Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1912-12-24
READY TO GREET WILSON.
Preparations at Staunton Are Com
pleted.

staunton, Va, Dec 24.-Staunton is
on the qui yive for the Wilson home
coming celebration, which takes place
here on Saturday next. To say that
Stanton will acquit herself with
honor and create for herself a place IN
history is not overstating things in the
least. No wheel or cog is allowed to
drag, but the whole machinery of pre-
paration is running smoothly towards
a creditable consummation Of the
plans as originally mapped out.
While Mr.. Wilson will occupy the
same room in which he was born, on
December %, 1856, at the Presbyte-
rian manse, when his father was pas
tor of the local Presbyterian church.
Although Governor Wilson's father
remained here only two or three years
after the birth OF his son, Thomas
Woodrow the latter has kept In touch
with Staunton, and was educated IN
the Virginia University at Charlottes-
vile, only 40 miles east OF this city.
He often made visits to the place OF
his birth during his college days,
and. could, no doubt, relate some in
teresting incidents of romance when
a, young man he divided his atten-
tion between his books at the Unlver-
sitv. of Virginia and a certain member
of the fair sex at the Mary Baldwin
Seminary, in this city. The Seminary,
however, has no memory for anyother
thar pleasant associations with the
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.. and will take
an important part in his entertain
ment during his sojourn in Staunton.
tbs in the hall sof dignified instltu-
ton that the big public reception will
take place Saturday afternoon at 3:3O
o'clock, and it is before its massive CO.
lonial columns that Rev. DR.. A. NJ.
Fraser will deliver the address in
which he will formally welcome Cover
nor Wilson to the city Of his nativity.
In this connection it is recalled that
the only building of all the seminary's
five structures, which, by the way,
cover nearly block in the heart OF the
city, that stands soriginally con-
structed in the days when Staunton
was raising presidential timber and
fine, old Presbyterian stock, is the
chapel in which over half century
ago. a newborn babe was baptized and
christened Thomas Woodrow Wilson.
There is an old brick office which was
formally the house of worship OF
Stanton Presbyterians. Now, how
ever it is used as the Seminary chapel,
and a fine church edifice stands oppo-
site it on East Frederick street, where
successors Of DR.. Wilson have Ions
been warning the hayward to flee
from the wrath to coma" Nor is this
old chapel the only thing historic that
will figure in Mr.. Wilson'S home-com-
ing.
The Stonewall Brigade Band, which
was organized before the unpleasant
ness of 1876 and which made itself
famous as a part of Stonewall jack
sons immortal legions, will be in the
forefront of the festivities and will en-
trance the listening ears of thousands
of Staunton's guests with patriotic
airs. This is no cheap organization Of
tin-horn tooters, but a fine amateur
band and has featured in such ma
tion-wide events at the Worlds Fair
ait Chicago, the Mckinley Monument
dwelling at Canton, o., and other
such notable occasions, and has al
ways brought back the laurels.
Added to the program for Wilson
Day will be an old-time Virginia din
ner, served Saturday evening. at
which a typical Virginia ham of Smith
field variety, coffee, corn pone, sweet
potatoes, turkey, etc, will be served
in sold plantation" style.
o.