The Van Buren press., 1902-09-27
PRESIDENTS TOUR OFF |
Compelled to Undergo an Operation
yd the Removal CT an Abb
scess at Indianapolis.
RESULT OF THE PI11SFIELD ACCIDENT,
Had Been Suffering From swelling On
the Left Leg. Between the Knee and
the Ankle, Which Could No Longer, be
Ignored President is Declared to
BE in No Danger.

Ignored-The President is Declared to
BE in No Danger.
indianapolis, Ind, Sept. 24,-Presi-
dent Roosevelts western trip came to
an untimely end in this city Tuesday.
He was found to be suffering from
a swelling in the left leg between the
knee and ankle that required imme-
date surgical attention, and, instead
of being taken to the train to con-
tinue his journey to Fort Wayne and
Milwaukee, he was conveyed to st.
Vincent's hospital where he was OPP
Grated on. The operation occurred at
3:45 o'clock and lasted only a short
time, when he was taken to private
room in the hospital to rest
The first intimation that anything
was wrong came in the form of ru-
mors to the great crowd that was
waiting patiently around the Column
bia club and the Soldiers and Sailors
monument for the president to APP
pear 1t was about half past two
o'clock, half an hour after the time
set for the president to leave the city,
that few favored ones in the crowd
had received intimations that the
president was sick and that the rest
of the trip would probably be aban-
doned. :.
President Walked Briskly.
The minutes began to slip away and
still he did not come. Half an hour
or more passed. and finally it was no.
tced that movement of some kind
was on. The presidents carriage
stood in front of the entrance of the
club. The command was made to
give room, and a path was cleared
from the club entrance to the car
riage, and as if in answer to the ru-
mors of his illness the president, ac-
companied by Senator Fairbanks,
with a quick and sturdy gait, came
down the steps of the club and hasti-
ly entered the carriage, Col Wilson
got out and Senator Fairbanks, Sec
rotary Cortelyou and Gov. Durbin took
seats in the carriage with the presi-
dent. The carriage started immedi-
ately, the horses being urged into
trot. ~
The Hospital Reached.
Finally the depot was reached and
a slight delay arose in crossing the
tracks because OF train that was
about to leave. In few minutes the
distance of several squares to the st.
Vincent hospital was covered. AS
soon as Capt. Hyland of the police
arrived there he alighted, and running
to the door of the presidents car
riage, which had stopped, he assisted
him to alight and walked with Sena-
tor Fairbanks and Gov. Durbin up the
steps of the hospital The occupants
Of the third carriage quickly followed
No one was allowed to enter the hos
pital except those belonging to the
presidents party, or those who had
special business there. From the
time the president left the Columbia
club until he found himself in n hos
pital surrounded by Gordon of po-
lice and soldiers not more than ten
minutes had elapsed. The whole move
mcnt had been carefully planned with
the Columbia club before it was car
ricd out.
In the Operating Room.
The first public knowledge Of the
true state Of affairs came in the form
Of bulletin which was issued by
Secretary Cortclyou, and in a short
time the newspaper Offices were the
center Of excited crowds,
After the president entered the OPP.
Grating room with the physicians he
sat down on stool and waited for
instructions from the physicians and
surgeons, watching their preparations
with keen interest.
The president was told TO remove
his shoes and stockings and neither
garments. lie also removed his coat
and vest.
The operation began without delay.
The pain caused the president to NUT
ter several times in n low voice, but
he said nothing that was distinct cX-
cept to ask for n glass of water be-
fore the needle had been removed.
After being taken TO the upper
room from the operating room the
president was served with light
luncheon and chuttcd pleasantly to
those In the room. lie made several
kind remarks 10 the attending nurses
about the trouble he was causing, and
shifted his position several times
ncryously,
AZ 7i0 p, m, u white blanket was
thrown around him and he was
placed ON the hospital strctchcr and
escorted by n company OF infantry
he was CARVED 10 the car block
away by four negro portcrs from The
train. lie bnde good.by to the nurses
ns he wna being carried out of the
hall TO the elevator.
NEWS Al WASHINGTON.