Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1898-09-06
VISIT SICK HEROES.
President Mckinley and Party Inc
spect Camp Wikoff.
JOYFULLY GREETED BY THE TROOPS.
Whe Hospitals and General Camp
/. Are Closely Inspected-Address
to Assembled Soldiers Full
II of Glowing Praise.

Z Camp Wikoff, Montauls Point, Sept.
b.-President Mckinley spent Eve hours
An the camp Saturday, bareheaded most
of the time, visiting the sick in the hos
pitfalls and inspecting the well in their
cantonments. He made speech to the
assembled infantryman, reviewed the
cavalrymen, expressed his opinion of
the camp to the reporters, and issued
an order directing the regulars to re-
turn to their stations east OF the Mis-
sissippi.
On the train returning to New
Mork Mr.. Mckinley made this state
|ment, II was very much pleased
to meet the heroes Of Santiago and to
observe their splendid spirit. What
saw of the care of the sick men in the
hospitals by those in charge, and by the
noble women engaged in that work
iwas especially gratifying to me-"
Gen. Wheeler arranged for the in
speotion party to go through the de-
tention camp, past Gen. Skaters tent,
where the president could greet the
commander Of the Santiago forces.
With the president, besides the Sec
retary of war, were:
Vice President Hobart, Attorney-General
Griggs. Senator Redfield Proctor, of Yer
mont; Brig. Gen. Egan, Brig. Gen. Lud-
1ngton, Maj. Webb G. Hayes, son Of the
late President Hayes; Col. NJ. T. Herr!ck,
of Cleveland; William Mckinley Barber,
Of Canton, O.; II. H. Herrick Of Cleve-
Land; Secretary Porter and Assistant Sec
retary Cortelpou.
The ladies Of the party were Mrs. Alger
and Miss Hscker.
Maj. Gen. Wheeler was surrounded
by a number of his staff. The car
riages, preceded by the cavalry, wound
up the hill to Gen. Wheeler's head
quarters.
There the president took long view
of the wide, treeless expanse, check
cred with regimental camps and hos
pitfalls, great porterres of canvas amid
stretches of grass.
"This is beautiful" Mr., Mckinley
eaid, and then later: 81 think I never
saw handsomer camp"
After two minutes wait the presi-
dent drove through the detention
camp to Maj. Gen Skaters tent. The
general was in full uniform, but his
face was flushed with fever. He en-
deavored to rise from the chair in
which he sat as the president entered
the tent.
Don't get up general" said Mr..
Mckinley, as they shook hands. "You
are entitled to rest. How are your"
"a little achy," replied the general,
,''but otherwise ali right"
Mrs. Alger remainedin Gen. Skaters
tent while the president, Secretary
Ager, Mr.. Griggs and others went to
the general hospital.
Entire Camp Inspected.
Gen. Wheeler, who rode beside the
presidents carriage, pointed out the
different places OF interest. All the
nurses and physicians were assembled
at the hospital when the president ar
rived. The cheers were spontaneous
and ringing The president went into
the tents alone or with Gen. Wheeler
and made a personal inspection. The
tents were In admirable condition.
Everything was clean and attractive,
and the wan patients smiled joyfully
as the president went to them grasp
Ing many by the hand, as if they were
his own brothers and sons. So the Wis
fling was continued from tent to tent
from division to division. until the en-
tire camp had bean inspected.
Introduced by Gen. Wheeler.
a visit was paid to the infantry plain
where the cheering was prolonged and
the men showed themselves in high
spirits. Men of the Ninth Massachu-
sets, First Illinois, Eighth Ohio and
Thirteenth, Twenty-frst, Twenty-sec-
ond and Twelfth regular infantry were
assembled without arms. About 5000
stood in close order and Gen. Wheeler
raid:
The president of our great country has
come here to greet the soldiers who
marched 30 CALAMITY up San Juan hill on
July /. He comes here to express the ma
lions thanks to these brave men, / wish
10 tell you that when the president sent me
mere, TWO weeks ago. to command this
camp he entoined me In the most emphatic
language that should. without regard to
expense, exercise any and every authority
necessary to make comfortable this body
OIL brave men, who, by their courage, have
raised this republic to the highest position
among the great nations of the earth.
nave the honor and pleasure of introducing
20 you the president of the United States"
Speech by the President.
When the cheering subsidized Presi-
dent Mckinley responded as follows:
Gen. Wheeler, Soldiers of Camp Wikoff
Soldiers of the Fifth Army Corps: trust
that you will put your hats on-I am glad
to meet you. am honored to stand be-
fore you to-day I bring you the gratitude
of the nation to whose history you have
added by your valor new and glorious
page You have come home after two
months of severe campaigning, which has
embraced assault, siege and battle, so bril-
liant In achievement, SO far-reaching in re-
suits as to command the unstinted praise
Of all your countrymen.
You had the brunt of the battle on land
You bore yourselves with supreme courage,
and your personal bravery, never before ex-
celled anywhere, has won the admira ton
OF your fellow citizens and the genuine re-
spect of all mankind, while your endurance
under peculiar trial and suffering has
given added meaning to your heroism
Your exertions made easy the conquest of
Puerto Rico under the resstless army COM
manded by Maj. Gen. Miles, and behind
you, to proceed at a moments summons
were more than 100000 of your comrades
ready to support you, disappointed that the
opportunity which you had did not come to
them, yet filled with pride at your Welt
earned fame and rejoicing upon your sig
nal victories.
"You were on the line of battle-they. no
less than you, were in the line of duty All
have served their country In its need, all
will serve it SO long as they may be re-
CURED. and all will forever have the thanks
and regard of a grateful people.
1--WE cannot bid You welcome here to-
day without our hearts going out TO the