Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1914-08-08
| Mrs. Wilson's bedside.


| and the three daughters were grouped
nearby. Until she became unconscious
} Mrs Wilson frequently nodded to one
or the other and smiled cheerfully
During the day Mrs. Wilson spoke to
DR.. Grayson about the president,
whose health she thought more about
than she did of her own.
Deep Devotion For Husband.
Promise me- she whispered
Ifaintly, that if go, you will take care
of my husband"
It was the same touch of devotion,
which she had so many times repeated
her constant anxiety having been
that the president might not worry
about her or be disturbed in his ottlc-
ial tasks.
The president returned to the sick
room from the last conference with the
doctor, his three daughters leaning on
his arm. Francis Bowes Sayre and
,Secretary McAdoo and Secretary Tum-
ulty STAYED outside the door. Mrs
Wilson lapsed into Inconsistencies,
but rallied. BY o'clock she began to
sink rapidly She could still recog-
rize those about her, however, and
looked cheerfully toward them with
!
long in the memory of the many who
expression of sweetness which officials
and their families as well as people IN
the slums whom she had befriended
had learned to love.
At 2 O'Clock Mrs Wilson was stin
conscious but her strength had almost
departed and few minutes later she
sank into the sleep of inconsistencies
from which she never woke. For three
hours, the president and his three
daughters gaZed longingly into her
eyes in the hope that she might speak
to them again but she could not.
President in Tears.
Just at the hour of 5, death came.
The president and his daughters were
! in tears. Secretary Tumulty walked
slowly to the executive Offices, his
head bowed. Quietly he announced to
the correspondents that the end had
come pail of gloom settled over the
executive mansion and the offices.
Presently Dr. Grayson, his face bag.
gard and worn from day, and night
vigil, came to the offices. There was
an impressive silence everywhere.
Secretaries, attaches, clerks and serv-
ants seemed overcome.
| Vice President Marshall and men,
bers Of the cabinet and the leaders In
congress were notified. Both houses
promptly adjourned. The flag on the
white house was dropped, gates were
closed and the silence of death spread
over the white house for the first time
since 1892 when Mrs. Banjamin Har-
rison passed away.
Her Last Wish Respected.
She had told the president Thurs
day morning she would more cheerful
ly go away if the bill for the I'M
provement of alleys were passed by
congress. A word to leaders from Sec
rotary Tumulty and the measure was
adopted in silence by the senate and
soon reported in the house where 1t
will be passed today. She learned
that the measure would be law in
another day or so and expressed her
satisfaction. She had become deeply
interested in the social welfare OF the
community and had worked always
without seeking the aid of the pres1-
dent 1t was the strain of this, The
duties Of entertainment and the kidney
trouble which became chronic last
autumn that Slapped her life.
A Real HeIpmate.
Mrs. Wilson took an active interest
in the career Of her husband, In his
contests with congress over legisla-
ton and the numerous official duties
with which he was burdened. Through.
out life she has been his constant help,
mate and companion. Her clear judg-
ment on political affairs and broad
Views of educational questions had
been a source of qualification to him
for years.
Professor Stockton Arson of Prince
ton university, Mrs. Wilson'S brother,
WAS summoned Thursday morning
from Oregon, where he had been on a
"trip, and an effort was made last even
ling to get message to him OF Mrs.
WILSON'S death.
In Poor Health Since February.
Mrs. Wilson had been in Door health