The professional world. (Columbia, Mo.) 1901-192?, 1902-09-26

Indianapolis, Sept. "a. - PRESIDENT
Roosevelt's Western trip came to an un-
timely end today. He was found to be
suffering from a swelling in the left leg,
knee and ankle that required immedi-
ate 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 hos
pital. where he was operated on. The
operation occurred at 3:45 o'clock ana
lasted only a short time, when he was
taken to a private oom in the hospital
to rest. After taking a light luncheon
at $50 p. m. he was conveyed or a
stretcher to his train, which had been
backed up on a "Y" near the hospital,
and the train left for Washington.
Conflicting Rumors.
The first intimation that anything
was wrong came in the form of rumors
to the great crowd patiently waiting
around the Columbia club and the sol
diers' and sailors monument for the
president to appear. 1t was about half
past 2 o'clock, half an hour after the
time set for the president to leave
the city, that a few favored ones in the
crowd received limitations that the
president was sick and the rest of the
trip would probably be abandoned.
These statements were denied as last
as they gained currency, but soon the
rumors began to take ON a more serious
character. One was that he had been
shot. The rumors, however, did not APP
pear to reach the crowd. and thousands
stood patiently after the speech by the
president from the balcony to see him
make his way out of the club. Minutes
began to slip away, and still ne did rot
one
Half an hour or more passed and
finally it was noticed that a movement
of some kind was on where the presi-
dents carriage stood in front of the
entrance to the club. The National
Guard was drawn up along the street
just in the rear. Secret service men and
local police and detectives crowded the
sidewalk in front Of the clubhouse
keeping back the people. A command
was given to make room, and a path
was cleared to the carriage. and, as if
in answer to rumors of his illness, the
president. accompanied by Senator
Fairbanks. with a quick, sturdy gait,
came down the steps and hastily en-
tered the carriage. Senator Fairbanks,
Secretary Cortelyou and Governor Dur
bin took seats in the carriage with the
president. The carriage started imme-
diately. A carriage containing secret
service officers followed closely in its
wake and a third II containing As
sistant Secretaries Loeb and Barnes
and Drs. George ]. Cook and ]. j. Rich
ardson, closed up the rear. No sooner
had the carriages started than Captain
Gallon, with 90 mounted a~rtillerymen,
and Captain Hyland, with as many
mounted police, surrounded them and
in q few seconds the cavalcade swung
at a rapid gait down Meridian street.
The crowd in the circle had hardly got
a glimpse of the carriage before they
were gone. Much to their surprise the
soldiers were left behind. and also a
number of carriages. Yet they sent up q
cheer, and apparently took it for
granted there was nothing unusual in
this method of leave-taking, and the
cavalcade started south on Meridian
street between the rows of banked-up
humanity.
Falling rain appeared to furnish a
reason why the presidents carriage
should be entirely closed. The people
cheered as the president passed. When
the depot was reached a slight delay
arose in crossing the tracks because of
a train that was about to leave. The
engine was stopped as it started on its
way across the street. Il the carriages
went galloping owe the tracks and OF
to South street. The crowd at the de-
pot looked upon this maneuver with
wonder, but the carriages turned sharp
ly to the east and in q few minutes the
distance to st. Vincent hospital was
covered AS 500 as Captain Hyland of
the police arrived there he alighted,
and running to the door of the presi-
dent S carriage. he assisted him to
alight and walked with Senator Fair
banks and Governor Durbin up the
stairs of the hospital. The occupants of
the third carriage quickly followed. At
the same time Captain Gallon had sta
toned his men about the entrance, and
a squad of police who had been sent
to the hospital because the president
left the club formed a Gordon about the
building. Everything was done with
despatch and the gathering crowds
were kept at a distance. No one was
allowed to enter the hospital except
those belonging to the presidents par
ty, or those who had special bushes.
After the president entered the
operating room he sat down on a stool
and waited for instructions from physi-
clans and surgeons, watching their
preparation with keen interest. Il am
awfully sorry | cannot continue my
Western trip" said he. Cant you let
me go ahead with it after this thing is
over?" One of the surgeons told him
it would be very indiscreet, assured him
the operation was not serious, and
strongly advised a discontinuance of
the trip. The president then consented
to follow the advice, and prepared for
the operation. 1t proceeded without de-
lay. The president suffered some pain,
but he said nothing. Afterwards he
was taken to a room where he was
served with q light luncheon, chatting
pleasantly to those in the room. At
7:40, lying on a stretcher and escorted
by a company of infantry, he was car
ried to the train.
The operation was made necessary
by a swelling resulting from the ac-
cident at Pittstield, Mass, when a troll
ley car ran into the presidents carriage.
Besides being cut in the face, he re-