Evening star., 1936-12-20

SUCH dS never QdQ DeeU seen Ii Lll4
city before and. perhaps, seldom since.
The bridesmaids were all young to
harmonic with the youthfulness Of
the bride, and the groomsmen were
selected from among a circle fitting
in with the age and dignity of the
bridegroom. Jessie Benton. aged IA,
who afterward eloped with John c.
Fremont, the first Republican candi-
date for the presidency, and who was
the daughter of Senator Thomas H.
Benton of Missouri. was one of the
bridesmaids. She was attended by the
then Senator Buchanan. who after
ward became the fifteenth President
of the United States The Chevalier
de Martini. Minister from The Hague.
accompanied the lovely l6-year-old
daughter Of Commodore Morris, and
the British Minister. Henry Stephen
Fox. another of the groomsmen. ap-
peared resplendent in a court suit Of
scarlet and gold.
The bride, who was given away by
Henry Clay, wore dress Of white
satin and silver lace, which was FASH
ioned after the costume of Russian
bride; the low-cut dress showing to
perfection her lovely white shoulders
and neck A coronet Of red velvet,
blazing with diamonds. rested upon
her golden hair. The bridegroom
wore his court dress Of velvet and
lace
The distinguished gathering at the
wedding ceremony included the Presi-
dent and his cabinet, the diplomats
corps in full regalia. officers of the
Army and Navy in uniform. and many
other distinguished persons The knot
was tied by the Rev. Holiday Johns.
After the wedding the bride was
driven to her new home in the counts
private carriage drawn by four horses.
The festivities lasted for a month.
They were entertained at the White
House and dances and receptions were
given in their honor.
THE marriage Of Count Bodisco and
Miss Williams proved a very
happy one, since the parties lived
together until the counts death In
1854, leaving her widow with seven
sons. it is reported.
Bodisco was more unselflsh than
many husbands would be, and prior
to his death, urged his wife to remarry
when he should be taken away, for,
he said, he wanted her to make some
other man just as happy as she had
made him.
Complying with his request. she
later married an English Army officer,
Capt. Douglas Gordon Scott. the cere-
mony taking place in old St. Johns,
at Sixteenth and H streets. They went
to England to live, and she died and
was buried abroad.
The Bodisco mansion is still stand
ing, the rear, which formerly was the
front, being at 1914 o street northwest,
and those whose minds tend toward
looking backward will be rewarded In
seeing this historic home.
Count Bodisco is buried in Oak Hill
Cemetery. and on the tombstone is
carved:
Sacred to the memory Of Alexander
de Bodisco, Chamberlain, Private
Counsellor Of His Majesty. the En-
peror Of All the Russians; His Envoy
Extraordinary and Minister Plenipo-
tentiary to the United States, died jan
uary %, 1884"
A LETTER received q short while
back, but which the writer has not
had chance to use until now. says:
1881 East Capitol street,
Washington. D. c.
October IL. 1896.
John Clagett Proctor,
Care of The Washington Star.
MY Dear Mr.. Proctor: was very
much pleased with your article in the
Sunday Star Of the 18th instant on
Hyattsville, illustrated by a fine photo
of the old Octagon House on Locust
avenue
quite a number Of years before It
was sold to William s. Rogers. it was
occupied by my father, Thomas Rath-
bone, who lived there with his wife and
three daughters Two of my sisters
were married while they lived there,
and In fact the first onewas married in
the psrlor Of the home.
"A twin daughter of this marriage
very recently visited the Octagon House
and told me she got quite thrill when
she stood in the room In which her
parents were married.
"Tfe late Harry w. Shepherd was q
friend Of the family and a frequent
visitor. He was a nephew Of the late
Alexander r. Shepherd. who was well
known as Boss Shepherd by old resi-
dents Of Washington and was one Of
the Governors of this District during
the short time we had a territorial
form Of government.
Later he went to Mexico and was
engaged in silver mining. and II am
not mistaken, Harry, his nephew re.
ferred to above, accompanied him.
"Hyattsville holds q sacred place in
r.
one sister breathed their last there.
Respectfully submitted,
JOHN c. RATHBONE."
.So,ivlaki ynaipstav NJ the Greak