Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1902-09-27
IS ABRUPTLY ENDED.
ENGAGEMENTS of President on His
Western Trip Cancelled.
Abscess Formed on Knee Injured i'm
Pittsfield, Mass, Northumberland
ton Observation-Disclosures to
Wash ing tOn-Not Serious.

indianapolis, Ind, Sept. 24.-Presi-
dent Roosevelt Tuesday afternoon was
forced to abandon the remainder of his
trip to the northwest and to undergo
a surgical operation. The accident
which befell him at Pittsfeld, Mass,
when trolley car crashed into his car
rage, is responsible for the sudden
ending of the presidents trip and his
being compelled to undergo the oper-
alton In that accident his knee was
badly bruised and an abscess soon
formed which gave him some trouble
but not enough at first to interfere
with his plans. The hardships OF his
present trip, however, aggravated the
trouble and DR.. Lung, his official ply
stefan. together with DR.. Richardson,
who accompanied him on the trip,
thought it advisable Tuesday to con-
suit other doctors. Accordingly Drs.
Oliver and Cook were called to the Co
lumbia club, where the president was
to be entertained at luncheon. They
decided that an operation was neces-
sary and that it should be performed
at once. This decision was arrived at
before luncheon, but was not allowed
to interfere with that meal. At the
conclusion Of the luncheon Secretary
Cortelyou issued the following state
ment to the press:
Statement to the Public
GAS a result of the trolley accident at
Pittsfeld Mass, the president re-
ceived several serious bruises. One of
these, on the left leg, between the
knee and the ankle, has developed
into a small abscess. The president is
entirely we'll otherwise and has con-
tinued to meet the several engage
ments of his itinerary, but in view of
the continuance of the abscess and out
of an abundance of caution, Drs. Oliver
and Cook of Indianapolis, were request
ed to meet DR.. Lung, the presidents
surgeon, at Indianapolis, DR.. Richard
son, of Washington, D. c., being also
one of the number. In the opinion Of
the doctors the trouble necessitates
an operation, which they think should
be performed at once at ST. Nincent's
hospital in this city. AS after the
operation the president will require
entire rest, probably for at least ten
days or two weeks, it has been neces-
sary to cancel all the remaining en-
gagements of his trip and he will go
directly from Indianapolis to Wash
ington. The physicians say that the
case is not in any sense serious and
that there is no danger whatever. This
statement is made so that no false ru-
mors may disturb the people and that
they may be authoritatively advised
OF the exact nature of the case.
Taken to the Hospital.
The president was driven from the
clubhouse to St. Vincent hospital.
where he was taken to a private op-
Grating room. He was accompanied bv
Secretary Cortelyou, Assistant Sec
retaries Loeb and Barnes, Gov Durbin
and Senator's Beveridge and Fairbanks.
It was about f: Is o'clock when the doc
tors began the operation. 1t was per-
formed by DR.. John Oliver, assisted by
DR.. Henry jameson and Dr. Cook The
operation was finished and the presi-
dent was removed SO his room He did
not take anesthetics. The president is
cheerful. Secretary Cortelyou, after
the operation, issued the following
statement:
:As a result of the traumalism
(bruise) received in the trolley acct
dent at Pittsfeld, Mass, there was
found to be circums cribed collection
of perfectly pure serum in the middle
third of the left anterior tibial region,
the sac containing about two ounces.
which was removed. The indica tons
are that the president should make
speedy recovery. 1t is absolutely i'm
pera tive, however, that he should re-
main quiet and refrain from using the
leg. The trouble is not serious, but
temporarily disabling.
(Signed) GEORGE B. CORTELYOU,
Secretary to the President"
Off for Washington
At 7:40 p. m. white blanket was
thrown around him, and he was placed
on the hospital stretcher and escorted
by company of infantry was car
ried to the car a block away by four
negro porters from the train. He babe
good-by to the nurses a S 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, Gov. Durbin
and other prominent citizens were at
the train to bid him good-by.
Resting Easily.
Richmond, Ind, Sept. 24.-President
Roosevelt's train arrived here at 9:45
p. III. The president was resting cas-
ily, and the wound on his leg shows no
immediate effects from the short trip
dianapois. On the contrary, the presf-
dent suffered less pain than he has for
several days. He passed the time dur
ing the run here in reading. He is
lying in bed with his leg propped up
on pillow. The train will run on
slow schedule. making about 30 miles