Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1963-08-05
FIRST LADY OF 1893
She Waited at Cape, Too
By FRANCES LEVINE
Annotated Press staff Writer

First Lady Frances FOLSOM
Cleveland returned from
summer mentioning near
Cape Cod 10 years ago so
her baby could be born in
the White House.
Today, First Lady Jacque-
line Kennedy is at Cape Cod
awaiting her baby, but has
ruled out a White House
delivery.
AS q result, Mrs. Cleve-
lands daughter, Esther. will
probably hold onto the dis
tinction as the only Presi-
dents child actually born in
the executive mansion.
But, Mrs. Cleveland's unique
record as the last First
Lady to have children while
her husband was President,
is now challenged by Mrs.
John F. Kennedy.
The White House birth Of
Esther Cleveland on Satur-
day, September 8, 1898. got
far less attention in the Ma
tons press than the an
nouncement last April that
Mrs. Kennedy was pregnant.
Esther was the second
child of 29-year-old Mrs.
Cleveland and Americans
then were as familiar with
nearly two-year-old Ruth
Cleveland as they are now
with the Kennedy's young
sters, John, jr., az, and
Caroline. 51a.
Baby Ruth Has Sister,"
the New York Times pro-
claimed with informality. The
modest one-column headline
on page three was over
powered and almost lost be-
meath a sprawling ladies
coat and suit advertisement.
The New York Sun was
more impressed with "A Baby
In The White House" and
gave the story IL inches on
page two. Joy For Cleve-
land" said the Chicago Trib-
une, also on page two.
Actually, Baby Esther
competed with the lead
story Of that day-the ALI
American Cup races. But,
she took the play in the
hometown newspaper.
The press accounts Of the
historic event limited that
President Grover Cleveland.
then So, was disappointed
that the latest offspring was
another girl, instead of a son
and heir. But, they dutifully
reported that those who saw
the President at the time
found he gave mo indication"
Of any disappointment.
kilograms of congratula-
tons and an outpouring Of
flowers greeted the event.
The Clevelands, like the
Kennedys, had a home in
the Cape Cod area, where Mrs.
Cleveland was summering
while awaiting the birth of
her child. Her doctor, like
Mrs. Kennedy's was nearby.
In plenty Of time DR.. Joseph
Decatur Bryant Of New York,
the Cleveland's family physi-
clan, accompanied the First
Lady and the President from
their Buzzards Bay, Mass,
cottage. Gray Gables" near
the tip Of Cape Cod, to
Washington and the White
House.
Only two months before.
DR.. Bryant had been the sur
geon who removed cancerous
growth and a section of jaw
In a secret operation on
President Cleveland aboard
a yacht in Long Island sound.
Doctor Moved In
Now, the physician took up
residence at the White House
to wait with his famous pa
tient for the expected birth.
Mrs. Kennedy's obstetrician,
DR.. John w. Walsh Of Wash
ington. is now mentioning at
HyanniS Port, Mass, near the
Kennedy summer home on
Squaw Island so he can &C
company Mrs. Kennedy to
Walter Reed Army Hospital
In Washington for the Cae-
sarean birth Of her child,
scheduled for the last week in
August.
According to newspaper
accounts, the first clue that
Mrs. Cleveland's baby was
coming, was an order from
the White House canceling
the regular Saturday after
noon concert Of the Marine
Corps Band on the White
House lawn. 1t was a fair
September day, with temper
atures in the mid-60s and
there seemed no other reason
for hating the music.
Next, the gates leading
into the rear part of the
executive park" surrounding
the White House were closed
ito insure quiet in the man
sion."
Meanwhile, "the closest
reticence" was maintained at
the White House.
The President was going
about his official business as
usual. seeing visitors and
signing two bills in connec-
ton with the Tooth anniver-
sary Of the founding Of the
United States Capitol.
There was no mistaking
the general air Of expect
ancy" at the White House,
however, the news dispatches
said later "all the messen-
gers, doorkeepers and in fact,
everybody in the house had