The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1902-09-26

at the same time Captain Gallon had
stationed his men about the entrance.
and squad of police who had been
sent to the hospital before the presi.
dent left the club appeared and formed
Gordon about the building. Every.
thing was done with dispatch, and the
gathering crowds were kept at dis
lance. No one was allowed to enter
the hospital except those belonging to
the presidents party. or those who
had special business th"re. From the
time the president left the Columbia
club until he found himself IN hos
pital surrounded by Gordon OF police
and soldiery not more than ten min
utes had elapsed The whole move
ment
Had Been Carefully Planned.
in the Columbia club before it was
carried out and the utmost effort was
made to keep any inkling OF what was
to occur from reaching the street.
The necessary orders to the police
and soldiers were not given until the
last moment, and in this way the
knowledge that something was amiss
was confined only to those who had
an official interest in the presidents
movement. Dame rlmor did not have
an opportunity of arOusing the anxiety
of the thousands OF people who were
gathered along the. streets, and the
transfer of the president to the hos
pital was executed without their hay
ing the least notion of what was trans.
piring. The first public knowledge OF
the true state of affairs came In the
form of bulletin which was issued by
Secretary Cortelyou, and in a short
time the newspaper Offices were the
center of excited crowds.
After the president entered the
operating room with the physicians ne
sat down on a stool and waited 1oE
instructions from the physicians ana
surgeons. watching their preparations
with keen interest.
Il am awfully sorry that cannot
continue my Western trip" said he.
Cant you let me go ahead with IT
after this thing is over?"
Several of the surgeons turned 10
him and one said:
1T is my opinion that you would be
very indiscreet to continue on your
feet as would be necessary in your
speechmaking trip, after the opera
ton. This is by no means serious
thing and there is
Absolutely no Danger
of serious consequences from it II you
are careful and stay off your feet un-
til the trouble is over. But you should
by all means, Mr.. President, discon-
tinue your trip"
Very we'll. then, it will have to be
that way" said the president resign
eddy. II will do as you gentlemen
say Now, what do you want me 10
do?"
The president was told to remove
his shoes and stockings and neither
garments. He also removed his coat
and vest. A moment later, however,
he was told to simply remove his
shoes and they would be required to
bare the leg only. This was done.
The president walked to the operating
table alone.
The operation began without delay.
The pain caused the president to NUT
ter several times in low voice, but
he said nothing that was distinct ex-
cept to ask for glass of water before
the needle had been removed.
After the operation was over, he
made several laughing remarks con-
corning trivial matters.
After being taken to the upper room
from the operating room the presl'
dent was served with light luncheon
and chatted pleasantly to those In the
room. He made several kind remarks
to the nurses about the trouble ne
was causing and shifted his position
several times nervously.
At TAO p m. a white blanket was
thrown around him and he was placed
on the hospital stretcher and escorted
by a company of infantry, was carried
to the car a block away, by four negro
porters from the train. He bade, good
bye to the nurses as he was being
carried out of the hall to the elevator
and
Thanked Them for Their Kindness.
He did not talk during his trip to the
car. Senator Fairbanks. Governor
Durbin and other prominent citizens
were at the train to bid him goodbye.
The swelling of the presidents leg
which made an operation necessary
was occasioned by bruise he re-
ceived at the time of the trolley car
accident at Pittsf1eld, Mass, When the
presidents carriage was run into and
demolished by car. Besides being
injured in the face and across the eye,
the president at thai time received
blow upon the inner part of the left
leg between the ankle and the knee,
but through his characteristics he
paid no attention to it. ignoring it as
being a slight bruise not worth talk
ing about. For several weeks ne
took no heed of it. but finally it began
to pain him so as to enforce his at
tention. After starting on his West
ern trip he determined that perhaps
DR.. Lung, who was aboard the train
should examine it. The doctor did so
and pronounced it to be a serious
matter. When in Detroit the doctor
finally declared that something would
have to be done. After consulting
with DR.. Richardson. another member
of the party. it was decided that in
order to avoid the possibility of blood
poisoning it would probably be wise
to have an operation performed.