The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1902-09-24
TURNS BACK.
President ROOS0volt'S Western
Trip Comes to Sudden End.
Cancels Engagements and Re-
turns to Washington.
ABSCESS ON THE KNEE
As the Result of Accident at
Pittsfield, Mass.
Surgical Operation Performed
in Indianapolis Hospital.
Surgeons Give Assurance That
There Is No Danger.

Indianapolis, Ind, Sept. 24-President
Roosevelt's western trip came to an
untimely end in this CITY, He was found
to be suffering from a swelling of the
left leg between the knee and ankle
that required immediate surgical atten-
ton, and instead of being taken to the
train to continue his journey to Fort
Wayne and Milwaukee, he was convey
ed to st. Vincent's hospital where he
was operated on. The operation occur
red at 3:45 o'clock Tuesday afternoon
and lasted only a short time, when he
was taken to private room in the hos
pital to rest
After taking a light luncheon at 1850
p. m. he was conveyed on a stretcher to
his train. which had been backed upon a
W near the hospital, and at ten min
utes to o'clock the train left for Wash
ington. The first intimation that any
thing 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 monu-
ment for the president to appear 1t
was about half past 2 O'Clock, half an
hour after the time set for the presi-
dent to leave the city, that few of the
favored ones in the crowd received in
tinations that the president was sick
and 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 more serious character
d
sell" was a whisper that went around
among the police officers and soldiers.
This can not be true" said others.
for the president is in the corridor
conversing with Senior Fairbanks"
RUMORS WERE THICK.
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, however did
not appear to reach the crowd, and the
thousands stood patiently after the
speech by the president from the bal
cony 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 it was mo-
ticed that a movement of some kind
was on The presidents carriage stood
in front of the entrance of the club
with Colonel Wilson, the governors
private secretary. inside holding the
large bunch of American beauty roses
that had been given the president in the
hall The soldiers of the National
Guard were drawn up long the street
The secret service men and the local
police and detectives crowded the side
walks in front of the club, keeping bach
to make room, and path was cleared
from the club entrance to the carriage
and as II in answer to the rumors OF
his illness, the president accompanied
by Senator Fairbanks, with a quick
and sturdy gait came down the steps OF
the club and hastily entered the car
rage. Colonel Wilson got out and Sen
ator Fairbanks, Secretary Cortelyou
and Governor Durbin took seats in the
carriage with the president The car
fiAge started Immediately, the horses