The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1915-10-13
PRESIDENT ANNOUNCES EN-
GAGEMENT TO MRS. GAIT
CEREMONY In DECEMBER
Greatly Surprised at I'm
expected Announcements
Have Suspected it for Some Time
Bride to be is Widow of Former
PuciDoaa Man
Business Man.
The announcement was made
Wednesday Of the engagement OF
Mrs. Norman Gait of Washington
and President Woodrow Wilson.

Mrs. Norman Gait OF Washington
and President Woodrow Wilson.
The brief announcement from the
White House, made by Secretary Tu-
multy, came as surprise to official
Washington but to number Of init
mates it long had been expected.
From this circle came the story Of a
friendship whose elimination was
viewed as a happy turn in the trou-
bied and lonely life Of the nations
chief executive.
1t was Margaret Wilson and her
cousin, Miss Helen Woodrow Bones,
who drew Mrs. Gait into the White
House circle. They met her in the
early autumn OF last year and were so
much attracted by her that they
sought her out more and more fire.
Quently.
Mrs. Gait spent a month this sum-
mer as guest of the presidents eld-
est daughter. 1t was then that the
president had an opportunity to meet
and know her. One Of the most in
teresting facts, as told by friends, is
that the presidents daughters chose
Mrs Gait for their admiration and
friendship before their father did.
Mrs. Gait is the widow Of well
known business man of Washington,
who died eight years ago, leaving q
jewelry business that still bears his
name. She has lived in Washington
since her marriage in 1896. She is
about thirty-eight years old and was
Miss Edith Boiling, born in Wythe-
vile, Va, where her girlhood was
spent and where her father, William
H. Boiling, was prominent lawyer.
For many weeks Mrs. Gait 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 as tall
as Mr.. Wilson: She has dark hair
and. dark eyes. Friends regard her
as: an unusual beauty. Her tastes
are said to be strikingly similar to
those of the president. She is inter-
ested in literature and charity work.
Friends of the president expressed
their pleasure over the announce
ment, not only because of Mr.. Will
sons personal happiness, but because
they felt this new companionship
would give him support and comfort
in his homo life-a vital need during
the hours of strain over the nations
problems.
With the marriage Of his daugh-
ters and the death of Mrs. Wilson,
more than year ago, tho presidents
life had become one OF solitude. His
absorption in official labors began to
tell on him physically, and when a
few months ago he began to take .
renewed interest in personal affairs
his friends and mem bers Of the fam
lily welcomed the distinct change
which it brought about in his health
and spirits.
Congratulations came from Off
cials, diplomats, friends and rela-
tives OF President Wilson following
the announcement of his engagement
to Mrs. Norman Gait Of Washington.
The announcement gave the national
capital topic Of absorbing interest
which, for the moment, overshadowcd
all questions Of international or do
mestic politics.
Count Won Bernstorff, the German
ambassador, was one of the fl-St to
send congratulations and there fol-
lowed messages from others Of the
diplomatic corps conveying the good
wishes of their governments.
Definite arrangements for the
wedding will be made Immediately,
but it was disclosed that it will not
take place in the White House, be-
cause Of the formality that would be
necessary there. The ceremony. will
be solcmnized before the conVenlng
of congress in December, either in
Mrs. Galt's home or in church.
An extended honeymoon will be
impossible, but the presidents friends
are urging him to accept an invita-
ton to attend the San francisco and
San Diego expositions just after his
marriage. A short sea trip may be
taken on the presidential yacht May
flower.
The president gave up virtually all
OF Thursday to receiving congratuia-
tions and calling with Mrs. Gait on
members Of their respective families.
During the afternoon he went to meet
a few friends at the home Of Mrs. W.
H. Boiling, mother of the bride-to-be,
and Thursday night he had as his
guests at dinner at the White House
Mrs. Gait, her mother, Secretary and
Mrs. McAdoo and several other rela-
tives. Members of the party remain
ed at the White House for the re-
mainder Of the evening.
When the president received call
ers and when he left and entered the
White House he was wearing broad
smile and seemed happy. Mrs. Gait
spent the morning receiving congrat-
ulations.
The president and Mrs. Calf. with
Mrs. Boiling, Miss Bones. DR.. Gray
son and Secretary Tumulty, left Fri
day for New York to be guests Of Col.
E. NJ. House, the presidents closest
friend, and Mrs. House. They will
reach New York in the afternoon and
the time before dinner probably will
he devoted to the purchase Of an en-