National Affairs: Presidents, Wives

Mrs. Elizabeth Jaffray, White House housekeeper during four administrations, was induced to write some of her reminiscences for Mr. Hearst’s Cosmopolitan magazine. She classifies the Presidents and their wives thus:

William Howard Taft Best natured

Woodrow Wilson Kindest

Warren G. Harding Best dressed

Calvin Coolidge Most frugal

Mrs. Taft Tidiest

The first Mrs. Wilson Most motherly

The second Mrs. Wilson ….Most affectionate

Mrs. Harding Best gowned

Mrs. Coolidge Ostensibly happiest

There is one bed in the White House which Mrs. Jaffray regards as hoodooed. Said she:

“On this bed Mrs. Taft lay for long months, ill. During the next administration the first Mrs. Wilson died in it. Mrs. Harding used the same bed and for months was ill in it.

“With the coming of the Coolidges this bed and its mate were sent to the rooms occupied by the Coolidge boys, and on it little Calvin Coolidge suffered the agonies of blood poisoning. He was removed from it only to die at Walter Reed Hospital.”