WILSON VISITS BOY AUTO HURT

The Washington Herald
October 6, 1913

Calls at Hospital and Feels Robert Crawford's Pulse and Head.

LAD SHOWS PLEASURE

Particularly Happy Over President's Promise to Give Him Bicycle to Replace Broken One.

"Laying on of hands" may fail to cure nine times out of ten these days, but, in the opinion of Robert Crawford, the messenger boy run down and injured by President Wilson's automobile Saturday, the soothing touch of the Chief Executive's hands and his cheering talk worked miraculously yesterday when the President visited the little patient at Providence Hospital.

President Wilson motored to the hospital to express his sympathy to the sixteen-year-old victim of Saturday's accident shortly after noon. He was ushered into the hospital by the Mother Superior of the institution and went straight to the room where young Crawford is suffering a wrenched andkle and minor injuries.

Dsure you're feeling all right now?" the President asked of the injured boy.

"Yes, sir, but I didn't know 'twas you I ran into," said the patient bashfully.

"Would you have run into me if you had?" said the President with a smile, and the boy answered no.

Looks at Boy's Ankle.

President Wilson personally investigated the boy's injuries, felt the child's swollen ankle, then his pulse, and then his forehead.

"He hasn't any fever," the President said, as he pressed his hand against the little patient's head.

"No, sir," answered the boy, exhibiting delight at the attention paid him by the President.

Young Crawford was assured that the President would see that he had another bicycle in place of the one that was demolished by the White House car. After giving the patient this assurance and telling him that he hoped he would be completely well soon, President Wilson left the sickroom and returned to the White House in his automobile.

Gee! Just think of it, Sister!" said the injured boy as the President left the room. "I'm going to have a wheel given me by the President of the United States. I'd take a broken ankle, or three broken ankles, for that."

Young Crawford later requested one of the sisters to give him a paint brush, so he could "paint the place on the hospital floor where the President stood while he was feeling his head.