Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1924-02-04

crlng OF those nearest him TO pay their
cided. II depends almost entirely on
his ever-present help in the long wear.
with him when he died.
Thirty Days Official Mourning
The federal government already has
offered to do whatever is fitting TO cx-
press the nations reverence at the
passing Of a great leader. President
Coolidge called yesterday at the house
of bereavement, expressed his regret
and his readiness to be helpful, and
then issued a proclamation of thirty
days official mourning. Over the White
House and the government depart
ments, on the nations fighting ships at
sea, and over the outposts of Amer
ericar diplomacy in foreign lands the
stars and stripes were brought 10 half
mast. Congress today recessed in re-
spect for his memory and the whole
machinery Of the government whose
guiding genius he was Tor eight mo
mentous years will stand still on the
day Of his funeral.
The place Of entombmcnt has not
been selected. but il is probable his
body will be placed for a while in a
Washington cemetery. There it will
serve as his last resting place and to
perpetuate fittingly in stone the mem
ory Of those great days Of crisis when
the whole world hung upon his words.
Flashing Fire Of Eyes Gone Forever
Today the frayed remnant of his NOR
tality lies in the chamber whose walls
looked down yesterday upon the last
scene Of career that had known all
the heights and derth Of, human emo
tion. In death he appears as if in
peaceful slumber his features serene
and composed and his square jaw set
with the old determination But the
lines are somewhat deeper and heavier.
and the flashing fire of his eyes ha.
gone out forever
The bed on which Woodrow Wilson
died and where his body rests is Of
massive oak. a reproduction Of the bed
built az the White House for Lincoln
and used hy every president since. II
is Of unusual length and has a golden
American eagle over the head. Il was
made to the order Of Mr.. Wilson before
he retired from the presidency and was
installed in the ) Street house he had
selected as his future home
Although he had not known well
day since he crossed the threshold Of
his place Of retirement. or for months
before. last Friday saw the beginning
OF the end Of his long illness. His
collapse during his western speaking
trip in 1919. followed hy stroke of
paralysis soon after his return 70
Washington had made him almost m
invalid long ago. Early last week
slight digestive disorder further weak
encd his delicate vitality and on Friday
his friend and physician. Dr. Grayson
found his condition growing hourly
more serious.
Felt No Twinges Of Pain
He refused nourishmcnt and by Sat
urday night he was barely conscious
At nine o'clock he fell asleep and new
er wakcned again. II was al li:l5 a.
IN. Sunday that life finally went out
From first 20 last he was without pain
and in his last wakcful moments hc
appeared 70 BE- resting IN complete
comfort.
As the end approached the little
group watching in the sick orom drew
nearer about him.
Mrs. Wilson sat on the bed beside
him. with his almost lifcless hand in
both of hers. Close by was his eldest
daughter. Margaret Wilson. and DR.
Grayson. faithful in his ministrations
since the first sign Of illness more
than four years ago. watched for some
new way at last to help him as he
crossed the bar.
Meets Death With a Smile
But there was nothing TO Ne done
More and moro feeble became the
pulsc-beat; there was quickening Of
the breath: little BY little death was
completing its conquest. A quick flut-
ter of the eye-lids. a faint twitch. al
most like smile across the wasted
features. and the spirit OF the great
war president had burst at last the
long weakening fetters that bound il to
earth.
Thus he who had dreamed n high
dream Of peace for all the world. had
found peace for himself and had left
behind world still tossed by strife
and turmoil.
Thus. he against whom life had turn
ed at last after leading him through
paths Of greatest glory, found death
gentle and ever merciful.
Thus. with the soft chanting of
hymns floating on the Sabbath air. was
written the last letter Of that imper-
ishable chapter of human history COM
prising the life of Woodrow Wilson.
Her L. Al l.