The Omaha morning bee., 1924-02-02

last night at the Wilson home anl
toward morning he found symptoms
that told him an alarming situation
vas likely. Soon afterward Mr.. Wi.
son suffered a sudden collapse, and
at 9 this morning. the doctor sum
moned other medical aid and am.
nounced that the former presidents
condition was very serious"
"You have done the best you
could" said Mr. Wilson to DIR. Gray
son just before he fell asleep. But
I'm a broken machine"
Then he added with a rally of his.
waning strength:
But I'm ready"
At noon Mr.. Wilson had rallied =
little. but there was no material
change in his condition. He was fully
conscious and in a faint voice talked
with those at his bedside.
Coolidges Send Message.
Besides the physicians. only a few
of the former presidents closest
friends were admitted 10 the house.
Vance Mccormick. former chairman
Of the democratic national committee.
iFdAIlS dllfI cl1Dll ldlh Win
Wilson, said that death might come
today or might stay its hand until
tomorrow.
President Coolidge was one Of the
first TO send a message of sympathy.
When he heard Of the serious sitaa-
ton of his predecessor he and Mrs
Coolidge conveyed a message in which
they included a prayer for recovery.
DR.. Grayson had spent the night af
the Wilson home and with Mrs. WI
son, was in constant attendance az
his bedside. He had returned TO the
capital. from a trip into North Caro-
lima after word had reached him that
the former president had developed
symptoms Of a new character
The present complication. although
a surprise TO those who have been ae-
customed TO see Mr.. Wilson taking
his daily automobile ride through the
city or his weekly trip TO the theater.
was not wholly unexpected to his
physicians.
Outwardly the former president
had appeared to be in large part his
old self. except for a deepening OF tie
lines Of his face and the lingering az
Fiction to his left leg which prevent
ed him from walking except with evil
dent difficulty. He has gained in
weight. and at a distance has the
appearance Of having taken on a
new robustness during his long
months OF semi-seelusion.
During the past few weeks, tee. he
has taken an increasing part in pub
lie affairs again. He has been very
active in his exchange OF letters with
old friends and admirers over the
country. and many OF his letters have
been on topics OF current political in.
terest and have been published.
On Armistiee eve he delivered nj.
first address by radio from his $
street home. and 1t was such a mi.
tant utterance on foreign affairs that
the whole country realized his Illness
had not modified the intentness -of
his old fighting spirit. whatever II
might have done TO his physical alert
ness. He also received a group of
admirers ON Armistice day. and two
weeks ago shook hands with men,
bers Of the democratic national COM
mittee as they filed through his
study.
But those who knew the inside
story Of the years OF solitude through
which he has passed were aware 81
the delicate balance upon which has
physical strength has rested. and
knew how ii had tilted now his way
NJ has sfsr~%-h@..s
fight Of Or. Grayson-not only his
physician. but one of his closest rer-
sonal friends-to avert crisis
II was for this reason that every
disorder. even OF the most incon-
sequential character on its face has
been watched with the minuteSt osrs
and not without misgivings.
The first symptoms Of the latest al
tack developed early this week when
Mr.. Wilson became prey 10 a digeS.
tive derangement. at FIRST ~ minor
character but deveiopins quickly into
a condition that al once aroused the
concern OF those who have watched
his illness In its smallest peculisri.
ties.
ON Wednesday DR. Steriing RutIin.
Who had helped attend NJ. Wilson
in his illness az the White House.
VAS summoned by Mrs. Wilson II tho
absence q DIR. GraSSon. lie made =
careful examination and en " eines=
daS night save The public lis frs
real news of the trNuhle II state
ment saving that complication had
developed. but for the upnwnt wss
not q proportions To warrant alarm
lie added that the development was
unrelated 10 the cid teeuAls that hsd
assailed the former president dailns
his western spoakius trip late In laie.