Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-01-12

June 49, 1873 the wedding Of President Hayes
niece, Miss Emily Plat, in the Blue Room. to
Gen. Russell Hastings, formerly Lieutenant
colonel of the 23d Regiment Of Ohio Volunteers.
An account tells us: 1T was very handsome
wedding, indsed, though only a limited num-
Der of guests were invited to It. Miss Plat, it
will be remembered, was like daughter to
President and Mrs. Hayes and lived with them
from the time they came to the White House
until she was married at the time named The
marriage occurred at o'clock in the evening.
All the parlors, the dining room and the cor
ridor on the first floor of the Executive Man.
sion were profusely but tastefully adorned with
fine flowers for the occasion. From window TO
window in the blue parlor was stretched
horizontal bar entwined with green. From its
center was suspended a very large marriage
bell Of white roses and other fine flowers.
rope of green was on either side and In each
festoon was a hoop of white blossoms. In the
center of one were the groom's initials, "R. H.
and in the other those of the bride, "E. p"
The Marine Band was in attendance and played
the Memberships Wedding March as the
bridal party were coming downstairs and other
selections during the evening. There were no
bridesmaids groomsmen. The bride and Mrs.
Hayes and all the ladies present were most
elegantly dressed. An elaborate supper was
served in the private dining room. As Con-
gress to adjourn that night. President
Hayes had to go to the Capitol shortly after
the marriage ceremony was over. and spent
most of the night there signing bills"
TIRE dance Mr. Allan Hoover had the other
evening at his White House party with
Mrs. Amen, Grover Clevelands daughter, re-
minds the writer of her mothers brilliant
wedding in the Executive Mansion. Famed for
her beauty and graciouSness, no mistress of the
White House has since endeared herself to the
masses as did Frances Folsom Cleveland-now
Mrs. Thomas Jex Preston jr. Her frequent
public receptions were always well attended.
and when her husbands term of Office expired,
there was genuine and sincere regret in the
hearts OF the women of Washington
Her marriage took place in the Blue Room
of the White House on June 2, 1886, and we
who remember 1t most clearly regard it as
equal to that of Nellie Grants wedding.
In one particular, of course, 1t was more his
toric, for in Frances Folsoms case she was
marrying the President himself, while with
Miss Grant. her marriage was not in this re-
spect so notable.
On the morning Of the wedding the Presi-
dent did not seem to be much perturbed. He
entered his Office at the usual hour and there
was nothing in his manner we are told. las
he transacted the official business, to indicate
in the least that he was working on his
wedding day" He remained in his Office until
nearly o'clock before dropping his official
duties to prepare for the wedding soon to take
place
Miss Folsom and her party did not arrive
in Washington until after o'clock on the
morning OF the Gay OF the Wedong, ana went
direct to the White House with Miss Rose
Cleveland the Presidents sister.
The floral decorations upon this occasion
are said never to have been surpassed, every
conservatory in Washington having been strip
ped Of it's blooms for the occasion. The main
table In the dining room was decorated to
represent full-rigged, three-masted ship, COM
posed Of pinks centaurea, egana, roses and
pansies and displaying the word "Hymen" 1t
rested on a mirror representing lake.
The famous Marine Band leader, John Philip
Sousa, was there with the Marine Band and
played the wedding march and other selec-
tionS for the occasion, and the Rev. DR. Sunder-
land and the Rev. Mr.. Cleveland the Preai-
dents brother, performed tho ceremony.