Norwich bulletin., 1913-09-30
Stricken as He
 Ended Speech
TIMOTHY WOODRUFF SUFFERS
 NERVOUS BREAKDOWN
CONDITION IS SERIOUS
Complained of Pain in Knee While Speaking But Continued Address, CoIIapsing as He Concluded It.

New York, Sept. 29.-Timothy L. Woodruff, former lieutenant governor of New York, was stricken tonight in Carnegie hall just as he concluded an address at the fusion notification meet ing. Physicians who attended MT. Woodruff at first thought that he had suffered a stroke of paralysis and said his condition was serious. As he was speaking MT. Woodruff turned to John Purroy Mitchell, the fusion candidate for mayor, and com plained of a pain in his knee He continued his address, however but as he concluded it he reeled and would have fallen to the floor of the stage had not MT. Mitchell and others on the platform supported him.
 A Political Figure for 30 Years. MT. Woodruff was carried to an ante-room where he was attended by two physicians. Later he was taken in his automobile to his apartments in an uptown hotel, accompanied by Mrs. Woodruff, who had attended the meeting with him.
 Timothy Lester Woodruff, who is 5 years old has been 3 political figure in New York state for nearly thirty years.
 Was a Republican Leader.
 Up to a year ago. when he left the republican party and joined the "~'-"s gresSiVes there were few state and city republican conventions which he did not attend as a delegate. In 1888 he was a delegate to the republican national convention and at the 1908 convention he nominated James SchooIcraft sherman for vice presf- dent. From 1897 to 1903 MT. Wood ruff was lieutenant governor of New York
 For years MT Woodruff was chair man of the republican state committee, I0,x -F +- I5x,f, county, embracing Brooklyn, and dominant advisor in his party's pOIi- tics of the state. Leaders were ac- customed to meet for conferences at Ramp Kill Kare. his Adirondacks es- tate which was purchased recently by Alfred c. Vanderbilt.
 Became Progressive Leader
 When Theodore Roosevelt organized the progressive party Mir. Woodruff left the republicans and aligned him self with the colonel. subsequently, as suming the progressive leadership in Brooklyn
 Soon after MT. Woodruff was taken to his apartment, Dr. Norman E. Ditt- man and two nurses arrived and>t took charge of the patient
 MT Woodruff in his speech had bit terly attacked Tammany hall and praised Theodore Roosevelt and Gov ernor Sulzer.
 Last NoFCS En 1aSpS.
 During his peroration he was ire quently applauded. He had just con cluded a reference to William A. Prem dergast, the candidate for the office of comptroller, when his legs sagged and he seemed about to fall. The last few words he uttered came in gasps and scarcely could be heard.
 Immediately the large audience in Cooper Union which a moment be- fore was shouting enthusiastically, be- came silent. MT. Woodruff was car ried to a chair and later was removed to an ante-room off the stage, to which two physicians in the audience hur-
 Condition Was Serious.
 Both physicians said Mr. Woodruff had suffered a severe paralytic stroke on the left side. They did not inform the sufferer.
 Mrs. Woodruff, who had stood be- hind her husband, was informed by the physicians that her husbands condi- tiOn was serious and would become more so unless he secured immediate attention. MT. Woodruff was then placed in chair and carried to his automobile and removed to his apart ments.
 Son Denies Shock.
 Shortly before midnight John E.- Woodruff, a son, who had been sum mOned from Greenwich, Conn, arrived at the hotel After seeing his father he made the following statement:
 Tt is not true that my father is suffering from a paralytic stroke. h. stead he is suffering from a complete nervous breakdown. Earlier in the evening, I have been informed, he com plained of being ill but refused to cancel his engagement to speak at the fusion meeting. I have been informed by Dr. Dittman that there is abso- Iutely no danger. Father is resting now quietly and is asking for food
 A short time afterward Dr Ditt- mann confirmed Mir. Woodruffs sons statement. He added that the pa tient's nervous system had been over- ] taxed and that with rest and quiet his recovery was expected.