At the end of 1913, the chronically ill Post's health deteriorated to the point that he canceled public appearances. In early March 1914, Post was believed to be suffering from appendicitis and was rushed via a nonstop train from California to Rochester, Minnesota, to be operated on by Drs. William and Charles Mayo, regarded as the preeminent surgeons of the day. Mayo brothers operated (successfully) sometime between March 5 and 10, 1914, according to the book American Empress: The Life and Times of Marjorie Merriweather Post. The breakfast cereal magnate returned home to Santa Barbara. Even with surgical remedy, he was still plagued by stomach pain.