The Oskaloosa herald. (Oskaloosa, Mahaska County, Iowa) 1885-1919, 1907-08-29
SECRETARY ROOT
FAST RECOVERING
REGAINING HIS HEALTH AND EN-.
EReY AT MuLDooN's.
NO OCCASION FOR WORRY
Has Spent Three Weeks at sanitarlum
Unknown to Publlc-Received
One Visit from the
President.

i
New York, Aug 24.-Secretary OF
State Elihu Root, who has already
spent three weeks at the farm-sani-
tarium of William C. Muldoon, ex-
champion wrestler, near White Plains,
taking Mr.. Muldoon's course of ath-
letic treatment for severe attack of
nervous exhaustion, expects to com
plete his cure In two weeks more. He
is now well on the road to complete
recovery and all reason for appre-
hension about his health seems to
have disappeared.
On the quiet farm among the West
Chester hills, so secluded that the sec
rotary of state was enabled to pass
three weeks there and be visited by
the president of the United States be-
| fore his whereabouts were discovered
by the public, Mr.. Root has fleshed up,
put on healthy coat of tan, lost the
drawn, worried look of the early sum
mer, and will go back to Washington,
as Mr.. Muldoon phrases It, the strong
est member of the cabinet, not even
barring Taft"
Now Full Of Energy.
During the first two weeks Of his
stay he gained pound day, acquir-
ing Herewith such a, stock of energy
that he was able Friday to ride 1S
miles, walk three miles and in addi-
ton to the usual course of exercise
with the big medicine ball, box Is
vigorous minutes with Muldoon.
When visited Friday on the veranda
Of the Muldoon residence, his face
showed good color, his eyes were clear
and his hand steady. He locked a
trifle tired but otherwise well. Mr..
Root asked to be excused from talk
ing about his health, but his appear
ance was a sufficient contradiction of
the exaggerated reports of a complete
breakdown. His physician visited
him but left without making any ar
rangements for his return.
Had Nervous Exhaustion.
According TO Mr.. Muldoon, Secretary
Root, when he arrived, was suffering
from nervous exhaustion, the result of
overwork and strain.
HE was very nervous" said the ex-
athlete, more so than l ordinarily
care to see patients. His brain was
tired; he was anxious and worried
about things which never happened
and never could happen. He was very
weak then, but when he goes back
he'll be the strongest member of the
cabinet. He is taking course of ex-
ercise suited to his age and strength
and goes at his work with the energy
you would expect from a man who
has come to the front as he has. He
knows something about boxing, too;
seems to have learned 1t as boy and
never forgotten"
During his stay at White. Plains,
Mr.. Root has been resting as much as
possible from mental work. 1t was
part of the agreement with Muldoon
that no one should be allowed to see
him except his secretary, his physi
clan and Mrs. Root, and until Friday
this rule had been violated only once
in favor of President Roosevelt, who
during the first week of Mr.. Roots
stay motored over with his family to
pay a brief call. Though no special
effort had been made at secrecy, Mr..
Roots presence had been quite I'M
noticed. He had ridden almost daily
with the other patients over the roads
about White Plains, several times
passing through the town, and had
received his private secretary for the
transaction of necessary state depart
ment business. His presence at the
sanitarium became known through the
fling at the local telegraph office of
dispatches for the state department.
Presidents Call Unknown.
More surprising, however than the
good fortune of the secretary to Sc
cure rest so long undisturbed, was
the ability of the president and his
family to visit the retreat for Call
upon Mr.. Root without his absence
from Sycamore Hill or his presence
at Muldoon's being known except to a
few. Even Secretary Loeb. who keeps
| In almost constant touch with his
chief, did not learn until Friday OF the
presidents trip. In fact, when told Of
| II. he was still positive that the presi-
dent had not been at Muldoon's place.
II was not possible to get any word
direct from Sycamore Hill. but Secre-
tary Loeb declared that from his own
knowledge he was prepared to deny
unqualifedly that Mr. Roosevelt had
been away from Oyster Bay this sum
mer. with the exception OF his visit
to Proyincetown, Mass.
At the sanitarium 1t was stated,
however. that the president crossed
the sound to Glen island, and after
leaving the launch. made his way to
the secretary's retreat by automobile.