The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1915-10-13
PRESIDENT TO WEO
A PRETTY WIDOW
MRS. NORMA GAIT TO BE BRIDE
OF PRESIDENT WILSON
SOON.
A PRETTY WIDOW
OF 38 SUMMERS
Marriage Will Probably Take Place
in December.


wilson, the President of the United
States, announced tonight his en-
gsgement to Mrs. Norman Gait, of
Washington. The date of the we'd
ding has not been fixed, but it proba-
MY will take place in December at
the home of the briIe-elect.
The brief announcement from the
White House, made by Secretary
1umulty, came as surprise to off,
cial Washington, but to number of
intimate friends it long had been ex-
pected. From this circle came tonight
the story of friendship whose culmi-
ration was viewed as happy turn in
:fe troubled and lonely life of the
nations Chief Executive.
1t was Miss Margaret Wilson and
/ er cousin, Miss Helen Woodrow
Bones, who drew Mrs. Gait into the
White House circle. They met her in
the early autumn of last year and
we're so much attracted by her that
they sought her out more end more
frequently. Mrs Gait spent month
this summer at Cornish as a guest of
the Presidents eldest daughter. It
was through the intimacy of his
4: lighter and cousin with Mrs. Gait
that the President had an opportunity
10 meet and know her. One of the
M st interesting things about the en-
gagement, indeed, as told by friends,
is that the Presidents daughters
chose Mrs. Gait for their admiration
and friendship before their father
did.
Native of Virginia.
Mrs. Gait is the widow of a we'll
Known business man of Washington,
who died eight years ago, leaving a
jcwelry business that still bears his
name. She has lived in Washington
since her marriage in 1896. She is
ehout 38 years old and was Miss
Edith Boiling, born in Wytheville,
Vs., where her girlhood was spent,
ard where her father, William H.
Bolling, was a prominent lawyer.
For many weeks Mrs. Gait and her
relatives have been frequent dinner
guests at the White House. Often she
has accompanied the President on
motor rides. She is not quite as tall
ac Mr.. Wilson, has dark hair and
dark eyes. Friends regard FER as an
unusual beauty. Her tastes are said
to be strikingly similar to those OF
the President. She is interested in
literature and charity work.
Friends of the President expressed
their pleasure over the announce
ment tonight not only because of
Mr.. Wilson's personal happiness, but
because they felt this new compan-
ionship would give him support and
comfort in his home life-a vital need
during the hours of strian ever the
ration's problems.
Too Much Solitude.
With the marriage of his daughters
and the death of Mrs. Wilson, more
than year ago, the Presidents life
had become one of solitude His abb
sorption in official labors began to tell
en- him physically, and when a few
1aonths ago he began to take re-
new ed interest in personal affairs, his
trends and members of the family
welcomed the distinct change which
it brought about in his health and
spirits. Tonight Mrs Gait was a din
ner guest at the White House. At the
mt ment when Secretary Tumulty
stood in the executive offices announ-
cling the engagement to Washington
correspondents summoned for the
occasion, the President and Mrs Gait
were spending the evening with DR..
Carey T. Grayson and Miss Bones, in
the White House parlors.
The news was given out in brief
statement, which read:
''The announcement was made to-
day of the engagement Of Mrs. Nor
man Gait, of this city, and Presiden:
Woodrow Wilson,"
N& word as to plans for the we'd
ding were available, but it generally
i; presumed that Mrs. Gait, who Is
Of democratic tastes, will prefer =
r"ivatc wedding in her own home to
ore in the White House.
While House Weddings.
Grover Cleveland WAS the last Pres
iGcnt to be married in the White