Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1915-10-07
Announcement from the White
House Comes as Surprise to
Official Washington, but Not
to Intimate Friends.
WEDDING IN DECEMDE
Bride Is 3S, Widow of Business
Man and Warm Friend of Will
son Daughters, Who First In
trOduced Her to Their Dis
tirguished Father.

Washington. Oct. 6-Woodrow Wilson,
the President of the United States, an
nounced tonight his engagement to
Mrs. Norman Calf of Washington. The
date of the wedding has not been fixed,
but it probably will take place in De-
ccmber at the home of the bride-elect.
The brief announcement from the
White House made by Secretary Tumulty
came as surprise to official Washing
ton, but to a number of intimate friends
it has long been expected. From this
circle came tonight tho story of a
friendship whose elimination was view
ed as a happy turn in the troubled and
onely life of the nations CHIEF execu-
tive. 1t was Miss Margaret Wilson and
hcr cousin, Miss Bones. who drew Mrs.
Gait into the White House circle They
met her first in the carly autumn Of
last year and were much attracted by
her that they sought her out more and
more frequently, and the friendship be-
tween them rapidly ripened into an af-
foctionate intimacy. Mrs. Gait spent a
month this summer at Cornish as the
house guest of the Presidents eldest
daughter.
1t was through this intimacy Of his
daughter and cousin that the President
had an opportunity to meet and know
Mrs. Calf. One Of the most interesting
facts about the engagement, indeed, as
told by friends. is that the Presidents
daughters should have chosen Mrs. Gait
for their admiration and friendship be-
| fore their father did.
| Mrs. Gait is the widow of well known
business man of Washington, who died
eight years ago. leaving a jewelry busi
ness, which still bears his name. She
has lived in Washington since her mar
riage in 1896 She is about IS years old
and was Miss Edith Boiling. born In
Wytheville. Va, where her girlhood was
snent, and where her father. William
IL. Boiling. was prominent lawyer,
In the circle of people who have known
Mrs. Gait for many years, she has been
regarded as an unusual beauty, gifted
with a natural charm.
For many weeks Mrs. Calf 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 rs tall
as Mr.. Wilson, has dark hair and dark
eyes. and always is in stylish attire.
Her tastes are said to be strikingly
similar to those of the President. with
n deep interest in literature and char
ity work.
Friends of the President expressed
their pleasure over the announcement
tonight. not only because of Mr.. Will
sons personal happiness, but be-
cause they felt this new companion
ship would give him support and com
fort in his home life. q vital need dur
ing the hours of strain over the ma
tion's problems. With the marriage Of
two daughters and the death of Mrs.
Wilson more than n year ago, the
Presidents life had become one OF
solitude His absorption in official
labors began to tell on him physically.
and when few months ago he be-
gan to take a renewed interest in per
sonal affairs, his friends and members
of thep family welcomed the distinct
change which 1t brought about in his
health and spirits.
To-night-at tho end of a busy day for
the President, during which he announced
that he would vote for woman suffrage
Mrs. Gait was a dinner guest at the White
! House.
The nows Of the enga cement was given
out in this brief statement:
THE announcement was made today
of the engagement Of Mrs. Norman Gal
of this city and President Woodrow Will
SON"
No word as to plans for the wedding
was said to be available as vet nut 1t gen
orally is presumed that Mrs. Gait, who Is
of democratic tastes, will prefer a private