Evening star., 1901-09-12

Special From a STAFF Correspondent
MILBURN HOUSE, BUFFALO, N. Y.
September IA steady downpour of rain
made gloomy and miserable morning
about the Milburn house. The sentries, In
their rubber coats, plodded their beats over
the sodden lawns. beneath dripping trees.
and the roof Of every tent in the little camp
on the corner made a miniature Niagara
No crowds hung over the rope barriers,
and the policemen on guard stood dripping
monuments OF the laws watchfulness. But
IL II was dark and cheerless out of doors.
not 80 inside Milburn house. There an
air of serenity, hope. and, above ALL Of
great thankfulness, prevailed. The Presi-
dent had experienced good night. aad
only one doctor had remained with him
Early in the morning this attendant, DR..
Rixey, had sent out word to the anxious
watchers in the press tents that the Pres
idents condition was entirely satisfactory.
The best news, however. came about $50
a m, after the morning consultation of the
physicians had been held. DR.. Mynter was
the first doctor out and said the President
had taken some solid food. A shout OF de-
light went up from the little group OF
was communicated. A bit of toast and
coffee furnished the Presidents
breakfast, and he seemed to relish It
hugely, he said.
the Milburn house, with elated manner.
and his face had on a broad smile. He said
the Presidents condition was eminently
satisfactory, and confirmed the news about
the President having been given solid food.
DIR. McBurney Talks of the Case.
DIR. McBurney remained with the Presf-
dent hour after the other consulting ply
sicians departed this morning. When he
came out he talked freely about the case
and was in a glow of radiant spirits over
the prospects. There has been a large i'm
provement since last night" were his first
words I'VE have found for one thing that
his stomach can stand a great deal or
nourishment. If he can bear nourishment
we don't care about anything else. So, this
morning, we gave him a large cup of coffee,
big bowl of chicken broth and piece OF
toast. He ate it all with evident relish. He
will have a soft-boiled egg next thing.
When he finished his breakfast he asked for
a mild cigar, but told him l would do all
the smoking this morning.
The President sighed, and then said:
Well, doctor, you will find plenty of them
down stairs"
Dr. McBurney was asked when the Prest-
dent could sit up.
well. that is largely question Of me-
chanics,' he replied. He will be, from
health point of view able to sit up long be-
fore he can mechanically do so, on account
of that open wound.
DR.. McBurney then gave this description
OF the present condition of the wound:
Description of the Wound.
''The incision made in the abdomen was
about five inches long, running up and down
through the bullet wound. The surgeons
had to lay open the channel of that wound
and cleanse 1t. This incision was then
sewed up It's entire length Last Tuesday
night. when few signs Of angri-
ness around the bullet hole, we took out one
stitch above the punoture and one stitch be-
low 1t, to treat the wound. These two
stitches have been left out. and the wound
will be permitted to heal by granuation."
DR.. McBurney today left the city, to be
absent two or three days. but will return.
He said he thought the President would be
able to sit up within four weeks.
Clouds Break Away.
About 1890 am the weather changed,
the rain clouds blowing off before a spank
ing southwest wind that dried the miles of
asphalted streets in a jiffy. The atmos-
phere was cool and bracing and patches OF
blue in the sky that appeared between the
masses Of gray clouds quickly turning to
fleece prophesied a glorious day coming.
After the doctors left Secretary Cortel-
you and his assistants put in another day
of toll over the voluminous correspondence
that is piling up. Mr.. Cortelyou attends to
official communications from the absent
heads of departments, and is court of last
resort for all questions concerning arrange
ments for the Presidents comfort. He il
an indefatigable worker, Is UP at all hours
of the day and night, but remains the same
equable, gentle and courteous official who
endeared himself to every one who came in
contact with him at Washington.
Secretary Root and Postmaster General
Smith will leave Buffalo today.
Secretary Wilson and Secretary Hitch
cock VIII not leave until they go with The :
President.
blood Test Last Might.
Two events occurred last night. One was
the ''blood-count" for the detretion Of
traces of blood poisoning should they exist
and the other was the removal of the Pres
ident to another bed. The blood test was
made by DR.. Wasdin Of the marine hos