The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1902-09-25


sent to the hospital before the presi-
dent left the club appeared and formed
a Gordon about the building Every
thing was done with dispatch, and the
gathering crowds were kept at a dis
lance. No one was allowed to enter
the hospital except those belonging to
the presidents party, or those who
had special business there. From the
time the president left the Columbia
club until he found himself in a hos
pital surrounded by Gordon of police
and soldiery not more than ten min
utes had elapsed. The whole move
ment ,
Had Been Carefully Planned.
in the Columbia club before it was
carried out and the utmost effort was
made to keep any inkling of what was
to occur from reaching the street.
The necessary orders to the police
and soldiers were not given until the
last moment, and in this way the
knowledge that something was amiss
was confined only to those who had
an official interest in the president
movement. Dame rumor' did not have
an opportunity of arousing the anxiety
of the thousands of people who were
gathered along the streets, and the
transfer of the president to the hos
pital was executed without their hav-
ing the least notion of what was trans
piring. The first public knowledge of
the true state of affairs came in the
form of a bulletin which was issued by
Secretary Cortelyou, and in a short
time the newspaper Offices were the
center of excited crowds.
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
II am awfu1ly sorry that I cannot
continue my Western trip" said he.
Cant you let me go ahead with it
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
ton. This is by no means serious
thing and there is
ApSOlUtely no hanger
OF serious consequences from it If you
are careful and stay off your feet I'M
til the trouble is over. But you should
by all means, Mr.. President, discon-
tinue your trip
Very well, then, 1t will have to be
that way" said the president resign
eddy. II will do as you gentlemen
say. Now, what do you want me TO
do?'
The president was told to remove
his shoes and stockings and neither
garments. He also removed his coat
and vest. 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 a 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
corning trivial matters.
from the operating room the presi-
dent was served with light luncheon
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 TAO p. m. white blanket was
thrown around him and he was placed
or the hospital stretcher and escorted
by a company of infantry, was carried
to the car, block away, by four negro
porters from the train. He babe good
bye to the nurses as he was being
carried out of the hall to the elevator
and
Thanked Them for Their Kindness
He did not talk during his trip to ths
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 occasioned by a bruise he re-
ceived at the time of the trolley car
accident at Pittsfeld, Mass, when the
presidents carriage was run into and
demolished by a 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 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
poisoning it would probably be wise
to have an operation performed.
PRESIDENT RESTING EASY.
Is Suffering Less Pain in His Leg