Woodrow Wilson is Dead -- February 3, 2023

Perth Amboy Evening News, 03-January-1924

100 years ago today, on 03-February-2024, former president Woodrow Wilson died. 

WAR PRESIDENT 

GIVES LIFE FOR COUNTRY

WOODROW WILSON IS DEAD;

FIGHT LOST, DIES PEACEFULLY

Comes When Vitality No Longer Could Retard Breakdown

Sustained When Ex-President Fought for League of Nations;

Country Mourns Loss nf Statesman Who Won World Honors

WASHINGTON, Feb. 3.-- (By The Associated Press) -- Former President Wilson died today at 11:15 A.M.

Fatigued and worn by the battle with death which began before he left the White House in 1921 the War President of two terms -- eight of the most momentous years in the history of the world -- closed his eye and slipped peacefully away.

The end came when vitality no longer could retard the steady dissolution which set in with the stroke of paralysis that laid Mr. Wilson low on his return from the western speaking trip in 1919 in which he declared he was glad to give his life for the League of Nations if that would make it a success.

The cause of death as officially announced was general aertio sclerosis and haemopligia.

The general sclerosis had been progressively hardening Mr. Wilson’s arteries since he was first stricken in 1919. The haemopligia, which refered to the paralytic condition of his left side, manifested itself principally in his left arm and leg.

A digestive disorder which developed last Monday hastened death by a new and vicious attack on the waning vitality of the former President. He took a sudden turn for the worse Thursday night and his physicians found that thereafter it was only a question of how long they would be able to prolong life.

The passing of the former President was announced in the following statement issued by his physician and friend, Rear Admiral Cary T. Grayson:

"Mr. Wilson died at 11:15 this morning.

"His heart action became feebler and feebler and the heart muscles were so fatigued that it refused to act any longer. The end came peacefully."

"The remote causes of death lie in his ill health which began more than four years ago, namely, artereo sclerosis with hemiplegia. 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 early morning hours of February 1.

Mrs. Wilson, his daughter, Margaret and Dr. Grayson only were in the death chamber at the end. Dr. Grayson, restraining tears with obvious difficulty, gave the formal announcement to waiting newspaper men. Worn with the strain, his voice was barely audible when he said that the former President’s last moments had been peaceful.

First word of the seriousness of Mr. Wilson’s condition was given by Dr. Grayson Friday morning after he had spent Thursday night at the bedside. He called in at once 2 other physicians and members of the family were summoned by telegraph.

During all of Friday, yesterday and last night, and early today, he lingered on the verge of eternity. He slept fitfully and toward the last refused nourishment, but before extreme weakness overtook him he talked with those about him, and told Dr. Grayson he was "ready to go." Step by step he lost ground and his physicians knew that the end was but a question of time.

As the news of his death spread throughout the city and was flashed around the world, messages of sympathy poured in a great flood-tide to the widow who so long had kept him in her tender care.

One of the first to send a message of condolence was President Coolidge who on Friday when the serious nature of the illness became known conveyd to Mrs. WiSon the hope of himself and Mrs. Coolidge that the former President would recover.

President and Mrs. Coolidge were at church when announcement was made of Mr. Wilson's death. They drove to the Wilson home immediately after the services were over and left cards. They were the first of any in official life to call.