The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1914-03-28

I " - AtLS AtGS at 1nS
succeeded In making a remarkable col
lection and now great glass cases con
tain the exhibit. 49,.
AS one enters the room he sees frs
the charming figure OF Mistress Dolly
Madison-the famous woman Of dem,
ocracy. Dorothea Paine Madison Ia at,
tired in her favorite gown OF buff-col,
orod satin, which is draped over a
white skirt elaboratelY embroidered IN
all eolors OF the rainbow. Her right
hand is extended. holding a book.
from the White House highly po1npous
and c~eremonious manner OF conduct
ing social Intercourse. The grave dig .
nifty assumed by the ladies since Mrs.
suit the gay-hearted Mrs: Madison.
Mrs. Madison Invariably carried 4
book IN her right hand when she en-
tered a room TO greet a visitor. She
fact, she disliked reading. 1t was far
too slow for the lively first lady"
She never knew more about the book
than two or three lines that would be
UNDERSIGNED for her by her social sec
rotary and one or two other facts, jot-
ted down on the hyleaf, to warrant a
yersation failed, She often said, later
in life. that this onnipresent book
saved her many embarrassing situa-
tions. The gown has been well cared
Opposite the model OF the fair Dolly
Madison stands the model of Mrs.
Grant, dignified and stately and CO.'S
tuned in the formal, magnificent fash
Ing the war. 1t Is generally admitted
that Mrs. Grants dresses were the
models of the time. Some historians
declare that her dresses were the moss
ever graced either the receiving line or
the huge lists of guests at the White
House. The gown worn by the Grant
model was fitted from pieces of Mrs.
| Grants gowns rat erS6 from far, ami
wide.
1t Is the most imposing costume OF
the exhibition. 1t consists OF a heavy
brocade, over which is draped a point
lace which falls In graceful folds from
the shoulders. The lace, oaned to the
museum by Mrs. Grants daughter, is
believed to be the same which the fam
Gus generals wife wore at the inau-
gural ball in honor of her husband.
Seated in one, of the original Mount
Vernon chairs, by the side OF a table
of Martha Washington. she is holding
a workbag which she made during her
declining years. On the table are num-
erous household appointments. also
tons gown is a heavy salmon-tint silk,
painted in a set design, the colors OF
green and brown predolninating.
Mrs. Sarah ch 6adc Polk; wife Of
serious views Of life. She was puri-
tanical to the highest degree. During
her administration of the social affairs
Of the White House dancing was never
permitted and wine was entirely prohi-
bited. In the matter Of fine clothes,
however, she was extremely partial and
she was quite as fond Of gorgeous
gowns as was the gaN-hearted Mrs.
Madison. The gown shown in the eX-
hibitiOn, worn at the Polk inaugural
ball. Is of blue brocade.
Two White House. brides furnished
abundant material for models. One is
l. N rJinf I m tSnnn. of 1Dpnoi1nn+ On
chanan, who married and became p
Johnson, and the other is Mrs. John
Tyler. The former gown is. the prop
erty of Miss May S. Kennedy and the
latter belongs to Mrs. Pearl Tyler
Ellis.
In B~uchanan's administration Miss
Lane was the most popular belle in
Washington. Her violet eyes and
fully charming name endeared her
to all those with whom she came in
contact. Although a woman of prac-
tically no social experience. she assum-
ed the responsibilities of White House
hostess, and never had they been better
conducted.
Mrs. ,Tyler's gown is the one she
wore when first presented to the court
of Louis Philippe. 1t is a beautifully
embroidered creation, rather more
youthful than any of the other gowns.
Ter, however, for she took up the dut-
les of the first lady of the land" at an
extremely youthful age.
The most modern costume is that Of
Mrs. Taft. 1t Is her inaugural gown, a
| creation of floss, silver and rhine
stones, which was made for her in the
Philippines. 1t is low cut, with short
sleeves, and has a very long, full train.
It was presented to the museum by
Mrs. Taft to be used as q permanent
exhibit.
In fiat, glass cases, arranged between
the cases containing the models of the
first ladies, there Is a miscellaneous
collection of hats, umbrellas, gloves
and "~whatnots" that women of all gen.
erations love.
The exhibit will be a substantial ad-
dition to the National museum colIee-
ton, and it is due to Mrs. James that
this exhibit is possible.
.
Announcement has been made IN
London of the engagement of Lady
Diana Manners, third daughter of the
Duke of Rutland to the Duke of Abruz-
Il OF Italy, a. cousin of the Italian
king. The owe affairs OF the Duke OF
AbruzZi are well known, as for SO long
he was engaged to Miss Katherine Elk
ms, daughter of the late senator from
West Virginia, Stephen B. Ellkins. Miss
Elkins finally broke 1t off, with the
duke for the last time and married
William Hit. His new fiancee was
born in 1892. She is g. descendant of
the famous Dorothy Vernon Of Had
don Hall, and is considered a remark
able beauty.