Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1919-01-01
pREsIDBNr VISITS WOUNDED.
Chats with Men In Hospitals Of Paris.
Many Affecting Scenes.

to-day visited the Red Cross hospital
ut Nueilly, where he shook hands
Individually and talked with twelve
Kindred badly wounded Americans,
for the most part survivors Of the
Chateau -Thierry action. He spent
more than four hours III the hospi-
ta!, visiting every ward and stop
ring at every bedside. Later he
visited the French hospital Val De
Grace.
Speaking Of his experiences at the
American hospital, the President
said:
II went through tho American hos
pital at Nueilly with the greatest
interest and the greatest satisfac-
ton. | found the men admirably
taken care of and, almost without OK
ception, in excellent spirits.
"Only few Of them looked real
" III, and I think that their mothers
and friends would have been entire
ly pleased by their surroundings and
by the alert look in their eyes and
the keen interest they took III every
thing about them.
II am sure that they will go back
to their loved ones with a new feel
ing OF JOY, alike in their recovery
and in the fine service they have
been able to render"
Going to the American hospital
with the expectation Of remaining
an hour, the President fouod four
hours all too short, as he felt that
Ee could not leave without speaking
to every man, and he expressed re-
gret only Of his inability to clasp
thc hands Of every American soldier
I'M France.
The President looked tired and
worn when the ordeal was finished.
for, notwithstanding the cheerful
ness Of the men and the care which
they were receiving there were many
affecting cases in the wards
Sits On Soldiers Cot.
When he came to one very badly
wounded the President sat on the
edge Of the cot for moment and
asked where he was from and where
he had been wounded lie admired
his war crosses and decorations.
Noticing that many Of his wounds
were In the leg, the President asked:
why have we hero no men wound
ed in the upper part OF the body?"
Men who are wounded above the
waist line arc not here; they are
gone over" answered the soldier
simply. >One Of the men the Presi-
dent came to stood proudly erect,
with medals on his blouse and one
outstrctched arm in an appliance for
restoring its usefulness. He looked
suggestivcly like traffic policeman
or duty.
Former Traffic "Cop."
m glad to see You look so cheer
ful,' said tho President.
'iou have seen mo many times
before. Mr.. President" responded
the soldier. 81 used to be a traffic
policeman at the Grand Central sta
ton. Don't you think look natur-
al?"
~ The President laughed softly. 1t
probably was the only merry moment
he had in tho hospital.
Another strapping fellow gave his
rame as Private Wilson.
Il am proud to have a namesake
like YOU" said tho President
ut is a very honorable name. |
only tried to do it proud" responded
the soldier.
One soldier had lost both
legs by shell. 81 am thankful they
didn't get an arm" he said, cheer
fully.
Miracles Of Surgery
More than $500 wounded Amcri-
cans from the battles around Cha
teau-Thierry have passed through
Nueilly hospital. The 1900 remain
ing are the most serious cases whom
miracles OF modern surgery are re-
building to resume their places in
civil life. though some will probably
never leave the hospital.
The President abstained from at
tendance at church in order to make
the visit. Ile was accompanied bv
Mrs. Wilson and Rear Admiral GRAY
son ana was met at the entrance by
the commandant and his staff. But
re made ii plain that he wished no
ceremony.
inc