The Nezperce herald. (Nezperce, Idaho) 1900-1957, 1924-02-07
DEATH CALLS EX-PRESIDENT WOODROW WILSON
Life of Great American Closed at 1115 A NJ Sunday
Nation Mourns Greatest Leader Since Lincoln---
Simple Funeral Held Yesterday

Washington, Feb. 3.-Former Presi
dent Woodrow Wilson died at ll:ls
0 clock this morning. The end was
peaceful-life ebbed away while he
slept. Mrs Wilson, Miss Margaret
Wilson and DIR. Grayson were at the
bedside.
Z A tired man, he closed his eyes, and
sustained and soothed by an unfaul-
ltering trust'' passed on to the great
hereafter ''ike one who wraps the
drapery of his couch about him and
lies down to pleasant dreams. y
/ The remote causes of death lie in
his i'll health which began more than
four years age. The immediate cause
of death was exhaustion following a
digestive disturbance which began in
the early part of last week, but did
not reach an acute stage until the ear
| ly morning hours of February l.
Out through city stilled in a Sab
bath mornings reverential calm, his
name was being spoken from hun
dred pulpits. In the Central Presbyter-
ian church, where he faithfully wor-
shipped while the flesh was able,
choked-up congregation had sung, The
Son of God Goes Forth to War
How Firm Foundation, and ''On-
ward, Christian Soldiers, favorite
hymns in which he loved to lift his
voice in happier, better day. Over
great land that had proclaimed him
chief, and in lands across the seas
where he had been hailed as god of
peace, prayers were rising for the re-
pose of his soul.
In the street before the square
brick house, where he has lived with
his memories, his hopes and his re-
grets, was another scene. There was
a gathering of people there. 1t was
not crusading throng come to
mecca in pilgrimage to attest their
faith in the ideals he personified.
1t was group of men and women
kneeling on the pavement in silent
prayer. ''Mr. Wilson is attaining the
peace that passeth all understanding,
said their leader while the throng sank
to its knees and remained in silence
for q minute.
Immediately the great government
over which he presided for eight years
began taking steps to give marks of
its respect. President Coolidge heard
the word of Mr.. Wilson 's death while
in church with Mrs. Coolidge. Immed-
lately at the conclusion of the serv-
ices he drove to the Wilson home and
left cards. Later he sent his secre-
tary to offer any aid whatever.
Flags on government buildings and
government property everywhere were
lowered to half staff. The news went
to the army posts and to the ships at
sea. A 30-day period of official
mourning was ordered. Congress ar
ranged to adjourn Monday, executive
departments were ordered closed on
the day of the funeral, social activities
at the White House coming within the
period of mourning were ordered aban-
doned.
Realizing fully Friday that he could
not hope to rally from the onslaught
of the digestive disorder which sapped
his strength, weakened his heart and
accentuated the condition which fol-
lowed his stroke of paralysis, Mr.. Will
son watched for a moment when all
except DR.. Grayson were out of his
bed chamber. Drawing his friend and
physician close, he murmured with
some difficulty of articulation:
s'The old machine has broken down.
You've done your best for me. But
it's better that I should go than to
live on helpless invalid. Tell Mrs.
Wilson want her. I'm ready
Mrs. Wilson responded to the call
and spoke for several moments with
her husband, during which he commit
ted to her some last wishes. He never
spoke a complete sentence after that, |
and merely was able to whisper yes''
and "no' to gentle inquiries of how
he might be made more comfortable,
When be no longer had strength to do
that, he gave his answer by making
motion with his head Even then and |
until Saturday night he was able to
recognize those about him. With the |
last sinking spell Saturday night, how
ever, he fell into a state of complete
prostration and fitful slumber in
which his vitality slowly but surely |
ebbed out.
The funeral service and burial of
this great man took place Wednesday
with scarcely more ceremony than
might have been accorded any private
citizen This was his wish.
In the home where he lived his last
days and gave up his soul at last to