Cary T. Grayson Diary

Cary T. Grayson Diary

Grayson, Cary T. (Cary Travers), 1878-1938

WWP17023

1919 January 2

Cary T. Grayson Papers, Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library, Staunton, Virginia

English

THURSDAY, The first stop was made at Modane. Here the President left his car and walked up and down the platform. French, Italian and American officers and soldiers were congregated at this point to see what an American President looked like. All were extremely friendly. Leaving Modane additional engines were attached to haul the train up the grades and through the mountains. When the Italian border was reached the train was stopped and the Prince Udine and aides, the Italian Ambassador to the United States, and Contess DeCellere boarded the train. Along the route crowds congregated who cheered the train as it passed. Arriving at Turin, Thomas Nelson Page, American Ambassador to Italy came on board with his aides. At one of the smaller stations en route, where the train halted the President acknowledged greetings of welcome from the platform, the Mayor compared the President’s visit with “The second coming of Christ”. This reference greatly pleased the Italian people who heard him.

DIARY ENTRY: Entire day on train en route to Rome. Beautiful scenery through Alps. Snow on the mountain—air dry—Joined at??Thomas Nelson Page Page. Prince Undini—Ambassador & Madame Celleri—Miss Margaret W. sick in bed all day—Enthusiastic crowds greeted the President every stop—

Diary