The Washington times., 1909-03-19
NAVAL AIDE READ
REPORTED VERY ILL
Officer CruS d Under
Horse UndergoeS Deli
cate Operation.

Lieut.. Semmes Read. executive officer
of the Mayfower and naval aide TO
President Taft, who was crushed under
his horse while riding yesterday after
noon in Rock Greek Park and his spine
fractured, was reported as resting as
comfortably as could be expected this
morning, but his condition is still Seri-
Gus.
At the Navy General Hospital. where
Lieutenant Read was taken soon after
the accident, it was said this morning
that the operation which had been per
formed to relieve the pressure on the
injured officers spine. while so far sue
cessful, was of such delicate char
aSter that its results would not be
tpaown for several days.
While Lieutenant Reads immediate
condition is regarded as satisfactory,
even If he survives the great shock at
tending the injury TO his spine. 1t is not
probable that he will ever regain the
use of his lower limbs.
Father Notified.
Lieutenant Reads father, William J.
Read, Of Onego, Pendleton county, w.
Va, has been notified by the Navy De-
partment Of the accident to his son, and
1t is thought that he will come at once
to this city. The injured officers
mother, who is now visiting relatives in
S1urgls1 KY, has also been notified.
John Welsh, of 5000 Z street northwest,
cousin, is Lieutenant Reads only
relative in Washington.
Beyond asking him for information
regarding the addresses of his relatives.
TO attempt was made to get a detailed
account OF the accident from Lieuten-
ant Read. Surgeon Curl, who per-
formed the operation, remained at the
side OF the injured aide for several
hours, watching the alternating symp-
toms.
At IL o'clock this morning he did not
think it advisable to question Lieuten-
ant Read as TO just what caused his
horse to fall. 1t was assumed that the
animal had missed his footing on al
uneven piece OF ground, and before
Lieutenant Read, who was regarded as
an excellent horseman, had time to eX-
tricate himself, he was carried down
with the weight of the steed on top of
him. That he was not killed outright
IS regarded as little less than a miracle
by the navy doctors.
Nature of Injuries.
At the Bureau of Medicine and Sur
gerry, Navy Department, the injury was
described as an angular fracture of the
fifth dorsaI vertebrae, which, because
of the nature of the fracture, pressed
on and fattened the spinal chord. Tire
pressure on the spinal chord caused
paralysis below the sixth Vertebrae and
partial brain paralysis. There was no
fracture of the thigh as at first report
ed.
Surgeon Curl. realizing that 70 save
the injured officers life immediate re-
lief was imperative, removed the two
spinal arches which were pressing on
the spinal chord. II was an exceeding
~ delicate operation, and took about
one hour. Lieutenant Read rallied sccn
after the operation sufficiently TO AL
swer yes" and mo- TO several ques-
tons
The injured aide is a fine specimen OF
physical manhood, and this may deter
mine the extent of his recovery Few
cases of complete recovery from an IN,
jury such as that 10 Lieutenant Read
have ever been recorded In b ma
1oTity of cases the patient fingers for a
long time, and If the functional organs
become paralyzed, death usually fol-
lieutenant Reads bearing and his
value in his capacity as the President s
naval aide have made him extremely
popular at the White House. Wher
the extent Of his injuries became known
there this morning, general regret was
expressed.
Record in Navy.
The Navy Department record OF Lieut.
Semmes Read is as follows:
h Lieut. Semmes Read. L. S N, wa:
bYrn in Maryland on November (. 1850
and entered the naval service as a nava
cadet on October 3. 1893, being appointed
from West Virginia.
He graduated from the Naval Academy
on May !. 1902, and served on the L. S
$ Olympia, June 2. 1902, 10 March is
1905. with several days service on tht
I. s. s. Marietta in April. 1903. He wa.
promoted 10 ensign on May =, 1904.
On March l6. 1906, he reported for duty
on board the L. :. S. May0ower and
is at present attached TO that vessel
He was promoted to the grades OF lieu
tenant Junior grade and lieutenan
on May 2 1907. Since October a. 1901
ne has been executive and navigating
officer OF the L. :. s Mayfiower. anS
also has had additional duty as aide "A
the White House since November ., 1907
Companions Mystifed.
Ensign Dowell. who was ridinl
about 200 yards in advance of Lieu
tenant Read. and did not see the lat
ter's horse fail, is at a loss 10 explain
The accident Afterward he exam
ined the ground carefully and his con
clusiOn Is that the horse. which wa.
particularly spirited one. slipped OF
= wet spot, and. the ground at thi
point being uneven, was unable L
keep its balance The horse plunge
forward so suddenly, Ensign DOwel
thinks, that it's rider had "a chance L
leap from its back
DR.. GraysOn. who was riding in ad
vance with Ensign DoweH. holds
similar belief as 10 the cause of tn
accident.
Under His Horse.
Lieutenant Read. accompanied by En-
sign J.. s. .DoweH. jr. and DR. Grayson
left the MayfiOwer yesterday afternoo