Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1914-08-07
MRS. WOODROW WILSON
Continued from Page y

ly at Mrs. Wilson's bedside. The
President held his wife's hand and the
three daughters were grouped nearby.
Until she became unconscious, Mrs.
Wilson frequently nodded to one or
the other and smiled cheerfully.
Devotion to Husband
During the day, Mrs. Wilson spoke
to DR.. Grayson about the President,
whose health she thought more about
than she did of her own.
Promise me-" she whispered family,
that If go, you will take care of my
husband. 1t 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 official
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 Nc
Adoo and Secretary Tumulty stayed out
side the door. Mrs. Wilson lapsei into
Inconsistencies, but rallied. BY one
o'clock she began to sink rapidly. She
could still recognize those about her.
however, and looked cheerfully toward
them with the same sweet smile that
will finger long in the memory of the
many who knew her. 1t was charac-
teristic expression OF sweetness which
officials and their families as well as peo-
pie in the slums whom she had befriend-
ed. had learned to love-
Sinks Into Last Sleep
At o'clock Mrs. Wilson was still con-
scious, but her strength had almost de-
parted and a few minutes later she sank
into the sleep of Inconsistencies from
which she never awoke. 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 The sun. was casting its
long shadows from the Potomac to the
South grounds. coloring the fountains.
gardens and elms
Tumulty Makes Announcement
Just at he hour of five, death came.
The President and his daughters
were in tears. Secretary Tumulty
walked slowly to the executives Of
fees. his head bowed
Quietly he announced to the cor
respondent that the end had come. A
pail of gloom settled over the execu-
tive mansion and the offices. Pres
| emily DR.. Grayson, his face haggard
| and worn from day and night vigil,
came to the offices. There was an
impressive silence everywhere. Sec
retaries, attaches, clerks and servants
seemed overcome.
Houses adjourn
Vice President Marshall and MEM
oers of the cabinet and the leaders
in Congress were notified. Both houses
promptly adjourned. The flag on the
"hite House was dropped. gates were
closed and the silence Of death spread
over the White House for the first
time since 1892, when Mrs. BENJAMIN
Harrison passed away.
Funeral arrangements have mot vet
oeen made. The place Of burial will
De either Rome, Ga. Mrs. Wilson's
chliohood home, or Princeton. N r.
"here the family has lived for %
years.
MIS-. wilson had told the President
TINS morning she would more cheer
tuuy 80 away if the bill for the i'm
preVement OF alleys were passed NV
congress. A word to leaders from Sec.
rotary Tumulty and the measure was
aoop'eo In silence by the Senate and
soon reported in the House, where II
VIII De passed tomorrow. She learned
,hat TIE measure would be q law in
another day or so. and expressed her
satisfaction. She had become deenIv
interested in the social welfare Of the
community and had worked always
without seeking the aid of the presi-
uent. 1t was the strain of this. the du-
ties OF entertainment and the kidney
trouble which became chronic last an
tumn that sapped her life.
Mrs. Wilson took an acr,ve ir,arr.
IN tue career of her husband in his
contests with Congress over Ieg,sla-
tlon and the numerous official duties
with which he was burdened. Through
ou, NE she had been his constant
heipmate and advisor. Her clear iudg-
Inent on political affairs and broad
view of educational subjects had been
source Of qualification to him for
years.