Very Important Passengers

Alma Blethen

July 26, 1886, Daily Alta California, San Francisco

GEORGE-BLETHEN

An attractive home wedding of the week was that of Miss Alma Blethen and Dr. Edward George which occurred on Tuesday evening at the residence of the bride's brother-in-law, J.R. Dwyer, at No. 512 Devisadero (Divisadero) street. The bride is the daughter of Captain Blethen, who, many years, ago, was connected with the Panama line of steamships. The groom is a well-known dentist of this city.

Only the more intimate friends of the contracting couple were present. The parlors were tastefully decorated in honor of the occasion, the letters "A" and "E" wrought in pinks and marigolds, being conspicuous adornments of the mirror in the front room. Suspended from the bow-window was a handsome marriage bell.

Precisely at 8:30 o'clock the Rev. Mr. Spaulding, of St. John's Church, entered the room in company with the groom. Shortly after, the bride, resting on her father's arm, appeared, followed by four little children, Miss Burr, Master Richard Dwyer, Evelyn Dwyer and Master Charles Hall, each of the young ladies supporting a basket of beautiful flowers. Mr. and Mrs. Dwyer and Mr. and Mrs. Eugene Blethen, brother and sister-in-law of the bride, completed the procession.

The Episcopalian marriage service was then read, after which congratulations were in order. When the excitement attending the bestowal of laudatory speeches had subsided, the guests were invited to partake of a wedding supper, at which merriment reigned supreme until the inauguration of dancing.

The festivities of the evening were continued until a late hour, when Dr. and Mrs. George left for the Palace Hotel.

The young couple departed Wednesday afternoon for Napa Soda Springs, and contemplate visiting Lake Tahoe prior to their return here two weeks hence. Their future home will be at 512 Devisadero street. 

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Artful Players: Artistic Life in Early San Francisco
Birgitta Hjalmarson
With a handful of wealthy Gold Rush barons as indulgent patrons, an active community of artists appeared in nineteenth-century San Francisco almost overnight. A subculture of artistic brilliance and social experimentation was the result -- in essence, a decades-long revelry that purportedly ended with the 1906 earthquake. Witness Jules Tavernier, hungry and in debt, accepting a stuffed peacock and two old dueling pistols in payment for a Yosemite landscape; Mark Twain as reluctant art critic.

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The Naval Order of the United States has a history dating from 1890. Membership includes a wide range of individuals, many with highly distinguished career paths. When it was established, the Founders provided "that any male person above the age of eighteen years who either served himself, was still presently serving, or was descended from an officer or enlisted man who served in any of the wars which the U.S. Navy, Marine Corps, or Revenue or Privateer services was engaged was eligible for Regular membership." Today, the Order is a "by invitation only" society, and includes men and women who have served or who assist in accomplishing its Mission, including research and writing on naval and maritime subjects.

The San Francisco Commandery meets the first Monday of each month in San Francisco, California and holds two formal dinners each year: