Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1914-08-12

faint smiles in recognition OF members,
of; her family, but was too. weak to ut
ter; a word, She remained conscious
all day until about two o'clock, when
her voice failed her. / think that Mrs.
Wilson first realized that She was to
die Wednesday morning, when her
daughters, Mrs. Sayre and Miss Mar.
garet, were called home. She knew that
this would not have happened unless
the end was near. From that time she
accepted it as Inevitable and went
without a fear or tremor into the Val
ley Of Death 3; III
Even In her last hours she was al.
ways thinking OF 5others.
1t is reported that one Of Mrs. Will
sons last. statements q
II will pass away more peacefully II
the alley bill is passed"
Congress was stirred to the heart
when it learned! that Mrs. Wilson had
thus spoken OF the pending legisla-
ton to remedy the dreadful slum con-
ditions in Washington, an object dear
to her heart. h
Congress- Grants Request.
Word was then sent to the White
House that the bill would soon be a
law and the president told Mrs. Will
son, cheering her immeasurably. Very
quickly afterward the senate passed
the bill and. before many days the,
elimination Of the Washington alleys
will be a possibility as a living me-
mortal to the gentle thoughtfulness Of
this first lady Of the land.
End ls Peaceful.
The physicians kept up the artid-
cial stimulation and; again and again
the patient would rally slightly and
give smiles of farewell to her family.
She could not speak, but the eloquent
language of the eyes and the smiles
were still left to her.
Shortly before her death the attend
ing physicians drew aside and left the
last sacred moments to the president
and his daughters. An eyewitness OF
the final scene described it as solemn
" beautiful and peaceful and while
all were grief-stricken they bore up
bravely for the sake OF the peace and
comfort OF the dying wife and mother.
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 NewsYork city and studied
at the Art Students league, where her,
work attracted attention and admira-
ton.
Married at Birthplace.
In 1885 Thomas Woodrow Wilson,
then a young lawyer, and long q
friend OF the Axsons, went to New
York and took Miss Arson back South
with him. They were married In the
Of the Independent Presby-
terrain church at Savannah, where Mrs,
Wilson was born. Z
Mrs. Wilson discharged the duties
of the household without assistance
for more than five years and even
while mistress Of the White House she
took. d keen interest in the manage.
ment of its affairs. ,@
Mrs. Wilson was never socially in
.clined. The Wilson's always have lived
simply, without flourish. Mrs. Wilson
insisted. after she became the first
lady in the land, that it was possible
for her to dress In keeping with the
high position which she held on $1,000.
aTyear. She always designed her own.
dresses and those OF her three daugh-
'ters, <:
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 III the at
tic of the White House and often.
worked there. Two of Mrs. Wilson's
recent paintings, An Old Wagon
Road and Near Princeton, N. j."
were hung in the Vanderbilt gallery.
during the last academy exhibit and
received praise from the country's.
leading artsrcritics. 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 a study of condi-
tons in the poorer districts. Slum-
ming parties were conducted and Il
was not long before change for the
better became evident.
Mrs. Wilson was q member OF many
clubs and societies but always denied
she was q "clubwoman."s In all civic
movements she took an active part,
being president OF the, woman's de-
Epartment Of the National Civic asso-
citation.
Reared in "a religious atmosphere.
Mrs. Wilson was always intensely re-
.ligious.
Perhaps the most striking example
of Mrs. Wilson's simplicity and dis
like for society and social functions
was the abandoning Of the inaugural.
ball! and other semi-public affairs which
had been considered part Of the obli-
cations Of q presidents wife.
Canada Guards ElevatorA
Fort William, Ont. Aug. S.-Fearing
attempts may be made by German:
agents ito hamper Canadian shipping
by blowing UP elevators on the Great
Lakes, Colonel Laurie has ordered
troops stationed at all grain houses. {