Ellen Axson Wilson to Woodrow Wilson

Title

Ellen Axson Wilson to Woodrow Wilson

Creator

Wilson, Ellen Axson

Identifier

WWP15002

Date

1903 May 4

Description

Ellen Axson Wilson writes to her husband, Woodrow Wilson, while he is away from home.

Source

Library of Congress

Publisher

Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library & Museum

Subject

Wilson, Woodrow, 1856-1924--Correspondence

Language

English

Spatial Coverage

Princeton, NJ

Text

My own darling

I did not find any free time to write yesterday as I had hoped, — thought I would be able to do it in the evening, while the Bishop preached at Trinity, but Mr. McEwan did not go to church so I could not leave him. I am writing instead just after breakfast hoping to catch the usual train. The Bishop turned out a splendid fellow, – a genuine man, though and through, with no nonsense about him. His sermon was good and sensible, manly and straight-forward, but neither intellectual nor moving. He preached entirely without notes. I rather think the boys liked it very much. He is a superb looking man, very large and deep-chested, with fine head and extraordinarily handsome face of the square Roman type, massive yet at the same time very finely chiselled. He was a missionary bishop in the Dakotas for some years; when he mentioned that I said, laughingly, “why, you might be the original of Owen Wister's “Bishop”, you look the part!” and he confessed that he was! I was quite interested, and pleased at having made so good a guess. Wister's bishop is quite his best character — very strong and manly,–meeting the rough men on their own ground as it were, and winning their affection, yet deeply devout. I am sorry you missed him; he seems to have the most intense interest in you; you would be amused at the innumerable questions he asked about you. He was very easy to entertain because he is so simply and sincerely interested in everything and especially everybody. Dr. Shields and Dr. McEwan were at dinner Saturday night, and Paul Vandyke and Mr. Baker came afterward. After church Mr. Vandyke walked with him about the campus &c. I had Mr. Fine to dinner and then he and the Bishop took a long walk and were immensely pleased with each other. Mr. Dulles was at tea and Mr. West called after church, his train did not arrive in time for him to come to tea. Dr. McEwan is staying here too,– leaves after his trustee meeting today.

It was very good to get such direct news of you from Mr. West. He says you are looking very well and not at all tired. How good it is to have actually reached the last week of this long separation! I can't tell you, darling, how indescribably eager I am to see you. It seems a month. I love you, dear, beyond all words– I am altogetherI am so glad you did not sit out the parade! — Madge comes today and possibly Stockton; Havn't heard from him again about the Va. plan.

Your own Eileen

Original Format

Letter

To

Wilson, Woodrow, 1856-1924

Files

http://resources.presidentwilson.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/WWP15002.pdf

Citation

Wilson, Ellen Axson, “Ellen Axson Wilson to Woodrow Wilson,” 1903 May 4, WWP15002, Ellen Axson Wilson Letters, Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library & Museum, Staunton, Virginia.