Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1918-12-23
American Executive Makes Trip to Red Gross Hos
pita| at Neui||y:- Shakes Hands and Talks
With 1900 Wounded Yankees -Admires War
Crosses and Decorations Proudly Worn by Men
Boys are Being Well Cared For

, wounded above the waist are not
here. they have gone on " answered.
the soldier simply. one OF the men
the President came to stood proudly
erect with medals on his blouse and
one arm outstretched in an appliance
for restoring its usefulness. He
looked exactly like a traffic police
man on duty.
Pm glad 10 see YOU looking so cheer
full. said the President
You have seen me May times be-
fore" Mr. President" responded tho
soldier Il used to be a cratic police
man at the Grand Central station.
Don't you think l look natural?'
The President laughed softly. 1t prob
ably was the only merry moment he had
in the hospital. Another strapping fell
low said his name was Private Wilson
II am proud to know l have a name
sake like you said the President. 1T
is very honorable name. / only tried
10 do it proud responded the soldier.
One soldier had lost both egs by shell.
II am thankful they didn't get an
arm" he said cheerfully. The President
abstained from attendance at church in
order to make the visit. He was ac-
companed by Mrs. Wilson and Rear
Admiral Grayson and was met at the
entrance by the mandant and his
staff But he made it plain that he
wished no ceremony. Il Just want to
go in and visit the boys and have a
chat with them he said.
Beginning with the first ward, the
President went down one side of the
room and Mrs. Wilson the other. stop
ping to chat here and there with the
wounded and grasp a hand for a mo-
ment or say word of cheers and en-
couragement. The President. where IL
was possible. took the hand of every
man, saying We hope to have yoI
back soon with us, and ~ wish you the
best OF luck and a speedy recovery" So
the President went from ward to ward.
always asking each mans name and
, saying something intimately persona.
As he left each room he turned for n
moment and said: Il wish you boys as
Merry Christmas as is possible under
the circumstances,
There was ocheering IN reply, for
some of the men were in no condition
for cheering: there was no handicap
ping, for most Of the men had at least
one hand in surgical appliances. But
here were genuine smiles OF appreca
ton. Some of the wounded were intro
duced to the President by the names
the doctors and nurses had given them.
. There were Texas Red Tennessee
Sly and sunny Sam"
The President saw one lad who cama
to the hospital Is months $50 with half
his face shot away. His story was al
most too terrible to repeat. but the
President wanted to hear. 70 the doc
tors told it to him. The boy entered
the hospital with so little of his face
remaining that his eyes were all that
are now shown in the plaster cast which
begins his record. For a year he took
all his food through tube. Now BY
additions OF one of his own ribs, Dr.
of shin bone and teeth from soldier
less fortunate, and some scraps OF odds
and ends he has face again. Today he
sat up in bed and was chewing gum.
At a distance OF 20 feet his face looked
quite normal