Mrs. Roosevelt wavers only once
She bears ordeal like a soldier
Saturday, April 14, 1945
WASHINGTON (UP) – Mrs. Franklin D. Roosevelt bore the ordeal of her husband’s last ride to the White House like a soldier.
Only once did she waver.
Her black limousine drew to one side as the caisson stopped before the White House portico. She didn’t wait for help but opened the car door and stepped out alone.
For a moment, her tall figure seemed to crumple slightly but she quickly gathered herself together and waited for her son, Brig. Gen. Elliott Roosevelt, and her daughter, Mrs. Anna Boettiger, to join her.
They were a lone little group, standing by the side of the car those few, long minutes.
Soon the four daughters-in-law, all of a size and all wearing black dresses and very small black hats, arrived in a single straight line behind them.
Col. John Boettiger, the Roosevelts’ son-in-law, was at Mrs. John Roosevelt’s left. To her right were Mrs. Franklin Roosevelt Jr., Mrs. James Roosevelt and Mrs. Elliott Roosevelt, the former Faye Emerson.
Mrs. Roosevelt’s face, looked drawn and tired in the bright sunlight, but she wore no heavy veiling. She was meeting the ordeal openly.
A moment for family
Suddenly, the band began the Star-Spangled Banner. The honor guard started to lift the casket from the caisson. Mrs. Roosevelt instinctively stepped forward. She moved towards the caisson, walking ahead of Elliott and Anna.
It was a family moment. President and Mrs. Truman were not there. Mr. Truman had slipped into the executive offices, apart from the mansion. Mrs. Truman did not arrive until half an hour before funeral time.
Behind the daughters and son-in-law, were Miss Malvina Thompson who always accompanies Mrs. Roosevelt; Mrs. James Helm, White House social secretary since the days of President Wilson, and Presidential Secretary Stephen T. Early.
Fala led into house
Then came the President’s two cousins who were at Warm Springs with him – Miss Margaret Suckley and Miss Laura Delano.
Miss Delano was leading Fala, Mr. Roosevelt’s Scottie, who trotted eagerly ahead as if he expected to find his master at home.
Old family friends came after them – the President’s old boss, former Secretary of Navy Josephus Daniels, Bernard M. Baruch, and Maj. James Hooker.
Mrs. Roosevelt’s head was bent as she approached the White House door. But it lifted up when the band began to play softly one of the President’s favorite hymns. It was “Abide with Me.”