The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1902-09-24

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind, Sept 29.-
President Roosevelts Western trip
came to an untimely end in this city
today. He was found to be suffering
the knee and the ankle, caused by the
trolley car accident at Pittsfield, Mass,
that required immediate surgical at
tention, 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 occurred at 3:45 o'clock, and
lasted only short time, when he was
taken to a private room in the hos
pital to rest. After taking a light
luncheon at 1850 p. m. he was con-
veyed on a stretcher to his train, which
had been backed UP on the "Y" near
the hospital, and at ten minutes to
o'clock the train left for Washington.
The first intimation that anything
was wrong came in the form of rumors
to the great crowd that was patiently
waiting around the Columbia club and
the soldiers 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 hotel, that a few favored ones in
the crowd received intimations that
the president was sick, and that the
rest of the trip would probably be
abandoned. These statements were
promptly denied as fast as they gained
currency, but soon the rumors began
to take on a more serious character.
Crowd Stars Rumors.
"The president has burst a blood
vessel was a whisper that went
around among the police officers and
soldiers.
"This cannot be true" said others,
"for the president is in the corridor
conversing with Senator Fairbanks"
Then it was said that the president
was sick, that he had tainted, and
finally rumor was started that he
had been shot. These rumors, how
ever, did not appear to reach the
crowd, and the thousands stood pa
tiently after the speech by the presi-
dent from the balcony to see him make
his way out Of the club. The minutes
began to slip away, and still he did not
come.
A half hour or more passed, and
finally 1t was noticed that a move
ment of some kind was on. The presi-
dents carriage stood in front Of the
entrance Of the club, with Col. Wilson,
the governors private secretary, in
side holding the large bunch of Ameri-
can Beauty roses that had been given
the president in the hall. The soldiers
of the national guard were drawn up
along the street just in the rear. The
secret service men and the loccal po-
lice and detectives crowded the side
walk in front. of the club, keeping back
the people. The command was given
to make room, and a path was clear
ed from the club entrance to the car
riage, and as If in answer to the ru-
mors of his illness, the president, ac-
companied by Senator Fairbanks, with
a quick and sturdy gait, came down
the steps of the club and hastily en-
tered the carriage.
Carriage Moves Rapidly Away.
Col. Wilson got out, and Senator
Fairbanks, Secretary Cortelyou and
with the president. The carriage start
ed Immediately, the horses being urged
into tret. A second carriage contain
ing the secret service officers followed
closely in the wake, and a third one,
containing Secretaries Loeb and
Barnes, and Drs. George ]. Cook and ].
j. Richardson closed up the rear. No
sooner had the carriages started than
Capt. Calm, of Battery A, with twenty
mounted artillermen, and Capt. Hy-
land, with as many mounted police, sur
rounded them, and in few seconds
the cavalcade swung at a rapid gait
down Meridian street. The crowd in
the circle had hardly got glimpse of
the carriage before they were gone.
Much to their surprise the soldiers
were left behind and also number of
the carriages. Yet they sent up a
cheer, and apparently took 1t for grant
ed that there was nothing unusual In
this method of leave-talxing.
The cayalcade started south of Meri-