Omaha daily bee., 1914-08-07

sty, and also of the White House gar
dens. Her skin was smooth and girlish
and her eyes, until recently, sparkled with
health. Her hair was soft, brown and
wavy, and she was of medium height
She was known as beautiful woman.
Her domestic life is described as having
been attractive and typical Of that OF a
woman of her cultured class. She had a
knowledge OF the domestic arts. and was
a good cook. IL is related of her that
she liked to prepare dishes. or have them
prepared under her personal supervision
for the president and that she always
made It a point to personally prepare
for him the orange Juice he has with his
breakfast.
BIII Passed.
Before Mrs. Wilson's death. senate lead
ers got together and brought in the bill in
which Mrs. Wilson was so much inter-
ested. and it was passed without delay
or objection.
The death OF Mrs. Wilson was an
nounced I'm the senate by Senator Kern
and In the house by Representative I'm
derwood. Both houses Immediately ad-
journed as a mark of respect.
-Four months of almost unbroken Illness
a complication of nervous ailments and
Bright's disease. have Slapped the vitality
Of the first lady of the land. The cad is
regarded as a matter OF days, perhaps
hours Her three daughters are at her
bedside and relatives have been sum
moned. Physicians have been in consul
tation for days. but II was admitted at the
White House tonight that hope for her
recovery had almost vanished.
Conscious only at intervals, Mrs. Wilson
has been cheerful and has called con-
stantly for her husband. Every moment
that could be spared from urgent official
duties have been devoted by the presI-
dent TO his wife At the side of hts con-
slant helpmate and adviser. he wrote the
tender OF good offices appealing to the
European monarchs TO stay their conflict.
From the sick room he has given d.
rections to the various department heads
for the relief of thousands OF Americans
stranded abroad. The press OF domestic
legislation. the European war and Next
can situation, and the furry over finan-
ciai conditions throughout the country
have weighed heavily on the president as
ne has maintained his day and night vigil.
For several days II has been known TO
House that Mrs. Wilson was gravely III
and that hope for her recovery was slight.
The president himself has chung desper-
ately to the hope that she might yet sur
vive the crisis, but her fraii constitu-
ton, drained by months OF never-ending
illness. has been unable to Withstand the
battle.
slips ON Rug.
One day last March Mrs Wilson
slipped on a rug at the White House, In
juring her spine. An operation was neces-
sary. After weeks of convalescence she
finally arose from her bed, but the bur-
den OF a winters activity at the White
House, together with charity work In the
slums OF the city. brought on nervous
prostration. She was we'll enough to at
tend the wedding Of her second daughter,
now Mrs. william McAdoo, but her re-
Operative powers were not lasting.
stomach trouble added to her nervous
ailment and Brights disease developed
Three weeks ago she seemed to rally and
was we'll enough TO walk. supported by
nurse, in the White House grounds.
She watched with satisfaction as gar
deners laid out the last OF the Italian
gardens which she had planned for the
south front OF the executive mansion. A
marble statue OF a boy playing a flute
was placed. at her direction, In the gar
den, near the executive offices. With
her taste for the artistic. developed in
many years of landscape painting. she
had practically rearranged the gardening
OF the White House in a symmatry OF
hedges and flowers.
seems But shadow.
With her apparent recovery. the presi-
dent urged that his wife go to a cooler
climate. The heat OF Washington was
particularly oppressive, but she stead
fastly declined to leave her husband.
She took an active interest in the contest
over the confirmation OF Thomas d.
Jones as member OF the Federal Re
serve board and called for many doeu-
ment on congressional affairs. The re-
lapse came last week and since then she
has been sinking rapidly. Only members
Of the family were admitted to the sick
room. She had lost in weight until her
thin form seemed but shadow OF her
former self
Day and night the family watched
snxiously over her for the last few days.
~N~NN@A-a 49, EAA11 ANSkRNh bCaInH LOT
few moments. Oxygen and other re-
storatiyes were applied. Early today she
seemed somewhat better. but late today
grew worse
The president, always sensitive about
exaggerated reports about members OF
his family, authorised no official an
nounoement about Mrs. Wilson's health.
He had hoped that she might yet recover.
Today, however. there was a change.
White House officials acknowledged tie
gravity OF the patients condition and re-
veaied that while they were hoping
against hope, the end was dangerously
near.
! sees Many Delegates.
The strain OF her duties as mistress. OF
the White House and her own untiring
efforts to help many an unknown and
friendless person, who has appealed TO
her, are said 20 be directly responsible
for her breakdown. Mrs Wilson received
many delegates which her husband was
too busy 10 see. Her mail Is vOluTninous
and she has insisted on attending In per-
son 10 many appeals for help that came
20 her. She has been particularly active
/ since coming 20 Washington In befterinE