Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1909-06-30
WOMEN OF ARMY AND
THE PRESIDENTS Wife
Wives of Generals Bell and Ed
wards Chief Among Social
Leaders at White House.
GOLD LACE HAS GREAT HEYDAY
Presidential Affairs Made Gay
Through Presence of Land and
Sea Fighters Of Nation.

Washington correspondence
When Mrs. Taft, in her official role
as first lady of the land, surrounded
herself with coterie of the cleverest
and brightest officers Of the twin
branches of the service, everybody in
Washington society recognized that
the era Of the army and navy set had
arrived. In brave array the military
men form a moving background at
Mrs. Taft's at homes, and in their i'm
maculate dress the officers of the land
and sea forces are splendid attribute
at Mrs. Tafts fascinating garden par
ties.
At the White House entertainments
scarcely has the line Of guests passed
until Mrs. Taft is surrounded by a
group of officers and their wives
daughters and sweethearts, whose
persifage and laughter instantly dis
sipate any indication OF an oppressive
or military" perfunctoriness.
Replacing Col. Bromwell, who with
Mrs. Bromwell were dominant factors
in the social life of the capital in the
last administration. is Col. Spencer
Cosby, whose career has been marked
with distinction. Col Cosby is the
first Of the administration bachelors
to announce his engagement, and In
the fall Miss Yvonne Shepard, daugh.
ter of Mrs. Charles R. Shepard OF
New York and Washington. will fall
heir to the position vacated by the
withdrawal of Mrs. Bromwell.
Miss Shepard is tall and svelte, her
well-carried head is graced with guam.
titles of silky fair-brown hair, and
her pretty complexion is set off by the
taste Miss Shepard displays in the Sc.
lection of the color of her gowns. She
wears large hats. flower trimmed, and
long, sweeping gowns. which accen.
tuate the graceful slenderness OF her
figure.
AS the wife Of the Presidents aid
and constant attendant, Miss Shepard
Will be thrown constantly in associa-
ton with the White House family,
and her adroitness and social graces
will be put to a severe test in the
carrying of role not less influential
than difficult.
Gen. Bells Wife Power.
As wife of the chief Of staff, Mrs.
j. Franklin Bell will have a high
position in the full tide of the Official
season.
Not content with standing at the
head of the serried ranks OF army.
dom. Mrs. Bell is no less popular with
the diplomatic as we'll as the con.
gressional and president set. AS
great friend of Mrs. Edison Bradley
of New York. she is in touch with the
smart life of the little coterie of the
rich and important who come to
Washington each winter to enjoy Its
season.
Gen. and Mrs. Bell last winter took
possession of commodious home at
Fort Myer and there throughout the
season Mrs. Bell challenged the ad.
miration of society by the conduct of
a series of delightful entertainments
her guests including the grizzled vet.
Grams who surround the chief of stan.
the young officers eager for an onpor.
.tunity to display their mettle. the
-debutantes, the foreign guests" OF the
nation and the general everyday.man
and woman who goes in for Washing.
tons social good times.
Associated with Mrs Bell in the so.
cial life of the army set is Mrs. Woth.
erspoon. the attractive wife of Gen.
Bells first assistant. Mrs. Bells sis.
ter, Mrs. Ernest Darlington, wife Of
Gen. Darlington, is another army ma.
tron whose power in society has to
be reckoned with. Mrs. Darlington Is
a pretty. fair-haired woman, endowed
with a liberal share of the good fell.
lowship and good hnmor Mrs Bell
displays in such a marked degree.
In the childless home of the chief of
staff Miss Sally Darlington, Mrs. Bells
Jolly, good-natured and good-looking
young niece. has large and import.
ant role to carry. Miss Sally is a
dancer who. has won acclaim at the
amateur dramatic productions which
have been features of Washington's
smart life for the last few years, while
her skill as horsewoman gives her a
forward place in the gay little com.
pany of paperchasers" who gallop
over the hills two or three times a
week.
Mrs. Aleshire, wife of Gen. Aleshire,
is one of the army matrons whose wit
and poise count in the proper equip
ment of an army officers wife. She is
large and nice-looking. noticeable
chiefly for the sweetness OF her ex-
preston and her general air of ex.
IRENE good breeding. She fs the moth.
er of a debutante daughter, who has
the distinction of being one of Miss
Helen Taft's best chums.
Mrs. Edwards Wins Lnurels.
One of the handsome homes of the
army set established in Washington
is presided over by Mrs. Clarence Ed.
wards. wife of Gen. Clarence Edwards,
chum to the President and general
good fellow. Gen. Edwards, who is
one of the most generally liked officers
of the service. has his honors to look
to when 1t comes to a discussion of his
wife's popularity. Everybody likes