The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1902-02-06
A STATELY WEDDING
Whitney-Hay Nuptials Attended by
Highest Officials.
GREAT PoMP AND CIRCUMSTANCES
Family Mourning Laid Aside-Bride.
sroOm's Father Brings Party of
Distinguished Friends

Washington, Feb. 6.-Helen Hay, eldest
daughter of Secretary of State John Hay,
and Payne Whitney of New York, son of
ex-secretary of the Navy Whitney, were
married to-day at noon at the Church of
the Covenant
The Wedding was the most notable So
clal event of the season in Washington,
being celebrated by the presence of the
highest officials in the land, including the
president and his cabinet and of what is
recognized as the best Of New York and
New England society. The Hay family
has been in mourning since the death of
Adelbert Hay, but for this day the mourn
ing was put aside and the wedding was
celebrated with all the pomp and circum-
stance that would have characterized. it
otherwise The groom's father came to
Washington with a party of distinguished
friends, including Sir Edward Colebrook,
c. IT, Barney, Miss Barney and Mr.. and
Mrs. Gerald Paget, while the bridegroom
had gathered about him at the Arlington,
large number of his college chums and
friends Presents almost without number
have been pouring in to the Hay home for
the last fortnight. They include houses
and lands, a yacht, jewels and articles Of
art. ~NE5
The church where the ceremony was
performed was deliberately decorated with
flowers and greens.
Back of the pulpit and before the organ,
tall, graceful palms formed great bower
Of dark green, and beneath, great sprays
of Easter lilies trailed to the ground A
candelabra, twice as tall as man, stood
at either corner of the pulpit platform,
each bearing twelve lights. Down the
center aisle was a beautiful bridal path
made up of lilies attached to the pews at
the side. The walls of the church were
festooned with southern smilax topped
with great masses of Easter lilies caught
up by bows of white ribbon.
Because of the small capacity Of the
church the invitations were limited to
friends of the contracting families, the
only exception being in the case of the
diplomatic body. Even here it was not
possible to include in the invitations the
entire diplomatic list; and the elect were
the heads of legations and their ladies
alone. The ushers were all bachelor
friends Of the bridegroom, namely, Henry
Clews, Jr., Frederick Kernochan, J. N.
Waterbury, Jr, Milton S. Barger, Gouven
o. Morris of New York; James N Wads-
worth of Genesseo, N. Y; Hugh D. Scott
Of Philadelphia, and Major Charles l..
McCawley, U. S. M: c., Of Washington.
Mr.. Whitney's best man was Eugene Hale,
Jr., son of the senior senator from
Maine. ~
The bride was assisted by two maids, her
sister Alice Hay, and Dorothy Whitney,
the 15-year- old sister of the bridegroom.
They were prettily gowned in gray crepe
de chene made over white silk and wore
great picture hats of white felt with long
white ostrich plumes. The bride wore
neither jewels nor lace and her toilette
was one Of extreme simplicity, consisting
of a gown Of plain white satin completed
by tulle veil, caught in place by coro-
net of orange blossoms.
beautiful feature Of the wedding was
the musical program which had been ar
ranged by the Hay sisters. -Four of the
six numbers were selections from Wagner.
The music was as follows:
The Pilgrim chorus and tsThe Evening
Star, from "Tannhauser': the professional
march Of the Master Singers, and the Prize
song from ''Die Meistcrsnger" wedding
March, by, Dudley Buck; THE Swan Song
Elsa entering the cathedral, the introduction
to the third act, and the wedding music from
''Lohengrin" and march, Midsummer
Nights Dream" by Mendelssohn
Miss Helen Hay is abaut-2e years of age
small of stature, decided brunette, with
a retousse nose, and much animation Of
manner. Indeed, she has been playfully
described as somewhat OF hoyden. Some
odd and original verses which she has
written and published are regarded by
most of her friends extremely clever,
though, as quite natural, everybody is not
agreed on the point
Mr. Whitney is son of William c.
Whitney, who was Mr.. Clevelands first
secretary of the navy. This fortunate
young man is nephew of the multi
millionaire, Oliver Payne. and will be the
latter's heir. He has lived for number
of years with his uncle, who is brother
of the first Mrs. Whitney, lady who