The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1902-10-03
ABsctss REMOVED FROM LEG
CAUSED BY eRulsE RECEIVED IN
THE ACCIDENT At
PiTTsFIELp.
WESTERN TOUR ENDS ABRUPT,
He RETURNS TO WASHINGTON
WHERE HE MUST SEEK A
SHORT REST.

Indianapolis, Sept. Is. - President
Roosevelt's Western trip came to an
untimely end in this city yesterday.
He was found to be suffering from a
swelling in the left leg between the
knee and the ankle that required i'm.
mediate surgical attention, and instead
of being taken to the train to continue
his journey to Fort Wayne and Mil.
waukee, he was conveyed to St. Vim.
cents hospital, where he was operated
upon. The operation occurred at 3:45
o'clock, and lasted only short time,
when he was taken to a private room
in the hospital to rest. After taking a
light lunch at 1850 p. m. he was con.
veyed on stretcher to his train, which
had been backed up on the Y near the
hospital, and at ten minutes to 8
o'clock the train left for Washington.
Every effort had been made to keep
the knowledge from the public of what
Columbia club to the hospital had been
Carefully Planned,
and the thousands who cheered the
president along the streets thought he
was headed for the depot. From the
time the president left the club until
he found himself in a hospital sur.
rounded by Gordon of police and sol.
diery not more than ten minutes
elapsed.
The first public knowledge of the
true state of affairs came in the form
of bulletin which was issued by Sec.
rotary Cortelyou, and in short time
the newspaper offices were the center
of excited crowds.
After the president entered the op-
Grating room with the physicians he
sat down on stool and waited for in.
structions from the physicians and sur
with keen interest.
II am awfully sorry that cannot
continue my Western trip" said he.
Cant you let me go ahead with it af-
ter this thing is over?"
Several of the surgeons turned to
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
speech-making trip, after the opera.
ton. This is by no means a serious
thing, and there is. absolutely no
danger of serious consequences from
it if you are careful and stay off your
feet until the trouble is over. But you
should by all means, Mr.. President, dis.
continue your trip"
President is Resigned.
Every we'll, then, it will have to be
that way" said the president resigned.
ly. Il will do as you gentlemen say.
N0H1y hot 1o NJ 20 a.
The president was told to remove
his shoes and stockings and neither
garments. He then walked to the op.
Grating table alone, and as he lay
down he remarked with smile:
Gentlemen, you are formal. I see
you have your gloves on" This was p
reference to the antiseptic gloves of
the surgeons.
"Mr. President" said a surgeon,
with smile, ut is always in order to
wear gloves at presidents reception"
This caused the president to ex-
claim:
Good; we'll said"
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 except
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 and asked If he
would be allowed to use his leg long
enough to walk upstairs himself.
"You will be hauled upstairs in a
wheeled ambulance" said a surgeon.
When they brought the vehicle in the
president said: "Why, that's a wheel
barrow"
Carried on a stretcher.
After being taken to the upper, room
from the operating room the president
was served with light luncheon and
chatted pleasantly to those in the
room. He made several kind remarks
TO the attending nurses about the
trouble he was causing and shifted his
position several times nervously.
At 7:40 p. m. q white blanket was
thrown around him and he was placed
on q hospital stretcher and escorted by
a company Of infantry, was carried to
the car, block away, by four negro
porters from the train. He babe good
bye to the nurses as he was being car
ried 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 goodbye.
The swelling Of the presidents leg
which made an operation necessary is
occasioned by q bruise he received at
the time of the trolley car accident at
Pittsheld, Mass, when the presidents
carriage was run into and demolished
by. q car.
Besides Being Injured
ia the face and across the eye. the
president at that time received q
blow upon the inner part Of the left
leg between the ankle and the knee.
but through his characteristics, he paid
no attention TO II, ignoring It as being
aslight bruise not worth talking about.
For several weeks he took no heed of
Il. but finally It began to pain him 90
- % enforce his attention. After