President and Mrs. Wilson Praise Park Activites in Afternooon Motor Ride
Title
President and Mrs. Wilson Praise Park Activites in Afternooon Motor Ride
Creator
Unknown
Identifier
WWP15840
Date
1919 September 5
Description
A summary of Wilson’s visit to St. Louis.
Source
Cary T. Grayson Papers, Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library, Staunton, Virginia
Language
English
Text
President and Mrs. Wilson rode from 3:15 to 5:45 pm yesterday about St. Louis, visiting Washington University, Forest Park, returning through Tower Grove Park, past Shaw’s Garden and Barnes Hospital and through Portland and Hortense places. Their chauffeur was Thomas H. Lovelace, assitant secretary of the Chamber of Commerce, and the occupants of the car were the President, Mrs. Wilson, Rear Admiral Grayson and one secret service man. An automobile filled with secret service men accompanied them.
Many people on the outward journey recognized the party with exclamations: “There he is.” The return was at an hour when St. Louisans were going westward toward their homes and the entire route was one of acclamation.
The President spent 90 minutes at Washington University, absorbed in the architecture of the buildings. He walked the enitre length of the quadrangle, to Francis gymnasium, entering every building and inspecting it seemingly with the greatest interest. Graham Memorial Chapter was locked and the President requested that it be opened. Ludwig Kotany, the treasurer of the university, who chanced upon the party, obtained the key. The President went the length of the chapel and gazed about. It is generally known that many Princeton University buildings embody Mr. Wilson’s ideas of contruction, for during his presidency of the university he was much interested in architecture.
Praise for University.
When the visit was completed, he said: “You have a wonderful university.”
The President saw the West End panorama both from Art Hill and the pavillion. A stop was made at the Municipal Theater, which elicted exclamations of surprise and appreciation from the President and Mrs. Wilson, who said they had never seen anything like its size and beauty. When told that light opera had been given there this summer, they expressed the belief that the season must have been remarkable and enjoyable both to ear and eye.
Continuing through the park, the President noted four automobile parties, apparently making themselves comfortable for a stay and inquired what they were doing. When told that the city had established a camp for tourists, he said: “It is very commendable that your city should show its hospitality by sharing its attractions with the chance visitor.” Some St. Louisans have expressed disapproval of the use of Forest Park for a tourists’ camp, and a suit to enjoin its use for that and other purposes is pending.
Admiral Grayson Proposed Ride.
The impression had been given out that the President would not leave his rooms at the Statler during the afternoon. Admiral Grayson, however, decided differently. He told newspaper men he wanted the President to “stretch his legs,” but that he would not permit his going if any newspaper men followed.
The public sensed the President’s departure, however, and when he stepped into the automobile from the north entrance to the hotel, there was a large crowd in the street, which began cheering. Almost in a wink of an eye the President’s car was moving west on Washington avenue, followed by the secret service car, the secret service men climbing in while the car was in motion. There was also a crowd assembled upon the President’s return.
He went immediately to his suite, where dinner was served to him and Mrs. Wilson alone at 6:45 pm
The menu for the meal was prepared by Mrs. Wilson, who wrote it out and handed it to the maitre d’hotel. It was:
Cantaloupe
Roast capon, spinach,
creamed potatoes,
Sliced peaches with charlotte russe,
(for one),
Sliced peaches with plain ice cream,
(for one),
Coffee.
When the capon was carved, President Wilson said, “The dark meat, please.” Mrs. Wilson preferred light meat.
The Hotel Statler assigned its assistant manager, CS Abell, in charge of a staff for exclusive service of the presidential party. It consisteed of one housekeeper and two maids, four bellboys, one page, a valet and, in the evening, the maitre d’hotel for the President’s dinner.
The President used the page for communication with Rear Admiral Grayson on several occasions, sent a suit of clothes to the valet for pressing (Mrs. Wilson sending a skirt), and the President’s personal valet made several requests upon the bellboys for service for the President.
No tips were given or left
Many people on the outward journey recognized the party with exclamations: “There he is.” The return was at an hour when St. Louisans were going westward toward their homes and the entire route was one of acclamation.
The President spent 90 minutes at Washington University, absorbed in the architecture of the buildings. He walked the enitre length of the quadrangle, to Francis gymnasium, entering every building and inspecting it seemingly with the greatest interest. Graham Memorial Chapter was locked and the President requested that it be opened. Ludwig Kotany, the treasurer of the university, who chanced upon the party, obtained the key. The President went the length of the chapel and gazed about. It is generally known that many Princeton University buildings embody Mr. Wilson’s ideas of contruction, for during his presidency of the university he was much interested in architecture.
Praise for University.
When the visit was completed, he said: “You have a wonderful university.”
The President saw the West End panorama both from Art Hill and the pavillion. A stop was made at the Municipal Theater, which elicted exclamations of surprise and appreciation from the President and Mrs. Wilson, who said they had never seen anything like its size and beauty. When told that light opera had been given there this summer, they expressed the belief that the season must have been remarkable and enjoyable both to ear and eye.
Continuing through the park, the President noted four automobile parties, apparently making themselves comfortable for a stay and inquired what they were doing. When told that the city had established a camp for tourists, he said: “It is very commendable that your city should show its hospitality by sharing its attractions with the chance visitor.” Some St. Louisans have expressed disapproval of the use of Forest Park for a tourists’ camp, and a suit to enjoin its use for that and other purposes is pending.
Admiral Grayson Proposed Ride.
The impression had been given out that the President would not leave his rooms at the Statler during the afternoon. Admiral Grayson, however, decided differently. He told newspaper men he wanted the President to “stretch his legs,” but that he would not permit his going if any newspaper men followed.
The public sensed the President’s departure, however, and when he stepped into the automobile from the north entrance to the hotel, there was a large crowd in the street, which began cheering. Almost in a wink of an eye the President’s car was moving west on Washington avenue, followed by the secret service car, the secret service men climbing in while the car was in motion. There was also a crowd assembled upon the President’s return.
He went immediately to his suite, where dinner was served to him and Mrs. Wilson alone at 6:45 pm
The menu for the meal was prepared by Mrs. Wilson, who wrote it out and handed it to the maitre d’hotel. It was:
Cantaloupe
Roast capon, spinach,
creamed potatoes,
Sliced peaches with charlotte russe,
(for one),
Sliced peaches with plain ice cream,
(for one),
Coffee.
When the capon was carved, President Wilson said, “The dark meat, please.” Mrs. Wilson preferred light meat.
The Hotel Statler assigned its assistant manager, CS Abell, in charge of a staff for exclusive service of the presidential party. It consisteed of one housekeeper and two maids, four bellboys, one page, a valet and, in the evening, the maitre d’hotel for the President’s dinner.
The President used the page for communication with Rear Admiral Grayson on several occasions, sent a suit of clothes to the valet for pressing (Mrs. Wilson sending a skirt), and the President’s personal valet made several requests upon the bellboys for service for the President.
No tips were given or left
Original Format
Article
Files
Collection
Citation
Unknown, “President and Mrs. Wilson Praise Park Activites in Afternooon Motor Ride,” 1919 September 5, WWP15840, Cary T. Grayson Papers, Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library & Museum, Staunton, Virginia.