The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1914-08-13

administration. In this work she
| brought a breadth Of vision, a COM
prehension and spirit of lofty charita-
bleness which has been Of immense
| value to the president, who has not
personally had the time from his off,
cial duties to keep posted on the state
Of public opinion as expressed in the
newspapers. Whenever the president
| was praised for his work Mrs. Wilson
was enthusiastic, and when he was
criticised she never failed to find a
silver lining.
"Take Care of Ny Husband"
In one Of her last conscious moments
she said to DR.. Grayson, doctor, if I
go away promise me you will take
good care of my husband"
Mrs. Wilson died in the big bedroom
at the southwest corner Of the White
House overlooking the Potomac river.
The president sat beside her, holding
| her hand, and on the other side of the
bed knelt her daughters-Mrs. William
| G. McAdoo, Mrs. Francis B. Sayre and
Miss Margaret Wilson.
A touching incident occurred the day
of Mrs. Wilson's death. When Mrs.
Wilson first came to Washington she
was deeply interested in the improve
ment Of the alleys and slums. Partly
as a result Of her interest, bill was
| introduced in the house for the recla-
nation Of the pest spots, No action
| was taken, and it had not been dis
cussed much recently.
Her Dying Request.
While the president was sitting at
Mrs. Wilson's bedside she recalled her
| interest in the slums and mentioned
! that it would add much to her hap
piness if the pending bill could be
passed. The president mentioned the
matter to Secretary Tumulty and ask
ed that something be done about the
bill if possible.
Mr.. Tumulty discussed the bill with
Secretary Bryan, Senators James,
Hollis and Hughes and Chairman
johnson of the house District of Col
umbia committee. All promised to in
terest their friends, and Representative
Johnson, returning to the capitol,
| called a meeting Of his committee,
| where it was decided to report the bill
| favorably at once. It was passed by
the senate.
| Throughout her illness Mrs. Wilson
had been continuing her interest in
the poor children in Washington. This
was evidenced in her desire to do away
with the alleys and also in her atten-
ton to the library for the blind, where
Miss Margaret Wilson had frequently
sung and her mother has been fire.
quent visitor.
| While the campaign for the elimina-
ton OF the alleys was at its height Mrs.
Wilson visited Washington's most
squalid streets and personally talked
to the children and their parents. She
was also a frequent visitor at settle
ment houses in Washington and at
tended many Of their entertainments
and festivals.
Daughter of a Minister.
Before her marriage Mrs. Wood
row Wilson was Miss Ellen Louise
Axsen, daughter Of a Presbyterian
| clergyman at Savannah, Ga. She was
born in Georgia fifty years ago. Her
family is said to be the only one Of
the name in America, and. like the
president, she has one brother and
one sister-Professor Stockton Axsen,
voted the most popular member Of the
Princeton faculty. and Mrs. Edward
Elliott, wife of a Princeton professor
of international law.
Three daughters were born to the
Wilson's, and to their upbringing Mrs.
Wilson devoted almost all her ener-
gies. On the eve Of her husbands
election she said to friend:
II have always had the greatest de-
sire to be a painter, but the bringing
up of three daughters and the cares
Of a housewife have taken up most
Of my life since my marriage, and just
when my girls are quite able to care
for themselves. and my domestic prob
lens seem over with on that account
am confronted with the prospect of
the White House and the duties of
the nations hostess. But she add
ed, with smile, "whatever the result
Of the election, I intend never entirely
to desert my art"
| Talented as a Painter.
And neither did she. Whenever
time permitted she spent hours at her
canvas in the White House with brush
and palette. r..
That she was a painter Of no small
talent was generally admitted. All
through life Mrs. Wilson was fond OF
painting. and as girl she attended
the New York Art school. Her work
has been exhibited at numerous art
galleries. AS. landscape artist she
was at her best. and many scenes she
painted in Washington have received
hiph nraiSo from cOnnOiSSellrS