The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1915-10-08
PRESIDENT : WILSON
TO Wed SOON
MRS. NORMAN GAIT TO BE PRES
DENTS BRIDE.
Future First Lady of the Land Is a
Beautiful Woman With Dark
Eyes and Hair.

Washington, Oct. 6.-Woodrow Will
son, the president Of the United States,
announced tonight his engagement to
Mrs. Norman Gait Of Washington. The
date of the wedding has not been fixed,
but it probably will take place i'll De-
cember at the home of the bride-elect.
| The brief announcement from the
| White House, made by Secretary Tu-
multy, came as a surprise to Official
Washington, but to number of init
mate friends it long had been expected.
From this circle came tonight the story
of friendship whose elimination was
viewed as happy turn in the troubled
and lonely life of the nations chief
executive.
1t was Miss Margaret Wilson and
her 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 were
so much attracted by her that they
sought her out more and more fire.
| quently Mrs Gait spent a month this
summer at Cornish as guest Of the
presidents oldest daughter. 1t was
through the intimacy of his daughter
| and cousin with Mrs. Gait that the
president had an opportunity to meet
and know her. One of the most inter-
esting things about the engagement,
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
ljewelry business that still bears his
name She. has lived in Washington
since her marriage in 1896. She is
about 80 years old and was Miss Edith
Boiling, born in Wytheville, Va, where
aer girlhood was spent, and where her
father, William H. Boiling, was
prominent lawyer.
For many weeks Mrs. Calf and her
RELATIVES have been frequent dinner
guests at the White House. Otter she
has accompanied the president on mo-
tor rides. She is not quite as tall as
! Mr. Wilson, has dark hair and dark
eyes Friends regard ner as an un-
usual beauty Her tastes are said to
be strikingly similar to those of the
president. She is interested in litera-
ture and charity work.
Friends of the president expressed
their pleasure over the announcement
tonight, not only because Of Mr.. Will
sons personal happiness, but because
they felt this new companionship
would give him support and comfort
in his home life-a vital need during
the hours of strain over the nations
problems.
Too Much Solitude.
With the marriage of nis daughters
and the death of Mrs Wilson, more
than a year ago, the presidents life
had become one of solitude. His abb
sorption in official labors began to tell
on him physically, and when few
mouths ago re began to take re-
newed interest in personal affairs, his
friends and members Of the family
welcomed the distinct change which
It brought about in his health and
spirits. Tonight Mrs. Gait was din
ner guest at the White House At the
moment when Secretary Tumulty
Istood in the executive offices announc-
ing the engagement to Washington
correspondents summoned for the oc-
casion, 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 President
Woodrow Wilson"
| No word as to plans for the we'd
ding were available. but it generally
Eichelberger (Iglebergers), S