The Caucasian. (Clinton, N.C.) 188?-1913, 1912-10-17

hole in your overcoat."
Colonel Roosevelt looked down,
saw the hole, then unbuttoned the big
brown army overcoat which he was
wearing and thrust his hand beneath
it. When he withdrew it his fingers
were stained with blood
Colonel Roosevelt was not dismay-
ed by his discovery.
1T looks as though I had been
hit" he said, but | don't think it is
anything serious"
DR.. Scurry Terrell, of Dallas,
Texas, Colonel Roosevelt's physician,
who had entered the automobile just
before it started off, insisted that the
Colonel return to the hotel. He paid
no attention to the suggestion, how
ever, and the car was driven On to
the auditorium.
AS soon as they reached the build
ing Colonel Roosevelt was taken into
a dressing room and his outer gar
ments removed. DR.. Terrell, with the
help of two other doctors, who were
in the auditorium and came to the
dressing room on a call from the
platform, made superficial examina-
ton. They agreed it was impossible
to hazard guess as to the extent of
, the Colonel's injuries and that he
should by all means go at once to the
! hospital.
! II will deliver this speech or die,
one or the other" was Colonel Roo
sevelt's reply.
| Despite the protests of his physi-
clans the Colonel strobe out of the
dressing room and onto the stand. A
large crowd packed into the big
building, cheered loudly as he enter
ed and without a word to indicate
what had happened, went to his seat.
! For several minutes, no man Of whom
suspected that the Colonel bore bull
: let in his body, kept up its cheering.
Then Mr.. Cochems stepped to the
| front of the platform and held up
his hand There was something in
his manner which had it's effect upon
the crowd and the cheering died sud-
denly away.
: 4 have something to tell you,"
said Mr.. Cochems, "and | hope you
will receive the news with calmness.
His voice shook as he spoke and
death-like stiffness settled over the
throng.
Colonel Roosevelt has been shot.
He is wounded
He spoke in a low tone, but such
was the stiffness that everyone heard
him. cry of astonishment and hor-
ror went up from the crowd which
slant. Mr.. Cochems turned and look
ed inquiringly at Colonel Roosevelt.
Tell us, are you hurt?"
Tell US, are you hurt?"
Men and women shouted wildly.
Some of them rose from their seats
and rushed forward to look more
closely at the Colonel.
Col. Roosevelt rose and walked to
the edge of the platform to quiet the
crowd. He raised his hand and in
stantly there was silence.
It's true" he said. Then slowly
ne uuUullOueu his coat ana pldceO
his hand on his breast Those in
the front of the crowd could catch
sight of the blood-stained garment.
I'm going to ask you to be very
quiet" said Col. Roosevelt, ''and
please excuse me from giving you a
very long speech. I'll do the best l
can, but you see there's bullet in my
body. But it's nothing I'm not
hurt badly"
The crowd gave an outburst of tu-
multuous cheering. Thoroughly re-
assured by the Coloners action that
he was in no serious danger, the peo-
pie settled back into their seats to
hear his speech.
Colonel Roosevelt began to speak
In a firm voice. somewhat lower than
his usual tone, and except that his
chief gestures were less emphatic
than usual, there was nothing to see
about the man 70 indicate his condi-
ton. After he had been speaking a.
few moments, however his voice
sank somewhat and he seemed to
stand rather unsteadily. DR.. Terrell
and Colonel Lyon stepped up to him
and the doctor ifasisted that he stop.