Father Vattman's [Vattmann] Condition Feared Critical Today

Father Edward J. Vattman, the aged army chaplain and personal friend of Theodore Roosevelt, is deemed by his physicians to be in a critical condition at the St. Francis hospital, Evanston, this morning as a result of the shock he sustained Monday morning, when he fell and broke his leg.

"I can better tell about Father Vattman's condition after today has passed," said Dr. B. M. Conley, the physician in attendance. "Father Vattman is past seventy-five years of age and consequently the shock which he sustained as the result of his injuries is most severe. I am hoping that after today the distinguished patient will have recovered sufficient vitality to overcome the effect of his injuries. I am hoping that this crisis will have passed by tonight."

Major E. J. Vattman as he is officially known, was leaving his residence at 1733 Lake avenue, on Monday morning, to catch the 9:08 train on the C. & N. W., when he slipped on the icy pavement and fractured his leg in two places. He was immediately removed to the hospital by Dr. Conley.

Father Vattman spent twenty-five years in the service of the United States army, but retired twelve years ago. During that period of [damaged] however, he made many friends among whom he numbers some of the most distinguished men in the country today. His niece, Miss Theresa Stenan, is constantly at this bedside at the hospital.