Evening star., 1945-10-07
Truman Thrills Virginia Town as Best Man
of Clark to British Actress
Marine lieutenuntHu
Honor Of Receiving
President Alone
BY MARION WADE DOYLE.
Star Staff Corrssnonaart

simple ceremony marked by the
appearance of President Truman as
best man, former Senator Bennett
Champ Clark, justice-designate of
the District Court of Appeals, was
married today to Violet Heming,
British-born actress, In century-old
Grace Episcopal Church here.
Following the wedding, a recep-
ton was held at nearby Balclutha,
estate of Mr.. and Mrs. James M.
Thomson. Mrs. Thomson is the
sister Of Mr.. Clark. A few minutes
before the wedding, Mr.. Thomson's
nephew, Marine 1t. James Thomson,
received the President and his wife
and daughter when they entered
the rectory instead of the church.
AT few minutes after II am,
shortly after the President and his
party had arrived, 1t. Comdr. Harry
F. Byrd, jr.. U. S. N. r., son of the
junior Senator from Virginia,
escorted Mrs. Truman to a front
pew. Close behind her, Margaret
Truman was escorted by 1t. Thom-
son.
Bride in Wine Silk Suit.
The wedding march was played
at 11:l2 am. and the bride walked
down the aisle on the arm of Capt.
Richard Duncan Gatewood, U. s. N,
an old friend. She had no attend
ants.
Half the 40 invited guests turned
to look at her She wore a wine
silk suit and pink feathered hat
Many other eyes turned to the left
anteroom where the President came
out behind Mr.. Clark and the Rev
DR.. Henry G. Lane, officiating min
lister.
The President stood back a bit
difidently as the couple joined arms
before the minister at the simple
wooden altar. Mr.. Clark looked at
him and the President moved in q
little closer.
Throughout the brief ceremony
the President stood with bent head
except. when loud knocking from a
radiator caused him to look around
startled.
President Ready With Ring.
When Mr.. Clark held out his hand
for the ring, the President had il
ready. Then, when DR.. Lane pro-
nounced the couple man and wife
the groom turned and bowed slightly
toward the President, who smiled
at him.
MIR. Clark kissed Mrs. Clark and
they turned to walk back down the
aisle. Behind them, the President,
still smiling. hesitated a moment
and then walked few steps to
stand beside Mrs. Trumans pew.
Outside, the crowd of spectators
took one look at the bride, saw the
President was not behind her, and
raced to the rear of the church to
see him leave.
Holding on to the arm of her hus-
band, the actress smiled happily for
photographers. At 81, it was her
first marriage. Mr.. Clark, SIS, was
married before. His first wife is
dead.
/ ~~ Slight Mixup.
The honor of receiving the Presi-
dent just before the wedding fell to
1t. Thomson as . result of slight
mixup in the schedule for the event.
Near wedding time, 1t. Thomson,
who came from his station at the
Artillery School at Quantico, Va, to
serve as an usher, went across a rear
alleyway to the rectory, few yards
from the church. The President and
his wife and daughter were expected
to drive into the alleyway and be
received by Mr.. Clark, the Chief Ex-
ecutive's old friend and Senate as
sociate, in rear anteroom of the
church.
AS 1t. Thomson was starting in
side the rectory to speak to DR.. Lane.
cars crunched into the driveway.
Secret Service men piled out. A
short man in business suit helped
out a gray-haired woman and a
blond girl.
Marine on the Alert.
But instead of turning into the
church, President Truman led his
wife and daughter up to the door
of the rectory. 1t. Thomson told
friends at the wedding reception
later that he knew something had
to be done" Across the alleyway,
he said, there was the groom and
/ a man with at least the rank of
lieutenant commander to greet the
President. But the President was
coming into the rectory where 1t
Thomson stood alone.
80 I just stepped forward and
said, Good morning, Mr.. Presi-
dent" 1t. Thomson said. Rapidly
reviewing Marine regulations, he
recalled that he did not have tc
salute the commander in chief be-
cause he did not have his cap on
The lieutenant gave his name to
the President. He had been pre-
sented to the Truman family and
several of the accompanying digni-
taries before Mr.. Clark rushed
across to the rectory. After the Pres
ident and the bridal couple had
left the wedding reception at Bal
clutha, Comdr. Byrd recounted the
story of 1t. Thomson's responsible
ity.
I was just the only member OF
the family there" 1t. Thomson said
Il knew 1t was up to me-"
Among the guests at the wedding
| reception were Bernard Baruch, Ad-