El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1915-10-07
WILL
WE'D MRS. CALF.
The Announcement of Mr..
Wilson's Engagement to
Widow is Surprise.

Washington. D. C.. oct president
Wilson and Mrs. Norman Gait. whose
ngagement was announced Wednesday
night at the white house. viii be mar
ried probably the first week in Deem
Der The ceremony viii be private.
only a few close friends being invited
and viii take place at the home Of the
bride.
Plans for the honeymoon have not
yet been completed. but it was indi-
Gated today that the trip might include
a visit TO the San Diego exposition.
The San Francisco exposition, to
which the president also has been in
vited many times, closes Dec. l.
The brief announcement from the
white house made by secretary Tumul-
ty came as surprise to official Wash
ingtOn, but to number of intimate
friends il has long been expected. From
this circle came the announcement Of
a friendship which elimination was
viewed as a happy turn in the troubled
and lonely life of the nations chief
executive
President Sends RigNBsuuet.
Early today a messenger carried a
great boquet from the white house con-
servatOries 10 Mrs. Cats home. in a
portion Of the residence district known
scene of many brilliant affairs in ma
tiOnal society Mrs Gait herself re-
sieged by friends, coming TO offer con-
gratulatiOns and interviewers. denied
herself to all but her closest friends.
Messages Pour In.
Invitations and congratulations be
gan pouring into the white house Of
fees today in such volume that as on
previous occasions. when the white
house had a wedding on hand. a special
staff of clerks was prepared for as
signment TO social work only for the
next two months
Many Call on President
President Wilson went to his desk
early today as usual ana was greeted
with cOngra tulatiOns by the white
house staff and callers who began ar
irving Immediately. His first caller was
assistant secre tary Phillips Of the state
department Secretary lansing fol-
Delaware All the members Of the
cabinet sent their congratulations early
i'm the day and some cf them called
later.
Way Buy Ring Tomorrow.
President Wilson is Presbyterian.
and Mrs Gait an Episcopalian, and no
decision has been reached as Vet as TO
which service will be used at the we'd
ding Mrs Calf is member Of St
Thomas Episcopal church here
The president has given Mrs Gait
no enEa gement ring and one may be
purchased on a trip TO New York to
Daughters Chose Mrs. Gait.
It was Miss Margaret Wilson and her
cousin. Miss Benson. who drew Mrs
Gait into the white house circle They
met her first in the early autumn OF
last year and were so much attracted
by her that they sought her out more
and more frequently and the friendship
between them rapidly ripened into an
affectiOnare intimacy Mrs Gait spent ]
a month this summer at Cornish as the |
house guest OF the presidents eldest |
daughter. II was through this intimacy
of his daughter and cousin that the /
president had an opportunity 10 meet /
and know Mrs Calf. one Of the mQst /
interesting facts about the engagement, 1
indeed. as told by friends. is that the i
presidents daughters should have I
chosen Mrs. Gait for their admiration /
and friendship before their father did. 4
Fianee Is IS.
Mrs Gait is the widow OF a widely 4
known business man Of Washington
who died eight years ago, leaving a i
jewelry business that still bears his
name. She has lived in Washington 4
since her marriage in 1886. She is about L
IS years old and was Miss Edith Boil
ing. born in Wytheville, Va. where her
yirlhood was spent and where her faith
sr. VIM H. Boiling, was a prominent
lawyer.
Is Considered a Beauty.
In the circle Of people who have /
Known Mrs. Gait for many years, she
las been regarded as an unusual |
beauty. gifted with a natural charm.
Friendship Of her is being constantly !
fought out as a delightful companion,
especially on her thought
'ulness and quick capacity for anything
ihe chooses TO undertake
Tastes Are Similar.
For many weeks Mrs. Gait and her
elatives have been frequent thinner
yuests at the white house often she
las accompanied the president on mo- /
or rides She is not quite as tall as /
dr. Wilson. has dark hair and dark
yes, and always is in stylish attire.
Her tastes are said to be strikingly
imilar TO those OF the president, with
deep interest in literature and charity
work.
President Has been in Solitude.
With the marriage OF his two daugh-
ers and the death Of Mrs Wilson moSe ]
han a year ago, the presidents life I
ad become one Of solitude His alb
orption in official labors began TO tell
N him and when a few months ago he |
egan to take a renewed interest in
ersonal affairs. his friends and mem |
ers Of the family welcomed the dis !
met change which IL brought in his !
pirits-
Recalls Cleveland Wedding.
Grover Cleveland was the last presi-
ent to be married in the white house I
hould Mr.. Wilson eventually decide to
e married there, il will be the third
redding in the mansion since the be
inning Of the administration. the first
einE Miss Jessie Wilson and Francis
(. Sayre. being held in the east room.
nd the second being secretary BfcAdoO
nd Miss Eleanor Wilson, being sol
mnized in the blue room
The president is in a happy mood. The ! 3
satisfactory settlement OF the Arabic =
lse, the disposition Of many other i'm
ortant questions. together with the an
have s-fH &c l.