The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-01-19
BAN AGAINST WETMORES.
Young ~Secretary's Mother Once
the Present King.

Washington Letter In PhlladeIpnld RECORD.
The Presidents appointment of Will
liam S. Keteltas Wetmore, eldest son
Of George Peabody Wetmore, United
States senator from Rhode Island,
to be special secretary of the en-
bassy to represent the United States at the
coronation of King Edward VII Of Eng
land, has caused a sensation at the British
embassy and generally among diplomatic
and official circles in Washington.
About thirteen years ago, on Oct. 13, 1888,
his royal highness, Albert Edward, Prince
of Wales, now King of Great Britain and
Ireland and Emperor of India, issued ex-
plicit orders to his equerry. Typwhit Will
son, to remember the name of Wetmore,
adding that no Wetmore should ever be
presented at court.
Don't forget this name-Wetmore, Wet
more, Wetmore! And tell Teesdale. Cum
and also the court chamberlain, that a
Wetmore shall never be received at court.
Never, never!' said Albert Edward at that
time.
Mrs. George Peabody Wetmore, then the
most beautiful married woman in Homburg,
had CURLY declined 10 meet his royal high
ness. Hence his Indignation and his ban
against all m
''Win Willie Wetmore be turned down by
the King?"
That was the question asked a hundred
times here in clubdom to-day. Some held
that his Majesty would graciously con-
descend to forget what happened so many
years ago. Others thought that perhaps
the senator's son would find himself too
busy to accept President Roosevelt's ap-
pointment.
Mrs. Wetmore, mother of the young man
in question, was beautiful Edith Keteltas,
heiress to a fortune and one of the bellies
of New York three decades ago. She lost
none of her girlish beauty in the lapse of
years, and when she went to Europe she
was remarked mon as chat SlInnrh Amari-
can"
1t CHANGED that she and her husband,
then eX-Governor Wetmore, of Rhode
Island, were at Homburg when the Prince
of Wales was there in 1888. His gaze fell on
the beautiful American matrOn. He made
ii known to his equerries that it was his
pleasure to meet the fair foreigner.
1t had never occurred TO the prince for
a moment that Mrs. Wetmore would OBJ
ject. Englishmen by the score who had
not the honor of the princes acquaintance
had long before showed that they felt
complimented by any attention he might
pay their wives. Naturally the prince felt
that Americans would feel equally h0nOred.
Not so Mrs. Wetmore.
But young Wilson, the equerry, didn't
know that. He was sent to bring Mrs.
Wetmore and he went. He was properly
introduced, and then smiIingly said that
his royal highness, the Prince Of Wales,
desired to make Mrs. Wetmore's acquaint-
ance.
History does not record the exact answer
which young Wilson bore to his royal
master.
His royal highness turned to Mrs. James
Brown Potter, who was at Homburg, too.
Being then a member of New York's 400
Mrs. Potter knew Mrs. Wetmore.
"Oh. I'll fix it," she said TO the prince.
So she wrote this note and had her maid
take it right away to Mrs. Wetmore's hotel:
My Dear Mrs. Wetmore:
His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales
would be glad TO have the pleasure of your
company at luncheon at Ritter's to-day.
If you will come for me at quarter TO one
we will go around together. Yours cordial
ly, CORA URQUHART POTTER.
Mrs. Wetmore's reply was:
NV Dear Mrs. Potter:
l cannot accept the invitation of H. R. H.
the Prince of Wales to luncheon, as con-
veyed through you. Yours truly,
EDITH K. WETMORE.
The next time she saw Mrs. Potter Mrs.
Wetmore also took occasion to remark that
she wasn't in the habit of meeting gentle
men outside her own house, except in COM
pany with Mr.. Wetmore. The prince was
furious. II was then that he issued his
American Wetmores-from his sight and
presence.
A companion story to the Wetmore snub
is recalled. On the day before Mrs. Wet
more's assertion OF her dignity, Mrs. Mary
E. Audenried and her s-ixteen-year-old
daughter, Miss Florence, now the Countess
Divonne, of Paris, were members of the
American colony at Homburg. Several DAYS
previous TO the Wetmore incident the Prince
or wales singled out Miss Florence as the
object of marked attention. Upon the
promenades and at the races, theaters and
balls he sought the company OF this young
girl. to the agitation of her friends and
relatives.
Upon the night that Mrs. Wetmore sum-
marily ave him his congo the Prince of
Wales invited Miss Audenried to the royal
box at the races. Among other things, ne
personally gave the young girl an invita-
ton TO a fete he had planned for a few days
later. The American damsel rose to the
occasion, and, while thanking his royal
highness for the honor, regretted that II
was impossible TO accept his kindness as
she would leave Homburg with her mother
the next morning. The prince was aston
ished and inquired the reason.
Il think, your highness," replied Miss
Audenried. that mamma is taking me
away because / met YOU"
The Prince of Wales once sent a mes
sage to Mary Anderson that he would call
upon her at a certain time. and the Amer
lean actress sent him a reply that she would
be delighted 10 receive him, provided he was
accompanied by his royal consort. The
Princess OF Wales herself was so struck
by the dignity of Mary Anderson under this
trial that she called upon the actress her
self, with her daughters. although the
prince did not accompany the party.
Information.