The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1912-10-16
ANYWAY, THE COLONEL WANTS
TO DIE WITH HIS BOOTS ON

CHICAGO. oct Is.--"Anyway, If
[ had to die, wanted TO die with
nv boots on
Lying on a hospital bed. which was
completely alled by his great oulk,
Theodore Roosevelt made this answer
10 a question by Dr.. Terrell.
He had Just talked with the news
paper men who were with his partj
On route Terrell, coming in at the
conclusion OF the conversation, eX-
pressed the fear that the ex-presl-
dent was exertipg himself beyond his
strength.
You do too much said Terrell
The most uncomfortable hours ever
spent in my NE was while / sat on
that platform in Milwaukee wonder
ing where that bullet was, and in how
iulneut danger you were. How
douid you be 80 !ncautious as 20
make a speech them II was all very
well for you to say the hurt was not
fatal. but how could you he sure -
The colonel grinned and raised his
arm heavily, trying not to show the
pain that came with every move
nisut.
u didn't think the wound was
dangerous. lie said Il was con-
tldent that e was not in a place
where much harm could follow.
/ and therefore, / wished 10 make
the speech Anyway, even II 1t
went against Newell, If had
t. iie,' and the colonel chdckled
: cllmlS, Il thought id rather die
+ with my boots On
The newspaper men. VINO were
I with him when cur 81 the darkness
( came the bullet that stiil menaces
/ bls lie, felt that III tn y senttnee he
ha. epitomizcd his unf A.tering cour-
age Never once since last ftSht has
H. wavered-~in courage. Physica lily
overcome he once sank back and
came as near TO faIntine us so
strong Il man can All the Test Of
! the time he has been as serene as a
/ u'at unhurt.
It was in the gray Of this morn
| tnEs daylight that We caught our
! first glimpse Of him after the shoot
! ing
! Standing in the corridor of his
F private car, as It lay in the North
western station in Chicago, ~e heard
j sec the old warrior; he is coming
out"
7 The dour Oh MS stateroom creaked
/ and swung open slowly, AS 1t swung
: }saek within ~iSsorsed the figure that
! attacts attention everywhere. The
! colonel stepped out slowly, his su0ul-
dtrs thrown back. and his bearing as
sofdierl vas when he is on parade. He
tstretched out TWO fingers TO one OF
E; the party.
"Old comrade." he said shake
The newspaper boys are my friends
he added. az he proceeded toward the
door of the car. I'm glad to set
them"
You had a pretty rough time last
night. colonel" suggested somebody
a We did have mtddlins lively
time. didn't we?" said the colonel
with broad grin.
Pretty lucky Of you said another
3 man. Everybody agrees to that
Balks ut Streacher.
"Fiddlesticks," and the colonel step
ped out on the platform and dowI
the steps. He had Indignantly re
fused a stretcher, and even baike'
( at an ambulance. butt finally agreed
= that this was the best means OF con
/ yeYanCc to the hospital.
He walked past a silent crowd, [
+ crowd that wanted To cheer, but didn'
dare. but stood. without q smile. a.
r he went hy. To them all he waved
a "A hand. Just as he was leaving tn,
= steps. nashlight fared forth. tn
8 sharp report Of powder startling
= every pouS-
! An. shot again, said tie coione
without "a treinor'
t'ef0re cumming In the hmouIhhc
~ ne turned to the newspaper men, Wh
had come out to see MIN OH
u want to see you newspaper me-
? 1T the hospital at o'clock, wan
x | All the old guard there. iheA II
i | started M the steps oil Inc -AhLnlho
= bile conveyance with hfm step an
Z tried Ia seat hlmself lirmIy on IN
q cushions. But he mad counted o,
more strength than ne possessed WIZ
! a smothered exclamation ne sank hac
e among them, his mead dropping an
- his figure one OF patheuc helpless
o ness.
Az the colonel was being hufrle'
r through the streets. which were JUS
- beginning - show the activity of =
f Chicago day, no one stopped to watcl
70 the passing ambulance. Few GUESSED
!. whom 1T h-ld as "A passenger. Tw
= surgeons. DIR. John h. Murphy ant
- T,r Arthur -. Bevan had met tn
y wounded man at the station, and wen
with him on his early morning ride