Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1914-08-07
Flood of Messages Comes
From All Parts of United
States and World.
PAY TRIBUTE TO WIFE
Many Messages Contain Refer
enCeS to Mrs. Wilson's Re-
gard for the Needy.

Washington, d. c., Aug. Mes
sages from every part of the United
States and from abroad poured into
the White house today bearing sympa-
thetic expressions from thousands for
President Wilson and his daughters
on the death of Mrs. Wilson.
Bearing up well under his grief, the
president went to his desk early to
sign few important papers and i'm
mediately returned to the White
house. The cabinet meetings have
been cancelled, and for the next few
days the president will see only Off
Cials with important business. A
flood of messages came from persons
in every walk of life in every state.
Most of them contained references
t. Mrs. Wilson's regard for the unfor-
tunate. Many praised the president
for his great bravery under the trying
circumstances tha> were crowding
round him in his hour of trial
The president notified ieacers OF the
house and senate he is DESTROYS that
congress continue In session without
interruption.
The funeral services at the White
house will be private.
The Last Hour.
Flowers arrived throughout the day
from people in all walks of life. Mrs.
Wilson's body was kept today in the
room where she died. The president
went into the room at midnight and
several times today and sat alone.
The scene at the deathbed was re-
I1I hxrT As the |
last hour drew near. the president sat |
on the bedside, clasping his wife's
hand, while Mrs. McAdoo, Mrs. Sayre |
and Miss Wilson knelt on the floor,
their eyes upon the mothers face. DR.. |
Grayson and the nurse came in. The |
president looked beseechingly to the
doctor for some sign of encourage
melt. No words were spoken. AL
though Mrs. Wilson was unconscious,
she smiled. At 5Ho'clock DIR. Grayson
leaned over the patient and realized
the end had come. He murmured to
the president, whose head fell forward
with grief, while his daughters sobbed.
Speaker Clark is at the head of a
from the house composed
Of one member from each state, to at
tend the funeral.
End Came at 5 O'clock.
Washington, Aug. Mrs. Helen
Louise Axson Wilson, wife of the
president of the United States, de-
voted heIpmate and mother, died yes
terday at the White house.
The first lady of the land" sue
cumbed at o'clock in the afternoon.
The historic mansion is in mourning
today. with President Wilson and his
daughters and sons-in-law weeping
over the loss they suffered, but buoy
ed I'D by the memory of the purity and
Early In the day Mrs. Wilson told
the president she would pass away
much more contentedly if she knew
that congress had passed a bill in
which she was deeply interested, pro-
yiding for better housing arrange
nerss in the slum alleys of Washing
.on.
At the presidents instance congress
acted quickly. Before she lost con-
,ciousness Mrs. Wilson had the salts
action of knowing the measure had
been passed by the senate and that Z
he house would follow suit immedi-
.tely. 1
Last Request for Husband.
Shortly before 1 o'clock Mrs. wilson :
,alIed Surgeon Grayson to her bedside !
ma whispered:
Doctor, If / go away, promise me {
hat you will take good care of my I
She never spoke again, but In oc-
.asional returns of consciousness turn
"A her ewes TO the president and her
daughters, each in turn. and indicated
,v a smile that she recognized them.
President Wilson did not abandon [
zone for the recovery OF Mrs Wilson :
until yesterday morning. There had I
,een a slight improvement in her con- 1
lition during the night and this gave
round for encouragement.
Learn Illness Is Fatal. '
Al Q o'clock, however. DIR. Edward
'arke Davis OF Philadelphia. who at
ended the president and Mrs. wilson