Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1902-10-01
WESTERN TRIP ENDS
President Roosevelt Forced to Aban-
don Tour of Northwest.
Injury to Limb Received in Recent
Trolley Accident Causes Alb
xcex:, and He Is Forced to
Undergo Operation.


dent Roosevelt Tuesday afternoon was
forced to abandon the remainder of his
trip to the northwest and to undergo
a surgical operation. The accident
which befell him at Pittsfeld, Mass,
when trolley car crashed into his car
rage, is responsible for the sudden
ending of the presidents trip and his
being compelled to undergo the oper-
alton. In that accident his knee was
badly bruised and an abscess soon
formed which gave him some trouble
but not enough at first to interfere
with his plans. The hardships of his
present trip, however, aggravated the
trouble and DR.. Lung, his official ply
stefan, together with.Dr. Richardson,
who accompanied him on the trip,
thought it advisable Tuesday to con-
suit other doctors. Accordingly Drs
Oliver and Cook were called to the Co.
lumbia club, where the president was
to be entertained at luncheon. They
decided that an operation was neces-
sary and that it should be performed
at once.
Caused Surprise.
The announcement came as thun-
der clap out of clear sky. The presi-
dent is in such good health otherwise
that it was hard to believe he was
about to submit to an operation. He
had delivered an address earlier in the
day before the Spanish-American war
veterans and also had addressed the
citizens of indianapolis from the bal
cony of the Columbia club
Taken to the Hospital.
The president was driven from the
clubhouse to St. Vincent hospital,
where he was taken to a private op-
Grating room. He was accompanied by
Secretary Cortelyou, Assistant Sec
retaries Loeb and Barnes, Gov. Durbin
and Senator's Beveridge and Fairbanks
It was about 4:15 o'clock when the doc
tors began the operation. 1t was per-
formed by DR.. John Oliver, assisted by
DR.. Henry Jameson and DR.. Cook. The
operation was finished and the presi-
dent was removed to his room. He did
not take anesthetics. The PRESIDENT is
cheerful. Secretary Cortelyou, after
the opera ion, issued the following
statements:
Trouble Not Serious.
GAS a result of the traumalism
(bruise) received in the trolley acct
dent at Pittsfeld, Mass, there was
found to be circumscribed collection
of perfectly pure serum in the middle
third of the left anterior tibial region,
the sac containing about two ounces,
which was removed. The indica tons
are that the president should make
speedy recovery. 1t is absolutely i'm
perative, however, that he should re-
main quiet and refrain from using the
leg. The trouble is not serious, but
temporarily disa bling.
(Signed) GEORGE B. CORTELYOU.
"Secretary to the President"
Return to Washingto
Washington, Sept. 25. - President
Roosevelt returned to Washington at
$3.50 p. m. Wednesday via the Penn
sylvania railroad from Indianapolis,
where he was compelled to abandon
his western trip because of an abscess
on his leg which developed as result
of the trolley accident at Pittsfeld,
Mass. He stood the journey from In
dianapolis> remarkably we'll and when
he was carried in a wheel chair from
the railroad car to his carriage, he
was in excellent spirits and appeared
to be free from any pain. With Mrs.
Roosevelt the president was driven to
the temporary white house on Jack
son place, where according to the pres
ent arrangements he will remain until
the wound is healed and he is able
again to be on his feet.
Plans Trip In the Spring.
In his talk with his callers the pres
ident made known his determination
to visit the northwest next spring.
when he will extend his trip as far as
the coast, during which time he will
visit all the states in which he intended
to stop on the trip just ended. The
president feels very close to the peo-
pie of the northwest, as many years of
his life were spent in that section, and
it was here that he raised his regiment
of rough riders at the outbreak of the
Spanish-American war. He will allow
nothing to stand in his way of going
there in the spring. He had nothing
but kind words to say of the treatment
he received from the sisters who have
charge of St. Vincent's hospital at In
dianapolis, where he was operated
upon.
ABANDONS THE PLAN.