The Democratic banner. (Mt. Vernon, Ohio) 1898-192?, 1914-08-11


dent Wilson and her three daughters
at her bedside, Mrs. Ellen Axson |
Wilson, wife of the president and
first lady of the land" died at the |
White House.
The president was prostrated. His
three bereaved daughters were also
broken with grief. Secretary Tumulty
announced the death of Mrs. Wilson.
Death resulted from brights dis
ease. from which she had been a suf-
ferer since she came to the White
House. Recently this had been ag-
gravated by general nervous break
down, which began when she was In
1ured by a fall on the marble floor
Of the White House in February and
was accelerated by the strenuous so.
cial season and activity in social set
tlement work and other humanitarian
endeavors.
Shortly before her death Mrs Will
son was cheered by the announce
ment that the senate had passed the
Johnson bill abolishing slums in the
capital, for which she had worked
zealously last fall
She had told the president she be-
lieved she could go more cheerfully
If she knew the bill was passed The
president through Secretary Tumulty
communicated Mrs. Wilson's wish to
congress, and the task of enacting
the bill with extraordinary haste was
undertaken. AS soon as the presi-
dent learned of the passage of the
bill by the senate he fastened to
carry the news to the sick room.
Some time after this, when the
president was absent from the sick
room for few minutes, Mrs. Wilson
sent for DR.. Cary T. Grayson and
said to him.
Solictous For Husband.
Doctor, if / go away, promise me
you will take good care OF my hus-
band"
1t was her last speech of many
words, In few minutes she sank
into stupor and during the after
noon rallied only enough strength to
speak in monosyllables.
Mrs. Wilson was Ellen Louise AK
son, the daughter of the Rev. Samuel
Axson and Margaret Jane (Poit) AK
son. She was born at Savannah, Ga,
and was educated at the Womans
college at Rome, Ca, and later stud
led at the Art Students league in
New York.
Mrs. Wilson was married to Wood
row Wilson on June "a, 1855, at her
al IN. To-. &c
were dead at the time, but she went
back to Savannah to be married for
sentimental reasons. Mr.. Wilson
courted Miss Axson while she was at
Rome, Ca, where she was known as
one of the most beautiful women Of
the south. Mrs. Wilson sprang from
long line Of Presbyterian preach
ers, who had lived in the south. Her
paternal grandfather was a distin-
guished clergyman in Savannah and
her grandfather on her mothers side
was the Rev. Nathan Hoyt, for many
years pastor of the Presbyterian
church at Athens, Ca Her father
was pastor of church at Rome, Ca,
when Mr.. Wilson won her hand. Mr..
Wilson was at that time practicing
law in Atlanta. Ga. He escorted Miss
Axson the first evening they met and
had seen her only eleven times when
they became engaged.
The year they were married Mr..
Wilson accepted a professorship of
history and political economy at Bryn
Mawr college, where as the wife of
the young educator Mrs. Wilson
quickly attracted attention by her
ready wit and her faculty for charm
ing entertainments. Mrs. Wilson
brother, Stockton Axson, is a profes-
sor Of English history in Princeton
university. The only other relatives
of Mrs. Wilson who are living are
the children of Randolph Axson, hel
fathers brother. OF these B. Palmer
Axson is living in Savannah, Ran
dolph ]. X. Axson and Leila and Car
rie Bell Axson in Atlanta, and Mrs
Leeare Walker in Summeryille, S. c
After her marriage Mrs. Wilson di
vided her time between household
duties and painting, an art which sh'
had developed at the Art Students
league in New York city. In paint
ing Mrs. Wilson showed considerably
skill, producing several canvasse
which have been put on exhibition