Evening star., 1897-03-10
P1esi6elt McKinley's Old Command
er Run Down by a Wagon.
HIS LEFT LEG Is BROKEN
Visited at the Emergency Hospital
by the President.
THE LATTER'S ANXIETY

A painful accident, resulting in frac-
ture of the left leg, happened to General
Russell Hastings. the commander of the
famous 23d Ohio Regiment, of which Pres
ident Mckinley was a member, this after
noon at half-past II.
General Hastings, accompanied by his
friends. Gen. j. L. Botsford and wife Of
Youngstown, Ohio, had just visited the
White House. and was returning to the
Ebbitt House. While crossing 18th street
wagon belonging to Golden & Love,
commission merchants, ran him down. The
hind wheel struck the general and kn ock-,
ed him down, fracturing his right leg rear
the knee joint.
General Hastings was injured at the
battle of Opequon creek, and the fracture
was located in the injured leg.
Surgical Attention.
The Emergel cy ambulance was hurriedly
summoned and conveyed the injured man
to the hospital. where DR.. Hooe put the
leg up in temporary dressing and later
in the day DR.. w. p. Carr dressed it.
General Hastings at present is located at
Bermuda and came here to attend the in
augural ceremonies. He paid his respects
this morning to the President, and was to
have sailed for home Saturday.
The Presidents Sympathy.
AS soon as the general was made COM
Portable General Botsford went at once to
the White House and notified the Presi-
dent cf the accident which had befallen
his old commander. The President sent a
handst me bunch of flowers and a personal
letter expressing sympathy. and urged the
general to command him if he could be of
service to him. He added that he would
call upon him as soon as possible.
Visited hy the President
1t was just twenty minutes after 2 this
afternoon when the Presidents private
carriage drove up to the south door OF the
hospital. The President did not wait for
the coachman to open the door. He plainly
showed his anxiety for his old commander.
He accompanied by Col. Taylor Of
East Liverpool, Ohio, and Capt. McWil-
liams. Hastily entering the hospital the
President was directed by Dr. Hooe to the
little room adjoining the emergency room
where Gen. Hastings was located.
the President rushed up to his old COM
msnder. and, graspinG his hand, shook it
warmly.
why, general, I am indeed sorry to find
you here. But 1 understand it is not Sc
rious. and that's good. 1t all comes from
running away from soon. Let me
see. the last time / saw you wounded was
at Winchester, where you were wounded."s
Yes, and you didn't think ia pull
through, either. did your
"No. SIR" replied the President your
condition now Is much better than 1t was
thea"
Gen. Hastings then introduced DR.. w. P.
Carr. ard the President turning to DIR. Carr
said:
Now, doctor, use your greatest skill ON
the general"
Anxious About His Friend.
The doctor assured him he would, and
said he was not dangerously injured.
What plans have you, general, for the
future?' asked the President.
why, Doctor Carr here has recommend.
ed Garfield Hospital, and 1 guess it's a
good place"
Yes. it is ! have made inquiries. and II
is all right Now, general, command me
| day or night. and while you are at the
| hospital l shall make 1t my pleasantHduty
| to come out and see you. Goodbye, OLD
| fellow
| General Hastings was moved to tears al
| the kindness Of the chief executive. As
| soon as the President left General Hasting:
| was conveyed to the hospital by DR.. Hooe.