Idaho County free press. [volume] (Grangeville, Idaho Territory) 1886-current, 1914-08-13
HEAVENS WEPT AT LAST SCENE
AT GRAVE OF MRS. WILSON.
CONTINUED from page H.


AT GRAVE OF MRS. WILSON.
Continued from page H.
MISS Wilson, Professor Arson and other
near relatives and members of the
party quickly left the train and enter
ed their carriages. The procession then
moved through black draped streets
to the First Presbyterian church.
More than 500 relatives and friends
OF the Wilson and Arson families al
ready were gathered in the little church
which Mrs. Wilsos used to attend when
her father, Rev. Edward s. Arson. was
pastor there. The church was draped
in black, with intertwined wreaths of
white flowers. On one wall was n
white marble tablet to the mensvy of
Mrs. Wilson 8 father. Flowers were
piled high above the catafalque.
AS the pesident entered, following tn.
coffin, Chopin funeral march was
played on the organ. A simple short
service was conducted by Rev. G. q.
Sydnor, the local pastor. The president,
his daughters, Secretary McAdoo and
Mr. Sayre, occupied the front pew in
the center and back of them were other
members of the family, DR.. Grayson
and Secretary Tumulty. Tho old hymns.
girlhood favorites of Mrs. Wilson. were
sung by the church choir. Rev. DR.,
Sydnor then read briefly from the
Scriptures and spoke of the beauty and
charity of Mrs. Wilson's life.
AS soon as the church service was
ended, the short journey to MYRTLE
Hill cemetery was begun. School girls,
dressed in white and holding laurel
branches, lined the streets through
which the procession passed. Behind
them were thousands o f people with
barred heads, bowed, silent and sorrow
full.
The cortege was close to the GENE.
terry when rain began to fall. The
downpour soon became torrent;al. A
tent erected over the grave gave par.
tial shelter to the family coup, hut the
thousands of persons who came to wit
ness the burial Nere without protection.
Services at the grave were brief
and of impressive simplicity. The !
pesident stood with head bowed as
the final rites were performed As he
stood there with his daughtes, Mr.. Will
son made no effort to conceal his grief
As the hushed voice of the preacher
reached the burial service, the presi-
dents form was visibly shaken by emo
tion and the tears streamed down his
cheeks. Others of the party wept
silently and softly.
After the final benediction was pro.
nounced, the president slowly returned
to his carriage. His eyes were as those
of one dazed, but his step was firm and
his face was stern and set
After the casket was lowered and
the grave filled, heaps of flowers, the
tribute of the nation, were piled high
over the tomb.
On the way to the cemetery the pro-
session passed the house where Mrs
Wilson lived as girl, and another
spot above on the banks of the Etowan
river, where tradition has it that she
promised to become the future presi-
lent IS bride. Near by was a statue of
he women of the south, the inscription
IN which was written by the president
| few years ago.
President Wilson remained by the
grave until the coffin had been GOV.
red with concrete and steel. At the
read Of the grave stands a plain white
tone, bearing the names Of Mrs. Will
on g father and mother.
t is understood the president later will
AVE large monument erected.
Tonight Professor Arson sent the fol.
owing telegram to Mrs. Edward Elliott.
Mrs. Wilson g only sister, whose illness
n California prevented her from at
ending the funeral:
awe have buried sister between
ather aud MOTHER