Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1915-10-07
Mrs. Norman Gait, Charm
ing Widow, toy Be White
House Mistress.
NEWS CREATES
GREAT SURPRISE
Wedding 70 Take Place at Home Of
Bride in Washington and Not at
White House-Mrs. Gait Regarded az
Woman Of Rare Beauty and Charm
Frequent Companion Of President
and Children During Recent Months.

Frequent Companion Of President
and Children During Recent Months.
Washington, Oct president Will
son and Mrs. Norman Gait, whose en-
gagement was announced last night,
probably will be married the first week
in December The wedding will take
place at the home Of the bride on New
Hampshire avenue. near Dupont circle.
Congratulations came to the presi-
dent today from officials, friends and
relatives.
The fact the president of the United
States had decided to marry again
gave the national capital a topic of
absorbing interest which, for the mo-
ment, overshadowed all questions OF
international or dom este politics.
Widow Becomes chum.
The news came as surprise to all
but q few intimate friends who knew
that the friendship of the president
for Mrs, Gait had developed into an
intimacy that presaged marriage. That
the president was known. because she
appeared frequently with him not only
on motor rides but at baseball games.
The presidents incessant labor alone
In the White House during the period
of mourning had affected his spirits.
When he began to take renewed In
.terest In personal Affairs his friends
noticed q change for the better In his
health and tho energy with which he
attacked public problems before him.
Mrs. Gait II regarded al woman OF
rare beauty and charm She 10 about
SO years Of age. youthful In appear
ancs and simple In her tastes. She -
the widow OF . wen known business
man Of Washington who died eight
years ago. She was married IN 1896.
Before that she was Miss Edith Bow
ling. of wythsville. Va Her father
was William II Bowling. lawyer Of
distinction.
Met About q Year Ago.
Mr.. Wilson met Mrs. Gait for the
first time few months. after the death
Of Mrs. Wilson 4 year ago last August.
It was not until last spring. however.
that Ne began to evince more than
casual interest in the widow. who was
so frequently the guest 9: his daugh-
ter. Margaret and his cousin, Miss
Helen Woodrow Bones.
DR.. Cary Grayson. the presidents
aid and physician. It appears. was the
means Of bringing the president and
Mrs. Calf together. It was Miss Bones,
who has made her home with the
presidents family for several years,
who really fostered the romance
Companion Of Wilson'S Cousin.
Late in the summer Of 1914. Miss
Bones was convalescing from an Ill
ness which was the result OF her close
confinement while caring for Mrs.
Wilson during her last Illness. DR..
Grayson. who was also her attending
ordered Miss Bones to take
long walks every day, and for few
weeks she walked alone about The city
but found the occupation most dis
tasteful, She complained to her ply
sician that it was lonesome task.
In order to induce Miss Bones to
continue her walking exercise, Dr.
Grayson introduced her to Mrs. Gait
who is an enthusiastic pedestrian
Frequent Guest Of White House.
1t was Mrs. Gait who took Miss
Bones out into Rock Creek Park eyery
day, where they would wander for an
hour or two along the shady wood
land paths. Every day the White
House motor would be seen standing
at the entrance to some glade. while
Mrs. Gait led Miss Bones In pursuit Of
health. These walks continued thru
out the winter.
The presidents cousin and Mrs. Gait
became inseparable companions. and
the widow was more and more fre-
quently guest at the White House.
at first for luncheon, at which the
president Is always present when he is
In Washington. Later she spent many
there.
Often Seen With President.
At first this caused no comment in
official or social circles here, because
of the well known fact that Mrs. Gait
vas the friend and almost only female
Of the presidents cousin.
when Miss Wilson, the
eldest daughter, was away
rom home, as frequently occurred.
In the late spT:i:s and early summer
II this year. however, It was noticed
hat Mrs. Calf was frequently seen In
he White House automobiles wheri
he president was talking his daily
irive. She and Miss Bones often ac-
him to the golf links where
hey formed a gallery to. watch his
,lay with DR.. Grayson.
People here began to comment on
he growing intimacy between the
president and Mrs. Gait. and notice
vas taken OF the marked attention
which he paid her when they were in
,ublic together.
Third President 70 Take Bride,
: For the third time in American his
ory president Of the United Staes
will take bride. In choosing to have
he ceremony performed In the home
Il the bride. Mr.. Wilson follows
precedent set by President Tyler, who
vas. married in New York in the
Church Of the Ascension. President
Cleveland, the only other executive to
,e married while In office. was mar
led In the White House.
President Wilson and Mrs. Gait viii !