Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1902-02-22
HOMEWARD BOUND.
Mrs. Roosevelt Starts With
Young Teddy for Home.
Decision Made Hastily and Departure
Was in Snow Storm.
The Lad Standing Journey Well and
Will Reach Home, Today.

Grofon, Mass, Feb. 2l.-TheodOre
Roosevelt, Jr., who has been i'll with
pneumonia for two weeks in the Gro
ton school infirmary, is homeward
bound. tonight. Bundled to his eyes
with blankets, he was taken in a cov-
cred sleigh from the infirmary to the
special train which had been in readi-
ness at the GrOtOn station for several
days. Tine lad was accompanied by
Mrs. Roosevelt and DR.. p. NJ. Rixey,
while in another conveyance was Miss
Roosevelt. A light snow was falling
at the time. The departure of the party
was SO unexpected that not dozen
persons were at the station when the
train pulled out. The party occupied
the private car Convoy and the inten-
ton was to have it taken through to
Providence and there attached to the
Federal express.
The decision to take young Roosevelt
to Washington was made during lunch
at u o'clock. DR.. Warner, the school
physician. all the morning had been
opposed to change Of the patient at
this time and under the threatening
weather conditions. DIR. Rixey gave his
opinion that the lad would stand the
journey all right and that the weather
at this time was probably no worse
than II would be, tomorrow or possibly
Sunday. judging from the weather fore
cast. At lunch. DR.. Warren reluctantly
consented to allow the patients re-
moval. after it had been pointed out
that II big storm should come. as
predicted, his removal might be pre-
vented for several days. 1t was Mrs.
ROosevelts wish to have her son in
Washington rs soon as he could be
moved with safety. owing to the Off
cial duties which will devolve upon her
during the next fortnight.
Until this morning the arrangements
had been made for the party's return,
Saturday. but this noon in discussion.
DIR. Rixay pointed out that If the start
was DELAYED until morning the storm
might cause delay along the road, es-
pecially If the snow was heavy. Imme-
diately after lunch baggage was pre-
pared for the departure of the party
and when at o'clock all were driven
to the station very few in the school
knew of II. DIR. Peabody was not in
formed until nearly time for the good
byes to be said.
Worcester. Mass, Feb. 2l.-Theodore
Roosevelt, Jr.. in charge of his mother.
his sister Miss Alice Roosevelt. and DIR.
p. NJ. Rixey. en- route to Washington.
arrived In Worcester from GrOton on a
special train over the Boston e. Maine
road at $50 p. NJ. and the party was
switched onto the tracks of the New
York, New Haven & Hartford railroad
over which II will proceed at Go p. M.
to Providence. where it will take the
Federal Express for Washington.
DIR. Rixey informed a representative
OF The Associated Press that the boy
In standing the journey very well, as
the car is perfectly comfortable. A
large crowd was at the Union station
to see the members of the party. but
Dr. Rixey was the only one who showed
himself. as the members of the Roose-
veit party drew the curtains to shield
themselves from the gaze of the
throng.
Providence. r. l., Feb. 21.-The reg
ular train from Worcester to which the
special car Convoy bearing the Roose-
welt boy and other members of his fam
lily was attached, arrived here at 7.25,
the schedule time. Notwithstanding the
heavy snow storm. 1t is understood
that the sick boy is in no way dis
tressed because of the journey and that
he il comfortable. The car was at
tached to the rear of the Federal ex-
press Immediately upon it's arrival at
SO7 from Boston. The train left for
Washington at S.21.