The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1902-09-24
TRIP ABRUPTLY ENDS
SURGICAL OPERATION CURTAILs
PRESIDENTS TOUR,
ABSCESS THREATENED POISON
PHYSICIANS FIRMLY FORBID CON-
TINUED ITINERARY.

sary Operation without the Aid of
Amaze sthetics - Operation Highly
successful, Though the President
at No Time i'm Danger-Party
Leaves on Slow Special for the Ma
tional Capital.
Indianapolis, Sept. 23-President
Rooseyelts Western trip came to an
untimely end in this city to-day. He
was found to be suffering from a
swelling in the left leg, between the
knee and the ankle, which required
stead 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 on. The operation occurred
at S:45 o'clock and lasted only short
time Then he was taken to a private
room in the hospital to rest. After
taking a light luncheon at 1880 p. M,
he was conveyed on a stretcher to his
train, which had been backed up on a
"Y." near the hospital, and 1850 o'clock
the train left for Washington.
The first intimation that anything
was wrong came in the form of rumors
to the great crowd, which was pa
tiently waiting near the Columbia Club
and the soldiers and sailors monument
for the President to appear. 1t was
about 2:30 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 that the rest
of the trip had been abandoned. These
statements were as promptly denied,
as fast as they gained currency, but
soon the rumors began to take on
more serious character.
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 a rumor was started that he
had been shot These rumers, however,
did not appear to reach the crowd A
half hour or more passed, and finally
II was noticed that movement of
some Kind was on. The Presidents car
rage stood in front of the entrance of
the club. with Col. Wilson, the Gov
ernor's private secretary, inside hold
ing 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
along the street just in the rear. The
secret service men and the
local police and detectives crowded
the sidewalks in front of the club,
keeping back the people The COM
mand was given to make ROOM" and
a path was cleared from the club en-
trance to the carriage, and as if In
answer to the rumors of his illness,
the President, accompanied by Senator
Fairbanks, with a quick and sturdy
gait came down the steps and hastily
entered the carriage. Col. Wilson got
out and Senator Fairbanks, Secretary
Cortelyou and Gov. Durbin took seats
in the carriage with the President. The
carriage started Immediately for st.
Vincent Hospital. Though the carriage
was closed, the crowds on the street
cheered At the hospital the President
alighted and walked with Senator Fair
banks and Gov. Durbin up the steps
of the hospital. A squad of police
formed a Gordon about the building
President Was Cool.
After the President entered the OPP
for Instructions from the physicians
and surgeons, watching their prepara-
tons with keen interest.
Il am awfully sorry I cannot con-
tinue my Western trip" he said. Can
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 your OPP
Grafton. This is by no means
serious thing and there is
absolutely no danger of serious
consequences from it, if you are care
1ul and stay off your feet until the
trouble is over. But you should by all
means, Mr.. President, discontinue your
trip"
Very well, then. it will have to be
that way" said the President resign
edly
The operation was begun without
delay The pain caused the President
TO mutter several times in a low voice,
put he said nothing that was distinct,
except to ask for a glass of water pc
lore the needle had been removed. At
Ter the operation was over, he MADE
several laughing remarks.
After being taken to an upper room
from the operating room, he was serV-
ed with a light luncheon and chatted
pleasantly to those in the room. He
made several kind remarks to the at
lending 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
on the hospital stretcher and escorted
oy company of infantry. was carried
10 the car block away by four negro
porters from the train.
Cause of the Abscess.
The swelling of the leg, which made
an operation necessary. was occasioned
ny bruise he received at the time OF
the trolley car accident at Pittsiield.
Aass. Besides being injured in the face
ana across the eye the President at
mat time received blow on
the inner part OF the left leg
Detween the ankle and knee. but,
hdraeteristically. he paid no attention
/" IT, ignoring IL as being a slight
Diuihe, not worth talking about For
'ttfa! weeks he took no heed OF H.,
Dl' nbally II began 10 pain him 50 as
enforce his attention. After start
,s on his Western trip he determined
Nat Or Lung, who Was aboard the
Helh' should examine A. The doctor
tiN - and pronounced n % be Sc
''ts matter. When IN Detroit the
~ nn9ily declared that something
ppla be- done. After consulting WIN
hiehafason. smother member