Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1914-08-14

Mr.. Wilson then took his daugh-
tiers, Mrs. w. G. McAdoo, Mrs. Sayre,
and Miss Margaret Wilson aside and
told them Of their mothers condition.
Until then they had thought there
was a chance for her recovery.
From that time on the president and
his daughters remained constantly at
Mrs. Wilson's bedside. The presi
dent held his wife's hand and the
three daughters were grouped near
by. Until she became unconscious
Mrs. Wilson frequently nodded to one
or the other and smiled cheerfully.
During the day Mrs. Wilson spoke to
Doctor Greyson about the president.
whose health she thought more about
than she did of her own.
Voices Old Devotion.
Promise me-" she whispered, faint
ly, that If go you viii take care of
my husband"
1t was the same touch of devo-
ton which she had SO many times re-
peated-her constant anxiety having
been that the president might not
worry about her or be disturbed in his
official tasks.
By one o'clock Mrs Wilson began
to sink rapidly. She could still rec
ognize those about her, however, and
looked cheerfully toward them with
the same sweet smile that will linger
long in the memory OF the many who
knew her. 1t was characteristic ex-
preston Of sweetness which officials
and their families, as well as people
in the slums whom she had befriend-
ed and learned to love.
At two o'clock Mrs. Wilson was
still conscious, but her strength had
almost departed, and few minutes
later she sank into the sleep of uncon-
seriousness from which she never
woke.
Did Not Speak Again.
For three hours, the president and
his three daughters gazed longingly
into her eyes in the hope that she
might speak to them again. but she
could not. The sun was casting its
long shadows from the Potomac to
the south grounds coloring the foun-
tains, gardens and elms.
There was a hushed stiffness in
the upper apartments. All eyes were
truned toward the southwest corner
of the house.
Just at the hour of five death came.
The president and his daughters were
in tears. Secretary Tumulty walked
slowly to the executive Offices, his
head bowed. Quietly he announced to
the correspondents that the end had
come
Members OF the cabinet, justices Of
the Supreme court, members Of the
diplomatic corps, telephoned their con-
dolences and sent cards. From many
humble homes came flowers, as Mrs.
Wilson had made many friends in the
slums and city generally, in her en-
deavor to help the friendless and pow
erty-stricken.
Was Southerner by Birth.
Mrs. Woodrow Wilson was born in
Savannah, Ca, the daughter of Rev.
Samuel Edward and Mrs. Margaret
Jane Arson. Her maiden name was
Ellen Louise Arson. She was educated
by her parents and was graduated.
from Shorter college in Rome, Ga. Her
father was the pastor Of the Presby-
terrain church in Rome.
Early in life she had given promis
| ing indications of artistic ability, and
she went to New York city and studied
at the Art Students league, where her
work attracted attention and admira-
ton.
In 1885 Thomas Woodrow Wilson,
then young lawyer, and long a
friend of the Axsons, went to New
York and took Miss Arson back>South
with him. They were married in the
parsonage of the Independent Presby-
terrain church at Savannah. where
Mrs. Wilson was born.
Kept Up Her Painting.
During all Of her married life Mrs,
Wilson found time to continue at her
painting. She designed the famous gar.
dens which surrounded the presidents
residence at Princeton and furnished
plans for the house itself. But mostly
she painted landscapes.
She had a studio fitted up in the
attic of the White House and often
worked there. Two of Mrs. Wilson's
recent paintings, can Old Wagon
Road and Mar Princeton, N. J.,
were hung in the Vanderbilt gallery
during the last academy exhibit and
received praise from the country's
leading art critics. Her canvasses are
In the Art institute, Chicago, in New
York, Philadelphia and Indianapolis.
But while always attracted toward
art, philanthropy was her hobby.
Shortly after going to Washington
Mrs. Wilson began study of condi.
tons in the poorer districts. Stun
ming parties were conducted and it
was not long before a change for the
better became evident.