The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1915-10-09
president. She is interested in litera-
ture and charity work.

ture 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 be-
cause they felt this new companion-
ship would give him support and com
fort in his home life--a vital need
during the hours Of strain over the
nations problems. With the mar
riage of his daughters and the death
OF Mrs. Wilson, more than a year
ago, the presidents life had become
one of solitude. His absorption in Of
fcial labors began to tell on him ply
sically, and when a few months ago
ne began to take a renewed 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 a dinner
guest at the White House. At the mo-
ment when Secretary Tumulty stood
in the executive offices announcing the
engagement to Washington corre-
spondents, summoned for the occa-
sion, 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 a 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
Is presumed that Mrs. Gait, who is
OF democratic tastes, will prefer
private wedding in her own home to
one in the White House.
Grover Cleveland was the last pres
ident married in the White House.
Should Mr.. Wilson eventually decide
to be married there it would be the
third wedding in the mansion under
his administration. The first was be-
tween Miss Jessie Woodrow Wilson
and Francis 3. Sayrc and the second
between Secretary McAdoo and Miss
Eleanor Wilson.
The announcement Of the engage
ment was regarded generally as
forerunner Of an interesting social
season for Washington with the new
first lady of the land at the head of
the receiving line at official recep-
tions. The wedding, It is understood,
will take place before the first Of the
series of state receptions and dinners
is held.
Mrs. Gait was present at the first
social affair participated in by the
president and Miss Margaret Wilson
in more than n year. 1t was a tea
given by Miss Wilson to neighbors in
the artist colony at Cornish, N. H.
Since the return of the president
to Washington he and Mrs. Gait have
spent many evenings together, some
times at the White House and often
at her home. Last week Mrs. Gait
occupied at prominent seat in the
presidents reviewing stand at the c.
A. X. parade. She was with her mother
in the midst Of a circle Of the presi-
dents friends and with cabinet men,
bers. Some of the presidents friends
who may have had an inkling Of to-
days announcement were gathered
about Mrs. Gait in animated conver-
satiOn.
The president was in q happy mood
tonight. The satisfactory settlement of
the Arabic case and the disposition of
many other important questions pend
ing, together with the announcement
of his engagement. had buoyed his
spirits. He will go to Philadelphia
Saturday to attend the worlds series
and it is likely that Mrs. Gait, to-
gethcr with Miss Bones and other
members OF the presidents family
will be in the party.