Mower County transcript., 1902-10-01
HIS TRIP ABANDONED
PRESIDENT FORCED TO UNDERGO
A SURGICAL OPERATION AT
INDIANAPOLIS.
As Result of His Recent Injury at
PittsfieId, Mass, an Abscess Formee
i on His Left Leg and Immediate
Treatment Was Necessary to Avoid
Blood Observation-Disclosures An
ticipate No Serious Consequences.


indianapolis, Sept. 24-President
Roosevelt's Western trip came to
al untimely end in this city during
the day. He was found to be suffer
ing from a swelling in the left leg
between the knee and the ankle that
required immediate surgical attention,
and instead of being taken to the train
to continue his journey to Fort Wayne
and Milwaukee, he was conveyed to
St. Vincent's hospital, where he was
operated upon. The operation oc-
Cured at 3:45 o'clock, and lasted only
q short time, when he was taken to
q private room in the hospital to rest.
After taking light luncheon at 1850
p. m, he was conveyed on a stretcher
to his train, which had been backed
up on the "Y' near the hospital, and
the train left for Washington.
After the president entered the
operating room with the physicians he
sat down on a stool and waited for
instructions from the physicians and
surgeons, watching their preparations
with keen interest.
Il am awful1y sorry that I cannot
continue my Western trip said he.
Cant you let me go ahead with 1t
after 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
speechmaking trip, after the opera
tion. This is by no means serious
thing and there is
Absolutely No Danger -
of serious consequences from it if you
are careful and stay off your feet un-
til the trouble is over. But you should
by all means, Mr.. President, discon-
tinue your trip ..t
"Very we'll, then, it will have to be
that way" said the president resign
edly. Il will do as you gentlemen
do?"
his shoes and stockings and neither
garments. He also removed his coat
and vest. A moment later, however,
he was told to simply remove his
shoes and they would be required to
bare the leg only. This was done.
The president walked to the operating
table alone.
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 ex-
cept to ask for a glass of water before
the needle had been removed. -:
After the operation was over, he
mol 1o11 rnys11o
corning trivial matters.
After being taken to the upper room
from the operating room the presi-
and chatted pleasantly to those in the
room. He made several kind remarks
to the nurses about the trouble he
was causing and shifted his position
several times nervously.
At 7:4O p. m. a white blanket was
thrown around him and he was placed
on the hospital stretcher and escorted
by a company of infantry, was carried
tO the car, a block away, by four negro
porters from the train. He bade good
bye to the nurses as he was being car
ried out of the hall to the elevator and
Thanked Them for Their Kindness.
ne u1u AOL Id1h LIS IIlp 10 LIE
Car. Senator Fairbanks, Governor
Durbin and other prominent citizens
were at the train to bid him goodbye.
The swelling of the presidents leg
which made an operation necessary
was occasfoned by bruise he re-
ceived at the time of the trolley car
accident at Pittsfield. Mass, when the
presidents carriage was run into and
demolished by car. Besides being
injured in the face and across the eye,
the president at that time received a
blow upon the inner part of the left
leg between the ankle and the knee,
but through his characteristics he
paid no attention to it, ignoring it as
being a slight bruise not worth talk
ing about. For several weeks he
took no heed of it, but finally it began
to pain him so as to enforce his at
tention. After starting on. his West
ern trip he determined that perhaps
DR.. Lung, who was aboard the train,
should examine it. The doctor did so
and pronounced it to be a serious
matter. When in Detroit the doctor
finally declared that something would
have to be done. After consulting
with DR.. Richardson, another member
of the party, it was decided that in
order to avoid the possibility Of blood