Evening star., 1914-08-07
MRS. WILSON DIES
At WHITE HOUSE
Continued from First Page,

the government departments to close in
honor of the memory of Mrs. Wilson.
When he learned that Congress. too. pro-
should not be done and indicated that the
White House family did not wish to be
regarded differently from any other to
which similar sorrow has come.
Visitors who went near the White House
TODAY found the big iron gates securely
fastened and a policeman in charge, the
first time in years, except during state
functions, that the grounds have been
entirely closed. From the main front
door of the White House hung black
crepe
President Wilson remained in the
White House with the members of his
family. except for few minutes In
the morning when he visited the ex-
ecutive offices to sign important pa
pers that could not he passed over.
There We're laid before him some of
the thousands of kilograms of condo
lence that have been pouring in since
yesterday afternoon, and he was great
1y affected on reading several of them.
The kilograms expressed the universal
love and esteem of the nation for the
mistress of the White House and
touching sympathy for the President
and his family. From high and low
they came in, all night and today, over
many telegraph wires.
Mrs. Wilson's lifelong work for the
poor and oppressed was remembered
by hundreds of those in the ranks,
many of whom probably possessed
barely enough cash to pay the tolls
upon the telegraphed expressions from
their sorrow -burdened hearts.
Streams of Personal Callers.
The executive Offices remained open,
with Secretary Tumulty in charge. and
there were streams of personal callers.
senators, representatives and others. con-
veying messages of sorrow and offers of
service Yesterday afternoon and last
night members of the cabinet, justices of
the Supreme Court, judges of other courts
and members of the diplomatic corps tele
phoned their condolences and sent cards,
while from many humble homes have come
flowers, as Mrs. Wilson had made grateful
friends in her endeavors to befriend the
friendless and to aid the poverty stricken.
The chief thought of Mrs. Wilson until
she lapsed into Inconsistencies just after
, o'clock yesterday afternoon was for
her husband. Once turning to DR.. Gray
son, as he stood by her bedside. she
family whispered, Promise me, doctor
that if 1 go You will take good care of
my husband" and she smiled as the
physician. liked by all in the White House,
gravely nodded his head.
Kneeling at the bedside at the end were
the President and his three daughters,
who had been summoned in the last few
days. DR.. Grayson and a nurse were in
the room, and outside the door were Sec
retary McAdoo and Francis B. Sayre
sons-in-law, and Secretary Tumulty. For
some hours the end had been expected
The physicians had prepared the Presi-
dent and family for the end. At intervals
Mrs. Wilson rallied, and just before the
last sinking spell she recognized her
daughters and others, and her sweet
smile will linger long in their memories
News Comes as Shock to City.
Secretary Tumulty, his face wet with
tears, madesthe official announcement
of the death to the newspaper men a
few minutes after o'clock. Gloom
settled over the executive mansion and
throughout the city when the fact be-
came known.
Tidings of the death of Mrs. Wilson
came as a shock to the people Of
Washington, in all walks of life. She
had endeared herself to friends, ac
quaintances and the masses who had
not known her personally. Ever since
she had arrived in Washington she
lines of charitable work being done
here and in measures for the better
ment of the poor.
President Wilson. bearing up bravely
under the shock, deprived OF his main prop
in life, sent kilograms late yesterday to
immediate relatives and asked Secretary
TumuIty to express his appreciation of the
many condolences that had even then be-
gun to pour in.
Relatives of the family now at the White
House are George Howe. the Presidents
nephew, from Columbia. S. C.; E. T.
Brown. a relative of Mrs. Wilson. from
Atlanta, and Joseph Wilson of Baltimore.
brother of the President others are on the
telegram received
Edward Elliott. the only sister of Mrs.
Wilson. saying that Mrs. Elliott is too i'll
at her Calisprnia home to come to the
funeral