The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1914-08-06

chung desperately to the hope that
she might survive the crisis. but her
frail constitution drained by months
of never-ending illness, has been un-
able to withstand the battle.
injured Her Spine.
One day last March, Mrs. Wilson
slipped on rug at the white house.
injuring her spine. An operation was
necessary. After weeks of GONZALES
ence she finally rose from her bed,
but the burden of winters activity
at the white house, together with
charity work in the slums of the city,
brought on nervous prostration. She
was not well enough to attend the
wedding of her second daughter, nor
Mrs. William G. McAdoOs but her re-
cooperative powers were not lasting.
Stomach trouble added to her nervous
ailment and Bright's disease develop
ed.
Three weeks ago she seemed to
rally and was well enough to walk,
supported by nurse, in the white
house grounds. She watched with
satisfaction az gardeners laid out the
last of the Italian gardens which she
had planned for the south front of the
Executive mansion. A marble statue
Of boy playing a flute was placed, at
her direction, in the gardens near the
executive Offices. With her taste for
he artistic. developed in many years
of landscape painting, she practically
lad re-arranged the gardening of the
white house in symmetry of hedges
and flowers.
Refused to Leave Him.
With, her apparent recovery, the
president urged that his wife go to
cooler climate. The heat of Wash
,ngton was particularly oppressive,
,ut she steadfastly declined to leave
Ter husband. She took an active in
serest in the contest over the eonfir-
nation of Thomas B. Jones as a men,
Der of the federal reserve board, and
:alled for many a-document on con-
;ressional affairs. The relapse came
asst week, and since she has been
linking rapidly. Only .membrs of the
amily were admitted to the sick
oom. She had lost in weight until
Ter thin form seemed but shadow
If her former self.
Day and night the family has
watched anxiously over her for the
,ast few days. yesterday her pulse
stopped beating for a few moments.
oxygen and other restoratives were
lpplied. Early today she seemed
somewhat better but late today grew
worse.
The president. always most sensit-
We about exaggerated reports about
members of his family, authorized no
,ficiai announcement about Mrs. viii
sons health. He had hoped that she
night vt recover. Today, however,
here was a change. White house
officials acknowledged the gravity OF
he patients condition and revealed
hat while hoping against hope, the
md was dangerously near.
Cause Of Breakdown.
The strain Of her duties as mistress
If the white house and her own un-
iring efforts to help many an un-
known and friendless person who has
appealed to her, are said to be direct
ly responsible for her breakdown.
Mrs. Wilson receivd many delegations
which her husband was too busy to
zee. Her mail is voluminous and she
has insisted On attending in person to
many appeals for help that came to
her. She has been particularly active
since coming to Washington bettering
conditions in the slums and securing
an improvement in alley conditions.
Throughout the administration of
her husband she has taken the Same
keen interest in his work as she did
In previous years when he was g.,y-
ernor Of New Jersey and president of
Princeton. She lends he. counsel ami
advice on many a weights subject Of
state.
Miss Helen Woodrow Bones, the
presidents cousin, who has been liv-
ing in the Wilson household for the
last two years and has been dcsoting
hr time as personal secretary TO Mrs.
Wilson, also broke down recently and
is very sick at present, thoGgh not
grayely. She. too, is suffering from
nervousness and the inner white
house for weeks has held q. story of
heart-rending grief for the president
Of the United States and his daugh-
ters.
Mrs. w. G. McAdoo. youngest daugh-
er of the president, has been in the
city constantly and has been at the