The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1915-11-05

daily. Walking has retained its pleas
ureS for her, and the streets and park
paths of Washington now know her
just as we'll. In this lies the secret
of her perfect health and poise.
Perhaps a part of that ardent love
OF nature and for natures freedom
may be due to the strain of blood
which connects her with the forest
princess, Pocahontas, the dearest
jewel of the great Powhatan, i'm
perial Indian chief and leader in Vir-
GINA in the time of the settlement of
jamestown. Of her ancestry there is
not the least doubt. Records in Rich
mond, Va, trace the connection with
out a break. Mrs. Gait belonged to
the ninth generation removed from
the Indian ancestress, and she shares
with the rest of her family the pride
of her lineage.
Mrs. Gait was Miss Edith Boiling.
To mention the Bollings is to bring to
mind the words of the historian,
Burke, Mho saluted them las the
remnant of an imperial line" every
member of which has added distinc-
ton to his name.
1t was Jane Rolfe, the granddaugh-
ter of Pocahontas and John Rolfe,
who married Robert Boiling, founder
of the American house of Boiling and
scion of house greatly honored bv
various English sovereigns. Robert
Boiling and his son, were distinguish
ed and successful business men in
early Virginia. The Bollings continu-
ed to show the dash of their Indian
progenitors and at the same time the
solid and conservative qualities of
their English forebears.
In the revolution they bore a con
spicious part, stern supports of a
new order. When peace came they
were again at their plantations, grow
ing and selling large quantities of to-
bacco, the coin of the realm, and wax
ing in wealth and influence among
their fellows.
The Bollings became related
through marriage to several of the
outstanding families of the Old Do
minion. One of them welded Martha
Jefferson, a sister of Thomas Jeffer-
son of Monticello. Their name is now i
to be seen on most of the notable
family trees of Virginia.
OF this stern and distinguished
stock was Judge William Holcomb
Boiling, father of Miss Edith Boiling.
Judge Boiling was one of the leading
lawyers of the state in his day. |
Though successful lawyer and jurist |
he was comparatively a poor man, as |
was most of the men of the South in
the period just following the civil
war.
The Boiling home, where Edith was
born, was a second-story apartment
on the main street of Wytheville, Va
little city of some four thousand |
population. Underneath the Boiling |
apartment of eight rooms were a doc
tors Office a butcher shop, barber
shop and a grocery store.
The BollingS were recognized as
among the best families of the old
aristrocratic southwest Virginia town.
The Boiling name was the card of ad-
mittance to the most exclusive cir
cles, but though the members of the
family attended the highest social
events of the place there were no en-
tertainments given in return.
The fancee of the president is still
there as the youngest of
four brilliant sisters in family of
elevn children, nine of whom are
now living. Modest and retiring, Miss
Edith Boiling was the family pet and
the favorite with neighboring famil-
les. She was regarded as the hand
soonest of the family of handsomest
girls
Miss Edith Boiling attended pri-
vate school in Wytheville and later
was pupil at Plummer college,
school for young women. Still later
she attended Martha Washington col
ege at Abingdon, Va, and finished
her education at Powell college in
Richmond. In her earlier years she
went in for music and literature
'ather than for the sciences. Her
owe of the open asserted itself. She
vas fond of horses and a good rider.
Though Judge Boiling was a poor .
nan, he was an indulgent father in
Ill that was best for his family. His
daughters always had good clothes.
md they were surrounded with all in
he way of culture and refinement !;
which meager circumstances would !
liiow. He thought it worth while to !
make sacrifices in order that his girls :
night have a trip to Europe. >
Miss Edith Boiling was married tc, .
Norman Calf, wealthy jewelry mer-
liant of Washington in 1895, when
he was IL years old. She attended +
he inaugural ball of President Nc
<inley in the same year. Mr.. Gait
vas the floor manager, and Mrs. Gait
wore her wedding gown. She was r
described by those present as one OF =
ne handsomest women of the notable !
ssemblage.
Eight years ago Mr.. Gait died. No 4
hildren were born of this union. Fol, !
owing her husand's death, Mrs. Gait :
continued to live in Washington and !;
eta:ned her husbands interest in the +
ewelry store. She gained reputa y
ion among the best Washington fam f
lies as an accomplished hostess and :
social favorite. =
Besides her interests in society. in +
Ter home, her music her books and I
n various outdoor diversions Mre