The morning call., 1894-05-15
Secretary Herbert Kept
on the Move.
VISITS SEVERAL SHIPS.
Shakes Hands With a Man Who
Once Held Him Captive.
BIG BANQUET IN THE EVENING.
Given by the Merchants Exchange
and Attended by Officers
and Citizens.

VALLEJO, May 14.-IDe secretary OIL IH e
Navy came over from Mare Island this
afternoon for the purpose of paying
visit to Jonathan Newcombe, a resident of
Vallejo for the past thirty years. The
visit is one that the Secretary has had ID
view for some time past. and Is the result
of an episode of the late war;
The Secretary was at the time major IN
the Eighth Alabama Regiment. 1t was at
the battle of Fair Oaks. and Mr.. Newcombe
was a private in the Third Maine Regi-
ment A charge had been made. the enemy
was repulsed and Major Herbert was
among the ones captured. He was turned
over TO sergeant and Private Newcombe
to be taken to the rear and turned over to
an officer as prisoner OF war.
As the story goes. aj,r Herbert was so
exasperaled that he drew his revolver and
fired at a private, who turned and with
fixed bayonet charged on the major, and
just as the point of the weapon was about
to pierce his breast, the sergeant and
Private Newcombe parried and threw the
thrust upward, and sprang In front of the
major, at the same time demanding the
soldier to stand aside, he being pris-
oner of war.
By this act the life OF Maj)r Herbert
was spared. He was then leo to the rear
by Private Newcombe and turned over to
the charge of an officer on horseback.
Newcombe returned to the front, little
knowing al the time who his prisoner was,
much less thinking that at some future
time be would become Secretary Of the
Navy and that he would call on him at his
house here In Vallejo.
1t was only since Mr.. Herbert has been
Secretary that Mr.. Newcombe has CORE
sponded with him.
BY request diagram of the surround
ings was some time ago sent by Mr.. New
combe, with full account of the episode.
The Secretary responded by stating that
he would, when he came to California, be
glad to meet his captor in his own home
The visit this afternoon was the result of
the promise, and it is needless to say there
were mutual congratulations that the life
of each had been spared TO meet on this
occasion.
Mr.. Newcombe is calker by trade and
at the navy-yard, when oppor-
tunity offers. He has family and is a
highly respected citizen of our city. 1t is
the universal wish here that The Secretary
may find it in his power to give steady en-
ployment to him, and by the expressions
he made ne will do so. AS they grasped
each others hands tear glistened in the eye
of Secretary Herbert. They shook heartily
for Isome moments.
The Secretary said be would hardly have
recogn iZed his captor, but he was more
than glad to see him once more and asked
kindly after his general welfare and what
he was doing.
At5:3O o'clock this afternoon the Secre-
tary came over from the yard and in car
rage with Edward McGettigan and Cam
Whitthorne was driven TO the residence or
the latter gentleman, where private re-
ception was held. This meeting was OF
local Democratic politicians, clerks and
foremen from the navy-yard who wished
to become personally acquainted with the
Secretary. He received them cordially.
and stated emphatically that he intended
to live up to the civil service rules to the
best Of his ability.
From here he was driven to the Naval
Union, an Institution in which the Secre-
tary is much interested. In here he signed
the roll and expressed himself highly grati-
fed at what he saw for the comfort of tie
sailors and marines.
Leaving the union the Secretary was
driven to the residence of Mr.. Jonathan
Newcombe, where he was presented to his
family, and at z o'clock was driven to the
banquet hall, where the Board Of Trade
him.
Secretary Herbert was rendered ban
ouet in Odd Fellows Hall by the Board of
Trade of the city of Vallejo.
The hall was elaborately decorated and
in the center was suspended large and
magnificent silver chandelier with fifty
burners which shed beautiful light on
the assemblage.
The tables were set in the form of hol-
low square with one end open. The menu
was all that could be wished for. Many
beautiful floral pieces adorned the tables,
which were fairly loaded down with fruits
and refreshments of all kinds.
Shortly after o'clock the guests began
to arrive. The Secretary of the Navy
came over from the Dayy-yard on the
steam launch and was driven directly TO
the hall, where the banqueters had already
preceded them. Without formal cere-
mony the dinner was partaken of. As
soon as finished the following toasts were
offered and responded to:
"Our Honored Guest. Judge Joseph McKenna
Responded to by Secretary OF the Navy H.
A. Herbert.
"The President OF the United States'' .
'onicers Of the United States Navy" ''A
.............. ....Captain c. :. Cotton, U. s. n.
"The New Navy and the Pacific Station"
Hon. George J. Campbell Sr.
"Our State-CaIfornia". joseph McInnis
1.-The Enlisted Men OF the United States Navy''
Rev. L. f. Burnham
"The Vallejo Board of Trade" ...........
...................George j. Campbell Jr.,
"falle1o's Relative Position to Mare Island"..
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES. ....,.....Hon. s. q. HiIborn
Following are the names of guests seated
at the table: Secretary of the Navy H. A.
Herbert; Rear-Admiral John Irwin,
u. S. N; United States Circuit. Judge
Joseph MeKenna; Rev Theodore f. Burn
sam; Chief Engineer G. I. Kutz, u. S. N.
George j. Campbell Sr.: Captain Louis
kempff. U. S. N; j. Fl. Wise; Lieutenant
l.. l.. Reamey. u. S. N; George J. Camp