The Big Sandy news. [volume] (Louisa, Ky.) 1885-1929, 1921-11-18
WORLDS GREATEST
WOUNDED SOLDIER
GREATLY HONORED
Ex-President Woodrow Will
son Receives Wonderful
Ovation on Armistice
Day.
BY MARVIN MURPHY,
in Courier Journal.

invalid who himself had lowered, or
the brink of death.
After laying at the sarcophagus o.
the unknown private the largest col
lection of floral tributes ever seen In
Washington, 1t carried to the former
/ commander in chief of all the military
and naval forces Of the country its
appreciation for his services in bring
| ing the war to a successful end,
Woodrow Wilson, War President
broke his silence and reserve. stand
ling in the door of the secluded home
he chose when leaving the White
House he burst into tears as thous-
ands standing bare-headed paid tri-
butte TO "the greatest soldier in the
world" the unanimous appellation OF
those who had turned from paying
tribute to Americas unknown soldier
to pay a tribute to the unknown SOL
dier's commander in-chief.
Thousands Are In Crowd.
Two hours before the time set for
the demonstration to the former Pres
ident, the crowd began to assemble in
S Street. An hour later several thous-
and persons were gathered there and
by $3.50 o'clock the assemblage ex-
tended in solid mass from the Wall
son sidewalk far back into lot on the
opposite side of the street.
Patiently the crowd waited until Mr..
Wilson appeared, supported by two
servants, at the front door. Then 1t
gave vent to its feelings and cheer
after cheer was given, Someone took
charge of the cheering and proposed
three cheers for Woodrow Wilson,
then three cheers for the League OF
Nations" And three cheers for the
greatest man under the sun" and
three cheers for Mrs. Wilson"
For fifteen minutes they cheered and
shouted, while Mr.. Wilson, pale from
the effects OF his long illness, stood
overcome by emotion. He tried to
smile, and did smile some.
But the invalid man, leaning on his
cane, gray beyond his years yet stoical
in the face of all that befell him. pre-
sented a pathetic figure. 1t brought
tears to the eyes Of many in the crowd.
Disdains Aid of Servants.
Mr.. Wilson disdained the help of his
servants as he slowly came down three
steps to the side OF an automobile
drawn up in front of the door and
which contained four disabled veter-
ans of the World War. He shook each
of the veterans by the hand and MUIR
INJURED a greeting to each and then
stood, deeply stirred by the continuing
outburst from the crowd.
When Mr.. Wilson turned back into
the house, the crowd began cheering
again. Many of those on the outskirts
of the assemblage. who had been un-
able to see him, began to call for Mr..
Wilson to appear on the balcony of
the second floor.
They waited patiently and then
some one began singing 1.-The Star
Spangled Banner" The crowd caught
up the difficult strains of the National
anthem and sang through three STAN
zas. In response Mr.. Wilson appeared
at second story window.
Many Children In Crowd.
Mr.. Wilson was informed then that
the committee of women having the
ceremony in charge, with their spokes
man. Hamilton Holt. of the League Of
Nations Association, had arrived and
the former President returned to the
front door.
Awaiting him at the door was a
large gathering of children from Wash
ingtons and Baltimore, headed by Olive
Chace. These children. several hun
dred in number, had each contributed
flower, and these Miss Chace handed
70 the former President.
After the ceremony Mr.. Holt de-
liyered a short address in behalf Of
those present. He told the former
President of the. burial of the unknown
soldier in Arlington which Mr.. Wilson
did not attend.
Wars Ideals Not Forgotten.
He added:
MIR. Wilson, you were his comman
der-in Chief. You sent him into ac-
zion with your blessing and inbued
with the spirit of your ideals. We can
not let this day pass without coming
here to tell you what is in our hearts.
we haven't forgotten the ideals for
which we went to war and for which
this soldier died.
1--WE wish to congratulate you, a
wounded soldier of the war, on your
regaining your health. We also wish
to- pledge to you our honor and our
respect Your work shall not die"
Mr.. Wilson was visibly moved by
the expressions of Mr. Holt which
manifestly echoed the sentiments of
those present. A quiet hush swept over
the audience as 1t seemed he was about
to speak.
For few minutes, though, he could
not control his emotions, but finally
amid an almost deathly silence, a
voice, once resonant and clear as a
bell, but now weakened by illness I'M
til it was almost inarticulate. re-
sponded.
II wish" Mr.. Wilson said, that |
had the voice to reply and to thank
you for the wonderful tribute that you
have paid me. can only say, God
bless you"
For moment the silence continued
and a booming voice shouted, Long
live the best man in the world" Mr..
Wilson could not restrain his emotion
and as the sentiment OF the voice was
echoed in a tremendous outburst OF
cheering great tear drops rolled from
his eyes.
His right hand sought the hand OF
Mrs. Wilson who had been his constant
companion, in adversely and she too
hurs. into tears. The grief Of the
trembling man seemed to reach out
into the crowd and strong men and
strong women also burst into teSrs.