The Indianapolis journal., 1902-09-24
long speech. 1t was expected he would

long speech. 1t was expected he would
only make a few extemporaneous remarks.
The stay there was extended in order that
he might make the whole speech.
Word was sent to the newspaper corre-
spondents from the Presidents car that an
explanation would be given at 8 o'clock
this afternoon. In the minds of experienced
Washington newspaper reporters this was
at once significant Extremely important
news is always authoritatively issued after
8 o'clock. This is after the day in the
business world has closed. 1t gives time
for all wild rumors. which suddenly grow
out of grave news. to be investigated and
settled. The next day starts with straight
information. which can be depended upon.
All day long quiet efforts were being made
to discover what had induced the President
to deliver the speech. 1t was generally as
on proposed tariff legislation, but no one for
a moment thought of the real situation. In
the meantime that wonderful man, George
Bruce Cortelyou, secretary of the Presi-
dent of the United States. had gone about
in his practical and quiet way to reach the
physicians and surgeons most desirable to
thought of that day little over year
ago when he had the grave responsibility
of reporting to the President of the United
States that he had made the selection of
physicians and surgeons for the stricken
Mckinley
The wounded man asked Mr.. Cortelyou If
these were the best surgeons. and the sec
retary replied: II think so. Mr.. President"
"All right; go ahead" he responded.
Mr.. BEvERIDGE WAS CONSULTED.
Senator Beveridge. who had taken the
train at Logansport, was consulted as to
the physicians and he sent the kilograms
to the indianapolis physicians, asking that
they meet him at the train. The physicians
were there as requested, but so adroitly had
the matter been handled no one knew of
est suspicion that the President was suf-
fering.
Up to this time he had a faint hope that
the Indianapolis physicians would decide
that something might be done to relieve
him without stopping the trip, but this
illusion was soon dispelled. He further
wanted to deliver another speech which he
had prepared for a later date at the Tom
linson Hall meeting. There was no time to
pointed. because he was desirous Of max
ing certain public expressions at this time.
The leg caused him great pain while he
was making his speech in the hall and in
finitely more at the Columbia Club. While
he was making his open-air speech he
leaned heavily on the balcony with his
hands most of the time, relieving his leg
of the weight of his body.
PRECAUTIONS TAKEN.
The President saw to it himself that the
public announcement of his illness was
properly prepared. All the spare time dur
ing the day was taken up in inditing the
necessary kilograms. simultaneously with
the press announcement messages were
sent to leading government officials and to
other men in order that extravagant ru-
mors might be quickly denied. Not only
was this done, but means were taken to
have authoritative news given out in many
ways in order that the public might be
quickly satisfied as to the Presidents real
condition. After all this was done the Pres
ident said. cheerfully and decisively:
Now that everything is ready, let us
act quickly"
He was the merriest one Of the party In
the drive to the hospital. The thing which
weighed most heavily on his mind was the
disappointment to the cities and persons
who had made arrangements for his enter
tainment Over and over again he re-
marked that it seemed pity to disappoint
them for such trifiing injury. He was
jocular and light-hearted when he went to
the operating room. While the operation
was in progress he remarked that he was
able to give expert testimony to the fact
that something was going on. He referred
to the pain, which for a moment was in
tense despite the fact that the place had
been sprayed with anesthetics. He also
kept up a running fire of comments while
the operation was. going on, paying his
compliments to trolley cars generally. He
observed that If he was to be hurt at all
the left leg seemed to be good place.
GRATEFUL TO SURGEONS.
The President insisted that the working
of the aspirator be described to him. He
examined the little instrument with its
glass cylinder, its two-inch long. hollow.
steel needle one-sixteenth of an inch in
diameter and it's perforated end. He un-
derstood that the serum was to be removed
by making a vacuum in the cylinder, which
would cause the serum to flow through the
hollow needle. 1t was necessary to pump
out the abscess three times. He was in
formed as soon as 1t was known that the
matter taken out was pure serum and that
there was no danger of contamination of