Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1912-12-28
v|RGIN|ANS
WILL WELCOME
WILSON HOME
Coming Of President-elect
is Made Great Occasion
at Birthplace; To Cele-
brate 56th Birthday.

Princeton, n. j.. Dee. e7.-Presldent-
elect Wilson, shook off his attackof the
grip and started away today to
Staunton, Va, his birthplace. where
tomorrow he will celebrate his fifty
sixth birthday. Mrs. Wilson accom-
panied the governor He was bundled
up warmly in an automobile which
took them to the station. A drizzllng
rain was falling and the streets were
full OF slush. .-e'
National Chairman McCombs and a
party of Virginians living IN New
York were Z aboard the governors
train. E-5' '.H>
Gov. Wilson expects to sleep tonight
IN his own bed in tho rectory at
Staunton where he was born.
HomefoIks Awaiting.
Staunton, Va, Dec. PA great arch
with the words "Welcome Home out
lined in incandescent bulbs, forms the
gateway through which the people OF
Staunton will welcome home tonight
their DISTINGUISHED native son, Presi-
dent-elect Woodrow Wilson. Prepara-
tions under way for nearly two weeks
to make the home coming great
Virginia occasion were completed to-
day and Stanton. despite lowering
clouds and a slight driZZle, presented
the .ppearance of city prepared for
the greatest occasion Of its history. :
The parade to be reviewed by the
president elect tomorrow will be one OF
the great features of the festival The
Stauton streets have been strung for
blocks with incandescent bulbs and
gas arc lamps, fla gs and bunting were
in evidence on business blocks and
privtte houses and streets have been
flushed and scrubbed and swept for the
passing Of the Wilson parade tomor-
row Much interest centers : in the
frame house that was Wilson's birth
place and his residence during boy
hood. Plans for an "old Virginia
dinner have been abandoned. Ft-
forts will b. made to protect Gov Will
son as fully as possible from exposure
or inclement weather that might en-.
danger his, health. i >
Accorded Ovation En- Route.
Washington, D. c., Dec. 27.-Elabor-
ate preparations have been made here
and In adjacent Virginia for the recep-
tion of President-elect Wilson when
he arrives late today on his way to. his
g
brate his birthday anniversary. Bon
fires will light the trains flying jour
ney from the Virginia end Of the bridge
spanning the Potomac river to Staun-
ton ~. ...
Gov. Wilson will be accorded an
ovation here. Democratic members
of congress now In the capital are to
be at the railroad station when the
train arrives.
Nearly a score of police and detec-
tives left today for the Virginia town
to lend their aid in caring for the
crowds that will be attracted by the
AFFAIR. According to all reports no
trouble Is expected.
Mccombs is Informed.
Philadelphia, Pa, Dec. 27.-Presi-
dent-elect Wilson and party passed
through Philadelphia today enroute to
Staunton. Va.rT' "-'' '.-~
'I feel little bit husky" said the
governor, "but otherwise I am all
right" -
The governor said the weakness in
his voice probably was due to the re-
Taxation of the last few days rather
than to the possibility that his cold
had settled in the throat.
National Chairman William F.. Nc
Combs sat in the governors drawing
room for few minutes. but observing
that Mr. Wilson's voice was not strong
he advised him to protect his throat
and rest for few hours. He will con-
fer with him later today on the train.
The governors face appeared drawn
but he said he probably would be back
to normal health in day or so. The
president-elect had a great many
things to tell Mr.. McCombs as he has
not seen him since the conference
with William ]. Bryan and Speaker
Clark.
10 Mr.. McCombs alone, it is be-
lieved, Gov. Wilson Is confding his
thought about making up the cabinet.
The national chairman admitted to-
day that he knew many things" but
was not at liberty to tell. He be-
lieved, however. he said. that i'm
portant announcements would not be
made until March l.
nEETTTC cTAyTT1N NTTT