Evening star., 1914-08-12
CHILDREN IN WHITE
LINE WAY TO GRAVE
Mrs. Wilson Is Buried Beside
Her Parents in Cemetery
at Rome, Ga.
SIMPLE SERVICES MARK
RITES AT CHILDHOOD HOME
Heavy Rain Falls as Coffin Is Con-
signed to Earth-President Can
not Hide His Grief.

ROME Ga August 12.-Mrs Wood
row Wilson, wife of the nations Pres
ident, was buried here yesterday at
Myrtle Hill cemetery. Rain fell in tor
rents while the casket was being low
cred into the grave. which is beside
those of Mrs. Wilson's father and
mother, almost within sight of the
house in which she lived as girl
Last night the President was speeding
eastward on his return to Washington.
Although thousands of visitors came
to Rome yesterday to do honor to the
memory of Mrs. Wilson. a Sabbath
like quiet prevailed. The special force
of police, augmented by members of
the Georgia National Guard, found lit
tie to do beyond warning traffic from
the streets through which the process
sion moved
1t was exactly 2:30 pm. when the
presidential special arrived, and few
minutes later the casket. covered with
gray broadcloth and bearing a single
wreath of flowers. was lifted from the
funeral car by eight of Mrs. wilson's
cousins and borne to the hearse
Bells Toll as Train Arrives.
As the train steamed into the station
church bells throughout the city were
tolied A wide space had been cleared
about the station, and the thousands
of people assembled there stood back
respectfully. Those who bore the cas-
ket were Edward T. Brown. Atlanta;
Ronert NJ. Hoyt. Wade c. Hoyt and
Nathan Hoyt, Rome, B. +. AXSon, Sa-
vannah: Randolph AXSon and Edward
T. Brown, ir., and Frank c. Gebreth,
Atlanta.
The President, followed by Secretary
and Mrs. McAdoo. Mr.. and Mrs. Sayre
Miss Wilson. Prof. Axson and other
near relatives and members of the
party, quickly left the train and entered
their carriages. The procession then
moS ed through hlack-draped streets to
the Fiyst Presbyterian Church.
More than 500 relatives and friends
of the Wilson and .Axson families al
ready were gathered in the little church
which Mrs. Wilson used to attend when
her father. Rev. Edward S. Axson, was
pastor there The church was draped in
black, with intertwined wreaths of
white flowers. on one wall was white
marble tablet to the memory of Mrs.
Wilson'S father. Flowers were piled
high about the catafalque
Favorite Hymns at Service.
AS the President entered. following
the casket, Chopins Funeral March
was played on the organ. simple.
short service was conducted by the Rev.
6. G. Sydnor. the local pastor. The Pres
fdent, his daughters, Secretary McAdoo
and Mr.. Sayre occupied the front pew
in the center, and back of them were
other members of the family. DIR. Gray
son and Secretary Tumulty. Two old
hymns. girlhood favorites of Mrs Will
son. We're sung by the church choir.
from the Scriptures and spoke of the
beauty and charity of Mrs. Wilson's
life
AS soon as the church service was end
ed the short journey to Myrtle Hill ceme-
terry was begun. School girls, dressed in
white and holding laurel branches. lined
the streets through which the procession
passed. Behind them were thousands of
people. with barred heads bowed silent
and sorrowful.
The cortege was close to the cemetery
when rain began to fall The downpour
soon became torrential. tent erected
over the grave gave partial shelter to the
family group, but the thousands of peo-
without protection.
Last Moments at Grave.
Services at the grave were brief and of
impressive simplicity. The President
stood with bowed head as the final rites
were performed. As he stood there with
his daughters Mr. Wilson made no ef-
tort to conceal his grief. AS the hushed
voice OF the preacher read the burial
service ihe Presidents form was visibly
shaken by emotion and the tears stream
ID down his cheeks. Others of the party
,vept silently aud softly.
After the final benediction was pro-
nounced the President slowly returned 10
Ii S carriage His eyes were those of
one dazed but his step was firm, and his
ace was stern and set.
After the casket was lowered and the
grave filled. heaps of flowers, the trib-
ute OF the nation, were piled high over
the tomb.
Cortege Passes Childhood Home.
on the way to the cemetery the pro-
cession passed the house where Mrs.
Wilson lived as a girl. and another
spot above the banks of the Etawah
river, where tradition has it that she
promised to become the future Presi-
dents bride. Nearby was statue to
the women of the south. the inscrip-
tion on which was written by the
President a few years ago.
On every side were scenes which re-
called vividly to him the days of his
young manhood and sweet memories of
the one who no longer will be his
counselor and comfort.
Less than four hours from the time
the funeral train arrived the President
and his party We're once more on board
their special cars and the return jour
ney was begun.
The Presidents train is due in Wash
ington at 8 o'clock this afternoon
RUSSIANS WING AIRSHIP.