The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-09-24


graph from Logansport to surgeons in this
city to meet the presidential train and
hold a consultation regarding the best
time to perform the operation. Senator
Beverage telegraphed to DR.. John H. OH
yer and DR.. George ]. Cook. and they had
charge of the operation. 1 am glad that
We were in Indianapolis when the opera
ton became necessary. for this city has
competent surgeons and this hospital Is
probably as good as any one in the coun-
try. The President has received extraordi-
narily good treatment here. He spoke this
morning and at noon at the Columbia
Club while suffering great pain. He re-
GREETED having to cancel the remainder of
the trip. but it was deemed advisable to
return to Washington Immediately
Secretary Cortelyou ordered four OF the
Pullman porters on the presidential train
to report at the hospital. and the porters
took their positions near the main entrance.
They remained there until the time ar
rived for the removal of the President.
and they carried the stretcher on which
the President lay to the train. DIR. Oliver
came from the hospital accompanied by a
secret-service officer and they drove to
of the rear door of the Presidents private
stretcher could be carried into the train.
DR.. Oliver soon returned to the hospital.
ORDER TO THE OFFICERS.
1t was about 1880 when the mounted po-
lice and the detachment from Battery A
were ordered to take their position on Del
aware street, opposite the hospital. The
South-street entrance was not left UNI
guarded, as members Of the militia were
ordered to remain there. The four Pull
man porters, Secretary Cortelyou and men,
bers Of the secret service took their posi-
lions near the Delaware-street entrance.
Secret-service officers carefully scrutinized
every person who was on the inside Of the
ropes. Three of the officers stood by the
door, while others waited on the curb or
waited by the crowd on the opposite side
of the street
The Pullman porters were ordered into
the hospital and they carried the stretcher
to the train. Senator Beveridge left the
hospital in advance of the party, and as
the porters came out bearing the President,
Secretary Cortelyou stepped to the side
of the stretcher and was followed by three
secret-service men.
There was a death-like stiffness and the
people craned their necks to catch a
glimpse of the President. As the President
was carried from the hospital he lay fat on
hts back and the covers were pulled up un-
der his chin. His eyes were closed for a
time, and as the light from the electric
lamps spread on his face as he was carried
to the middle Of the street many men in
the crowd removed their hats, believing
that the Presidents condition was very
serious.
Women stood near the ropes nervously
watching the procession. Mounted police
led the way to the train, which was less
than a square away. The detachment OF
artillerymen marched on either side of the
stretcher, with Senator Beverage directly
In front and Secretary Cortelyou and Sc
cret-service officers walking at the rear.
A complete guard was stationed around
the stretcher, while militiamen and pa
trolmen walked next to the curb to prevent
the crowd from surging to the middle OF
the street.
There was no demonstration of any kind
as the people seemed to think that the chief
executive was in a precarious condition
So complete was the guard around the
stretcher that the people could not get a
glimpse of the President as he was
carried to the train. The crowd
moved forward, and it was with some
difficulty that the secret service men,
militia and police officers pushed the people
back from the train. One officious militia
officer refused to permit members of the
presidential party near the train and even
ordered some of the secret service officers
back.
Efforts were made to lift the stretcher to
the platform, but it could be seen that the
stretcher could not be placed in position
where it could be taken into the car. Pres
ident Roosevelt was tenderly lifted from
the stretcher near the steps of the private
car, and in the hands Of three stalwart
secret service officers. directed by DR.. OIL
yer, the President was carried slowly into
the car. He was partially dressed and
wore his glasses, but his face showed thai
he had suffered pain. AS the people near
the car caught sight of the magnificent
form of the President as he was lifted
into the car and realized for the first time
that his condition was evidently not very
serious there were half-smothered cheers