The morning times., 1897-03-11
PRESIDENT AT THE HOSPITAL
Mr., Mckinley Affected by the Injury to
General Hastings.


He went to the hospital to personally see
the extent Of the old soldiers injuries, and
1t so impressed Gen. Hastings that when
the President left, he could not keep back
the tears OF gratitude.
The circumstances under which the ac.
cIdent occurred are very touching Gen.
Hastings had just bid his Old c0mrade
(Who has been elevated to the highest
office III the gift Of the pcopleD good-by and
started to walk back to his hotel. when
he was accidentally struck down, and in
side of an hour and half the President was
by has bedside in the Emergency Hospital
Gen. Hastings was an officer in the
Twenty-third Ohio Volunteers. Mr. Nc.
hln!eys regiment, and is now the senior
officer in command. Gen Hastings at
present resides in the Bermuda Islands,
where he OWLS several large plantations
lie left home especially to attend the IN
auguration, arrived here on February 20.
and has been stopping at the Ebbitt. He
has made several calls on the President
ana yesterday said farewell at the White
House. previous to his departure for home
on Saturday. He was accompanied by
his friends, Gen. j. L. Botsford and wife
or Youngstown, Ohio.
The party turned from Pennsylvania
avenue into Fifteenth street and strolled
slowly down the sidewalk. Gen Hastings
is very tall and walked with a cane on
account OF a stiff right knee, the result
OF bullet wound at the battle OF Ope-
quon creek. They turned to cross FIT
teenth street directly opposite the june
tion or street. cable car was rapidly
approaching md the general warning the
others with cry, stepped quickly back
When he was struck by Il single horse de
hVery wagon belonging to Golden, Love
q Co., commission merchants, at 926
Louisiana avenue. The general turned
IN Falling and hit the pavement partly
with his right side. He was quickly
Lfted to his feet and stood alone while
zen. Botsford got the name and address
OF the firm who owned the wagon. Gen
BotSford returned and Gen Hastings at
tempted to start across the street He
faltered, turned pale. and would have
fallen II several hystanders had not come
TO his aid and supported him.
A passing coupe was hailed, but Gen
Hastings could not be lifted int it
Finally, the Emergency ambulance was
summoned ana the disabled veteran driven
TO that institution
A hdsty examination at the hospital
showed that the right leg was broken
near the knee, The general was made
as comfortable as possible The fracture
was bandaged and dressed. and a plaster
cast put upouit'by DR. Kerr, DIs Law
renee and Turner assisting him The pa
tient was then removed To a small room
back OF the operating room, and put TO
bed 81 ,-j
AS soon as Gen Hastings was made
comfortable. Gen. Botsford left his wife
to look after him, and went TO the White
House, and notified the President OF the
accident
The President was deeply moved by the
news, and said that he would visit the
general at once. Shortly after O'Clock
he entered his carriage and drove to the
south door of'tle hospital He was ac-
companied bysCoI Taylor, OF East Liver
pool, Ohio, and Capt McWilliams He hur-
riedIy entered the hospital and asked to
be shown to the injured mans room
His face plainly indicated the anxiety
ne felt and when he sa W Gen Hastings
lying upon the bed he grasped his hand
ana shook 1t warmly.
why, general, | am sincerely sorry to
see YOU here" said the President, but
/ hear it Is not serious and am GLAD Of
that"
The old soldier murmured his thanks.
and the President continued checrfuuy:
by the way, this 5 not the first time
I have seen you wounded Let ME see,
the last time was al Winchester, wasn't
it,
And YOU didn't think I'd pull through
that, either
That's So" said the President You're
in better shape now than you were then
What can do for YOU, general"
Nothing, I thank YOU, maD Dr"
"Shal not notify your wife, send her
a cablcgram bout YOUR condition.
No, no, l beg you don't do that She
is not in very good health, and do not
wish her to know am hurt at ali
The President questioned DR. err about
the extent of the injuries and the probable
results, end then advised with Gen Has
tings as to his future plans The Pres
ident remained in the hospital for fully
twenty minutes, and before he left said:
Now, general. command me, day or
night and while you are at the hospital
l shall make it my pleasant duty 10 come
Tears came TO the eyes Of the old soldier
and trickled down his rugged cheeks when
the President shook his hand at parting.
1t was an affecting scene and one that
will long be remembered by those who
witnessed it.
After the President left, Gen. Hastings
was conveyed to the Garfield Hospital
and placed in private room. The hos
ptal report gives the generals injury as
q fracture of the inner tuberoSity Of the
right tibia The injured joint was stiff
before the accident, but now can he moved
about. The accident is serious, but not.
dangerous to a man with a strong con-
stitution. Unless something unexpected
should occur, Gen. Hastings will BE- fully
recovered in few weeks
While Rutherford b Hayes was in the
White House Gen Hastings was frequent
visitor here. His regiment had been origin
ally commanded by President Hayes, and
as result of their continued friendship
Gen. Hastings was always the guest OF
the President during his visits to Washing
ton. The friendship was cemented by his
marriage In the White House tO Miss Emily
Platt, niece Of MFR. Hayes.
Gen. Hastings requested that no charge
be preferred against the driver Of the
vehicle, as he realized that it was an
unavoidable accident, and said he would
refuse o prosecute If charges Were brought
The driver is a young man named James
T. Flynn.
He regretted the accident deeply. Mrs
Rossford said that he was not driving
recklessly, nor at tCo great speed and
in n hp