"UNOSTENTATIOUS PILGRIMAGE TO GENEVA"

MRS. WILSON VISITS LEAGUE OF NATIONS BUILDING FOR FIRST TIME

Geneva, Switzerland (JFK+50) On July 6, 1925, Associated Press reports that yesterday former First Lady Mrs. Woodrow Wilson* "made a modest pilgrimage to the League of Nations" building located here in Geneva.

This, the first visit to the building by Mrs. Wilson, is described by AP as unostentatious** and "without the knowledge of the general public."  The former First Lady spent several hours touring the League building and paid her respects at a tablet mounted on a wall dedicated to her husband.

Woodrow Wilson, 28th President of the United States, was primarily responsible for the creation of the League of Nations.

*Edith Boling Wilson (1872-1961) was born in Wytheville, Virginia & became the 2nd wife of President Woodrow Wilson.  EBW served as 1st Lady 1915-1921 & played a key role in presidential affairs after her husband suffered a stroke late in his 2nd term.

**ostentatious, from Latin for "display," refers to a person who is flashy, showy, or flamboyant.  Donald J. Trump would fit that description while Calvin Coolidge would better be described as "unostentatious."

SOURCE

"Mrs. Wilson Makes Secret Pilgrimage To Headquarters of League of Nations," The Evening Star, Washington, D.C., July 6, 1925, Chronicling America, Library of Congress, www.loc.gov/

Woodrow and Edith Wilson

June 1920

Harris & Ewing Photo

Library of Congress

"THROUGH AN ARRANGEMENT WITH MRS. WILSON"

WOODROW WILSON PAPERS WILL BE PUBLISHED IN SIX VOLUMES

New York City (JFK+50) On March 31, 1924, the Associated Press reports "the public papers of Woodrow Wilson will be published next fall through an arrangement with Mrs. (Edith)Wilson*."

The announcement was made by a publishing house here in New York City.  The Woodrow Wilson papers will appear in six volumes.

*Edith Boling Galt Wilson (1872-1961) was born in Wytheville, Virginia & married Woodrow Wilson in December 1915 during his 1st term as POTUS.  EBGW played an influential role in her husband's administration.

JFK+50 NOTE

The collection of documents identified as "The Woodrow Wilson Papers" is housed today in the Manuscript Division of the Library of Congress in Washington, D.C.  The collection consists of 280,000 documents, including 620,000 images.  It is the largest collection of original Wilson documents in the world.

SOURCE

"Widow Will Publish Papers Of Mr. Wilson," The Evening Star, Washington, D.C., March 31, 1924, Chronicling America, Library of Congress, www.loc.gov/

 

 

Edith Boling Galt Wilson

Photo by Arnold Genthe

Feb 16 1915

"LAST WILL & TESTAMENT OF WOODROW WILSON"

EDITH BOLLING WILSON TO GET BULK OF LATE PRESIDENT'S ESTATE

Washington, D.C. (JFK+50) On February 25, 1924, "The Last Will and Testament of Woodrow Wilson" was filed for probate here in the Nation's Capital leaving the bulk of the late President's estate to his widow Mrs. Edith Bolling Wilson*.

Only one qualification is that Mr. Wilson's daughter, Margaret Wilson, will receive $2500 a year "as long as she remains unmarried."

The will, dated May 31, 1917, was witnessed by Mrs. Helen Woodrow Bones, I. H. Hoover, and Ralph M. Rogers.

The Evening Star reports that the value of the 28th POTUS's estate was not given.

*Edith Bolling Wilson (1872-1961) was born in Wytheville, Virginia. Her family were members of the state's slave-owning planter estate.  EBW had little formal education.  She married Normal Galt in 1896 & he died in 1908 then married Woodrow Wilson in 1915.

SOURCE

"Widow Gets Bulk Of Wilson Estate," The Evening Star, Washington, D.C., February 25, 1924, Chronicling America, Library of Congress, www.loc.gov/

 

 

Woodrow & Edith Wilson

June 1920

Harris & Ewing Photo

Library of Congress

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A STROKE LEFT THE PRESIDENT PARALYZED

WOODROW WILSON DIES IN WASHINGTON

Washington, D.C. (JFK+50) On February 3, 1924, Woodrow Wilson, 28th President of the United States, died at the age of 67 here in the Nation's Capital.  Since leaving the White House,  Mr. Wilson lived with his wife Edith in a townhouse on Embassy Row.  

President Wilson's decline in health began when he collapsed in Pueblo, Colorado on September 25, 1919, followed by a stroke on October 2.  The stroke left the President paralyzed on his left side and blind in his left eye.  Mr. Wilson remained in seclusion for most of the remainder of his term as president while the extent of his disability was kept from the public.

Mr. Wilson was able to enjoy some public appearances in his retirement and gave his last speech from the balcony of his S Street home on Armistice Day, November 11, 1923.  He was also the beneficiary of visits from British PM David Lloyd George and former French PM Georges Clemenceau.

            

President and Mrs. Woodrow Wilson

The White House

Photo by Harris and Ewing (1920)

Library of Congress Image

WOODROW WILSON

PRESIDENT WILSON DIED 90 YEARS AGO TODAY

Washington, D.C. (JFK+50) Woodrow Wilson, the 28th President of the United States, died at the age of 67 here in the National Capital 90 years ago today, February 3, 1924.

Woodrow Wilson became the first United States president to be buried in Washington, D.C.  His remains were interred in the National Cathedral.

              Sarcophagus of President Wilson
                       The National Cathedral
                             Washington, D.C.
               Photo by Tony Fischer (2009)
http://www.flickr.com/photos/tonythemisfit/4686506855

Since leaving the White House, Wilson had lived with his wife Edith in a townhouse on Embassy Row which is today a National Historic Site.

Edith Wilson lived in the home at 2340 S Street NW until her death on December 28, 1961.

                Woodrow Wilson House
               Washington, D.C. (2008)
         Photo by AgnosticPreachersKid

President Wilson's decline in health began when he collapsed in Pueblo, Colorado on September 25, 1919, followed by a stroke on October 2.

The stroke left the President paralyzed on his left side and blind in his left eye.

Mr. Wilson remained in seclusion for most of the remainder of his term as president while the extent of his disability was kept from the public.

The former president was able to enjoy some public appearances in his retirement and gave his last speech from the balcony of his S Street home on Armistice Day, November 11, 1923.

Wilson was also the beneficiary of visits from British PM David Lloyd George and former French PM Georges Clemenceau.

Woodrow Wilson, Governor of New Jersey, won election as a progressive Democrat in 1912, defeating incumbent Republican William Howard Taft and former president and Progressive Theodore Roosevelt.

Wilson, who took office in 1913, signed the following reform legislation...

Federal Reserve Act
Federal Trade Commission Act
Clayton Anti-Trust Act
Federal Farm Loan Act

Re-elected in 1916, President Wilson led the nation through the First World World and introduced a plan for peace called The 14 Points.

Mr. Wilson attended the peace conference in Paris and supported the Versailles Treaty ending the war.

It was during the failed battle to win support for ratification of the treaty that Wilson was stricken by illness.

President and Mrs. Woodrow Wilson

The White House

Photo by Harris and Ewing (1920)

Library of Congress Image