The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1913-11-14

w Aof1l-\d oN. NON- If.-ftdppl-
ness is surely in store for Jessie Will
son, the fifteenth White House bride,
as such is the unbrOken tradition of
the matches which have graced the
Presidential Mansion. When the Chief
executives youngest daughter be-
comes Mrs. Francis B. Sayre in the
East Room on November %, the soft
ly waited strains of the famous Ma
rine band should call to her mind the
vision of long line of blushing come
ly predecessors, whose lives have
been blessed py their union within
these historic walls
Indeed the White House breathes an
air Of romance and lOve-making of
sweethearts' signs, and the whispering
of sweet and precious VOWS. Only one
president of the long line has shown
the hardihood to resist this seductive
tmosphere-James Buchanan, who
entered bachelor and came out at
the end of his term unscathed. But
two other Presidents, Cleveland and
Tyler, fell willing victims to the bene-
dict-creating influence.
vi Tie fourteen previous Wnlte
House brides, four have been married
elsewhere, but these are included be-
cause they came Immediately to the
mansion on their honeymoon and be-
cause they are linked in the minds of
the American people with the home of
Presidents.
Early Weddings.
The White House was born with the
mark of Dan Cupid on it, for its pre-
decessOr, the old first White House of
hewn stone which was burned by the
British during the war Of 1912, itself
saw marriage amid it's yellow satin
upholstery and damask hangings. Mrs.
Madison, permeated with the White
House romance, persuaded Miss Todd
Of Philadelphia, demure but beauti-
full Quakeress, who was her near rela-
tive, to be married in the Presidential
mansion. Then the first lady of the
land set out to show what Presiden
tial wedding setting should be. Her
lavishness almost shocked the Quaker
bride. it is related. But Mrs. Madi-
son had her way and with great SPLEEN
dor Miss Todd became Mrs. John G.
Jackson. Her husband was a member
of Congress from Virginia, and the
greatuncle of ''StOnewall' Jackson.
The first ceremony of this character
in the present White House was the
wedding of Miss Maria Monroe, young
est daughter of President Monroe, and
Lawrence Gouverneur, of New York
City, on March 9, 1920. Six years later,
John Adams was the first son Of
President to be married in the execu-
tive mansion. He took Helen Jackson,
of Massachusetts. described as look
inc io of whit
satin and soft lace" for his bride.
President Popular.
The president liked the society of
young people and there were two
White House weddings during his
tenacy. He invited Miss Lewis of
Nashville. who announced her en-
gagement to Monsieur PaGU@Ol. later
Minister from France, at the White
House, to be married there and she
accepted. Later the same doors open
ed for the wedding of the Presidents
niece, Miss EastOn of Tennessee, and
Mr.. Polk Sarah Yorke Of Philadelphia
because the bride of Andrew Jackson,
Jr., in Philadelphia in 1885, but Mrs.
Jackson later presided over the house
hold of the Chief Magistrate and is in
spirit truly one of the White House
brides.
Another graceful mistress was
brought TO the White House when Alb
ram Van Buren,, son of the President,
married Miss Angelica Singleton in
South Carolina.
Two years later his first wife be
ing dead, President Tyler married
Miss Gardiner. a strikingly handsome
young woman. in New York and
forthwith brought her TO Washington.
Here there was a magnificent recep-
ton. the Marine Band playing amid a
scene of high gaiety. This is the
earliest known appearance of the Gel
ebrated musical organization.
Grant NuptiaIs.
White House romance cast its spell
with great intensity on Nellie Grant.
The Presidents daughter was cross
ing the ocean at the age of seventeen
when she fell in love with Algernon .
Sartoris, just attained his majority.
For eighteen months the President
frowned on the match. Then he con-
scented. and later. in 1874. he gave the !
bride away in the East Room. Mr.. !
Grant could not conceal his emotion
on this occasion.
In the same year Colonel Fred
Grant brought his bride who was a
Miss Honore. to the White House
from Chicago and her personality !
proved welcome addition to Wash /
ington society.
Mrs. Hayes, wife of the President, /
had a favorite niece, Emily Pratt, who !
spent much time at the White House /
When her. engagement TO General /
Russell Ha Stings was announced Mrs !