Cary T. Grayson Diary

Cary T. Grayson Diary

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

WWP17237

1919 September 27

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

English

SATURDAY, The first stop of the special was made at St. Louis at 3:00 oclock in the morning. A large batch of telegrams from every section of the United States was put on board here. These telegrams were from men and women of every shade of political opinion and they all united in expressing their deep sorrow and regret over the illness of the President. When Indianapolis was reached several cablegrams were put on board which had been forwarded from the White House at Washington. Among them were messages from King George of England and Premier Clemenceau of France, both expressing their deepest sorrow and sympathy and their earnest wish for the Presidents speedy recovery. During the run across Indiana and Ohio large crowds were in evidence at all of the stations through which the train passed. The crowds were most respective in their demeanor and it was plain that they were deeply touched over the Presidents illness. Arriving at Pittsburgh that night additional messages of sorrow and expressions of hope that the President would soon recover were received. I kept the President closely secluded in his room and did everything that I possibly could to relieve his suffering. His spells of coughing, which had been in evidence all through the trip beginning shortly after we had left Washington were very hard to check, inasmuch as it was impossible to use internal remedies because of the resisting condition of the Presidents stomach.

Diary