Evening star., 1924-02-04
FELL HELPLESS ON FLOOR,
NEAR DEATH FOR WEEKS
Dragged ON Mat From Bathroom to Bed
by Crayson After Discovery Of
Collapse by Wife.
me Associated Press.

Oil y uedtH was OIL ohC VI pehhe' S'~'
which followed his collapse in the
hte summer of 1919. Like Warren G.
Harding, he was stricken while on
peaking trip in the west
Up to the time of his collapse the
ountry thought him a normally
ealthy man, but he was far from 1t.
He entered the White House with
Fell developed start toward Brights
isease, which caused his physicians
predict that he never would nnlsh
Is first term. But by careful deVo-
ion to his doctors orders he fought
m the maIady. He was practically
lind in one eye from retinal hemor-
hage, which came while he was still
t Princeton University, but the coun-
nv never knew it, Years before he
ad suffered thrombosis blood
IIot in his arterieS-but 1t was IN one
n his legs and never developed any
erious trouble. The same thlnS IN
Lis brain later on laid him low ana
ed to his death.
Kent Malady Secret.
By his own personal directions tne
xact nature of his fatal Illness was
oncealed from the world lot Iaams ,,i1msns
Yf n while he was President. mlght
ead to a stock market panic ana
Iossibly far-reaching consequences 70
world then passing tnroush une
rst stages of postwar recoiS' u "e
Some of the details came out piece
heal and over long period or tlne.
kthers have not been hitherto pub
she'd them 1t is noM apPpaPtrh,s'iS Pthat hs IS dead
The first Indication of serious III
less came during the night of sep
ember 25. 1919, while the PreSiaehIs
becial train was between futolo,
Folo.. and Wichita. Kans., coming
astward on the return part of his
neech-making trip. The increasing
train upon his physical resources
lad been growingly apparent put
one of his party suspected .me
Breaking point was so near. heLe
kas no truth in rumors that the
President had become incoherent dur
hg some of his last speecheS, al
Ihough IL was true that he had dls-
Iayed great emotion, which was un-
sual for his manner of speaking.
Exhausted After Speech.
When Mr.. Wilson finished speaking
1t Pueblo that afternoon he was
Exhausted and covered with clammy
erspiration. An examination by Dr.
rayson, his physician. disclosed noth-
hg markedly wrong and he was
|ut to bed. Mrs. Wilson remained
u with him, as he complained or
estlessness. Soon after midnight he
complained of feeling ill and Dr:
srayson found him in state or
ervous exhaustion, with the right
ide of his face twitching, as 1t often
lad done before when he was very
ired and worn out.
But the physician was alarmed anu
hooked to note drooling of saliva
rom the corner of the Presldent
nouth and also dropping OF tne
aciaI muscles on the LETT slde.
Recog gnizingimmediatel that a. stroke
+ paralysis was impending, DR.. Gray
on warned Mr.. Wilson of his grave
condition, strongly suggested that he
ancel the remainder of the tour and
Immediately return to WaShlngtos
nd, in conclusion, that he try and
ket some sleep.
Wanted to Continue.
"I won't he able to sleep at all. doctor,
4 you say L must cancel the trip" Mr..
wilson responded. Even if giving my
wn life would accomplish this object.
gladly would give it,"
The physician uuieted his patient as
BeSI lie COulu anu looh SlCpS " ShhSSi
he remainder Of the speaking engage
|nents and bring the President to
Washington. Mr.. Wilson. yielding to
Ihe entreaties of Mrs. Wilson.
|cquieseed. and the facts We're an,
&ounced to the country in an official
Itatement, which said:
president Wilson's condition is due
10 overwork. The trouble dates back
10 an attack of influenza last April in
Paris, from which he never fully re-
IoveredA The Presidents activities on
his trip have overtaXed his strength
Ind he is suffering from nervous ex-
)austion. His condition is not alarm
ing. but 1T will be necessary for his |
fecovery that he has rest and quiet
|or considerable time"
1t is a fact that up to this time Mr..
Wilson had not suffered stroke, but
|he danger of one was recognized.
First News of Breakdown.
With that announcement the country
kot it's first information that the Presi-
ent had broken down, and on Septem-
er 26 and 81, as his special train
oiled along toward Washington, the
President rested and slept, while Mrs.
Wilson and DR.. Grayson took turns be-
3ng with him. They arrived home Sum
! lay morning, September %, at IL
}clock.
For the first time in three days Mr..
Wilson rose from his bed and walked
10 the White House motor car, which ,
waited him. He looked pale and |
rawn, but he walked without assist !
3nce and returned the greetings of a
mall crowd Of travellers whom he
kassed in the railway station. AL
Ihough there was no crowd to well |
3ome him outside the railway termi-
! al, Mr.. Wilson, as his car drove off.
)olemnly raised his hat and bowed
Xc, i,,.r
1hrong, az he had done so many times |
&n the past The incident was ex-
>lained by physicians as being a case
|f abstraction, heightened by his ex-
fausted condition and suggested by !
&abit. But 1T was magnifed into |
'umor that Mr.. Wilson had lost his i
hind. Subsequent events disproved it
3onclusively, but it lived long and
Eas used freely by political enemies,
Royalty Visit Postponed.
That afternoon he was we'll enough
10 take a motor ride in Rock Creek
Park, and for the next few days Dr. 4,
Erayson prescribed a routine Of mo
york and no worry" The coming
isit of the King and Queen of Bel
kium to the White House was post
|oned and business Of all forms was
kept from him.
The regimen Of rest seemed to be
baking good progress, and en- Sep
|ember 80 DR.. GraySon announced that
The President had passed the bes. lay
|ince the beginning of his breakdown.
He was permitted to sign some bills
Ind congressional resolutions, nomi-
lations and dictate some brief letters.
Everything went encouragingly until I,
october 1.
That afternoon Mr. Wilson went for
mother motor ride with his wife and |
pr. Grayson. During the evening all !
assembled in one of the large rooms |
If the Executive Mansion and en-
Dyed a family motion picture show. |
later in the evening the President |