Evening star., 1947-11-16

Thomas j. Preston, bette
known to the public as tn
- widow Of President Grove.
Cleveland, brings back font
memories to host Of Washing
tcniAns who recall her as one o.
he most beautiful and gracious
women who ever presided over tht
White House.
In Mrs. Cleveland's day tina
ostimable lady had frequent public
receptions at the White House ar1e
thousands Of Washington ladies II
particular availed themselves OF thu
privilege Of shaking her hand. Presi'
dent Cleveland, likewise, had many
open receptions during his two terms
ss Chief Executive. But the womer
were most interested in the Presi'
dent's young and affable bride, WHIT
vas married in the blue room O.
he White House. He was bach
e3or and 20, the bride not quite "a.
"A Bower Of Beauty"
The room where the ceremon.
was performed was transformed
into a bower Of beauty for the oc'
easion and the noted bandmaster
John Philip Sousa, then director o
the Marine Band, came with tina
celebrated organization OF musiclan'
to enliven the occasion. The ON
ciating clergyman was the Rev
Byron Sunderland, who had beer
the nastor of the First Presbyterian
Church from 1858.
According to a published state
nent, the time required for tn'
marriage ceremony was just sever
minutes: cat 1908 o'clock Mendels
sohr's march was played by tn
band. At the same instant th'
booming Of guns was heard and tn
ringing of church bells and blowing
Of steam whistles told the story II
all the people of Washington tina
the marriage had taken place. Tht
Marine Band finished the march a
7:o5. At 7:12 the band again begar
10 play" indicating that the cere'
mony was over.
The ceremony itself was the sam'
rituanstic one that DR.. Sunderland
had read to many contracting
narties, as he stood before the dis
ttnsuished couple with the Rev
william H. Cleveland. o Presoy
terrain clergyman and brother Il
the President, at his side.
In this connection it might be IN
teresting to the women of the pres
ent day to know the nature OF tn
brides costume: The dress was o
tvory satin cut en- train, with higf
corsage and elbow sleeves. Twt
bands of null. edged with lace
crossed the bosom, and the sklr
was trimmed with the same sort O.
scarfs which crossed the front arle
formed the trimming OF the skirt
The orange blossom garniture, com
mencing upon the veil in a SUPER
ooronet. was continued Throughout
the costume. A veil of tulle com
pletely enveloped the bride and fel
to the edge of her train.
Among the kilograms received BY
the President was one from Queer
Victoria of England, saying: pray
accept my sincere congratulations
on your marriage, and my bes
wishes for your happiness. Vic
toria."
The Rosedale Tract.
On May rs, 1885, President Grover
Cleveland, in anticipation OF hi
forthcoming marriage to Miss Fol
som purchased the Green estate
known as Oak View for s21 500
The property was a historic old site
having in 1895 become the land o
Gen. Uriah Forrest and Benjamin
stoddert, and embraced 900 acres
lying about q mile and half nortf
Of Georgetown.
In 1794 Gen. Forrest acquired MI
etoddert's interest and became tn
bole owner Of the tract, which wa
called Rosedale. In that year Gen
Forrest erected q frame house On
the north side of Ordway street ,