost of $1,000, and in fur
nishing and improving which he spent
S7t,0 more. had been in the hands Of car
penters, house furnishers and servants
for two weeks in anticipation of Lieut..
Edie and his bride taking possession after
the wedding. This house was Senator
Depew's gift to his niece 1t is Understood
tonight that he had also settled upon
her modest fortune sufficient to yield
an income that would meet all her wants.
Miss Pauldlng had no fortune in her
own right. She has been the chatelaine
of Senator Depew's household since he
came to Washington year ago last De
cemDer. She met Lieut.. Edie in this city
The lieutenants attentions soon became
very marked and attracted the notice of
mutual friends. Their approaching we'd
ding was announced in the most informal
manner at a dinner which Senator Depew
gave In honor of Lieut. Gov. and Mrs.
Woodruff of New York on Dec. Is last
The Senator made an unusually felici-
tous speech in congratulating Lieut. Edie
and Miss Paulding. He declared that
theirs was an attachment born of pure
affection, and he added that in this sordid
age it is gratifying to know that true
love was still powerful enough to link
hearts in life. He said that no material
interest had impelled these two to join
their fates and that no material interests
could affect their future. After that an
nouncement, which quickly came into the
possession of fashionable Washington,
Lieut.. Edie's attentions to Miss Paulding
became more marked. 1t is now recalled
that he visited the Corcoran mansion.
where Senator Depew lives, at least once
every day.
Senator Depew caused to be issued
cards announcing the wedding in April
and this was taken to mean that 1t was
his desire 10 have it irrevocably fixed that
the event would take place. Miss Pauid-
ing ordered her trousseau from Paris
and it is due to arrive at New York on
Feb. %.
1t was a gown of silver cloth OF fash
ionable fabric and understood to be one
of the moet beautiful creations ever
brought from the French capital. Miss
Paulding went even further in her prep
arations. She had her monogram as Mrs.
Edie worked into her household linen
and burned into the china and engraved
upon cutlery. Washington society, know
ing what was going forward was pre-
pared to witness the most gorgeous and
interesting wedding of the season.
Nobody except DR.. Depew, Lieut.. Ede
and Miss Paulding appears to know why
the announcement annulling the wedding
was issued this afternoon, and neither
of these three is prepared to enngnten
society by explaining the mystery. Miss
Paulding is so i'll that she has to remain
in her room and Lieut. Edie is at her
home. where he declines to see anybody.
Senator Depew says that he has no ex-
PLANTATION to make further than that con-
tanned in the simple announcements tnat
the engagement has been annulled. On
his desk tonight piled in rows were the
blank wedding cards which were to have
been issued and distributed tomorrow.
They were delivered TO the senator last
evening.
All that is known about the matter is
that Senator Depew suddenly quit the
home of Mrs. L. S. Grant, where he was
guest at dinner last night, and was
driven hurrledly to his own home. He
sent a note 10 DR.. Hill, assistant secre-
tary of state, who was giving costume
ball to which the Senator had been inVit-
ed, expressing regret because he coul1
not attend. Lieut.. Edie was to have been
at DIR. Hills bah. He failed to send re-
grets.
This afternoon. about 2 o'clock. Lieut..
Edie called at the Corcoran mansion and
had an interview with DR.. Depew. 1t
lasted about an hour and half. At 4
o'clock DR. Depew sent a note to the To-
cal newspapers withdrawing descriptions
of Miss Paulding's wedding gowns. which
were TO be published next Sunday. A
little while later friend of Miss Pauld-
ing called at the same newspaper offices
and delivered notes in DR.. Depews hand
writing announcing that the engagement
had been annuled. Not even Miss Pauld-
ing's most intimate friends appear to be
able to advance an explanation of the
afternoons events. All sorts of conjec-
lures are being INDUCED in. but these
must be dismissed as idle until the real
facts are made public.
Lieut.. Edie is 80 years old. He was
appointed to the Naval Academy i'm 1886
by President Cleveland He served with
distinction in the Spanish war and re-
ceived promotion for gallantry and is now
connected with the photographic office
His father, Col. John r. Edie. fell with
Custer. Miss Pauding is older than
Lieut.. Edie. Her age is variously esti-
mated at from So to a. She is quite
plain. but is a charming, refined woman.
who has made many friends at the capt.
tai. Her mother was Dr. Depew's sis
ter.