The San Francisco call., 1896-07-05

was five days later when Commodore Slo
to remain in California permanently. In
fact, he had written to his father and
sister to come to California, and had ten
dered his resignation to Commodore
Stockton, but had withdrawn the resigna-
ton upon the promise of shore duty and
with the understanding that if he should
be ordered to sea he would renew his
resignation.
The navy regulations on shore do not
appear to have been strictly lived up to
at that time. One regulation of the de-
partment provided that the hair should
be worn short. Midshipman Toler let
his hair grow, and out of this came an odd
enough episode.
One day Commodore Biddle sailed into
port, and soon afterward, being in COM
mand of the squadron, went ashore to look
about. He soon acquainted himself with
all there was to see. When first his eyes
lighted upon Midshipman Toler's long
hair he gave start and frowned.
"Who is that officer with long hair r' he
demanded of Captain Mattox.
The next question was, "Do you need
him very much?"
At the close of this short catechism
Commodore Biddle turned to his secretary
and said, "Mr. Clark, as soon as you go on
board ship make out an order for Midship-
man Toler to report at once for sea duty"
Mr.. Toler at once filed a second resig-
nation, which was promptly pigeonholed
by Commodore BiddIe. He protested
very vigorously to Commodore Biddle, and
10 had oil n ,Io 81
remain in California; that he had long
contemplated leaving the navy, but had re-
mained while there was any war pro-
crossing in California. and wound up by
saying that the order to send him to sea
was shameful. How he escaped penalty
for such talk, Mr.. Toler says frankly,
he does not know. The commodore was
memorable, and in a short time Toler was
sailing for the East via Cape Horn. Com
modore Biddle added fuel to the fire by
telling the young and ardent mid shipman
that the Toler family would thank him for
sending the young man home.
So it was thai Mr.. Toler had to resign
three times to get out of the navy. The
first resignation was offered to Commo-
dore Stockton, the second to Commodore
Biddle and the third to the Secretary of
the Navy at Washington. The Secretary
was willing to accept the third resigna-
ton, but suggested that Mr.. Toler should
return to California on the frigate st.
Mary's, which was about to sail for the
Pacific Coast, and on pay. This PROPOSE
ton was accepted with thanks, but Mr.
Toler provided apparel in New York in
which to promptly appear as a civilian
upon his arrival at Yerba Buena. He
made the passage in an official capacity to
San Francisco or Yerba Buena.
The ST. Mary's had hardly dropped
anchor when Mr.. Toler went below. Very
soon thereafter the seamen, marines and
officers witnessed an apparition that
caused their eyes TO dilate with genuine
establishment. There was Toler walking
the deck with fashionable street costume
of broadcloth, wearing also on his head
the highest of all high tile hats procura :
BILE. More than this, he affected aston
ishment conspicuously, like a regular
landsman. at the aquatic scene and mari
time surroundings about him. He walked
the deck until he came near the captain
of the ship and strode ostentatiously back
and forth in his neighborhood in all the
pomp and circumstance of civilian attire.
AS NSetSeoAJ u viz &'ofJ hou udO6 lis
resignation effective Immediately upon
the arrival of the ship at Yerba Buena,
and he was now at one leap from the
ranks OF seafarers-a civilian.
The captain of the ship looked at
Toler in silence for awhile. Then the ears
of the latter were assailed by loud laughter.
There stood the captain too much amused
to remain quiet longer. Toler then left
the navy and since then he has been a resi-
dent of California.
Mr.. Toler was born in Venezuela. His
father, who was native of Virginia, was
at the time of his sons birth a merchant
in Venezuela. Mrs. Toler died, and the
family returned to the United States,
where Mr.. Toler Sr. received an ap-
pointment as Consul to Porto Rico.
which position he occupied many
years. w. p. Toler first filed the position
of clerk to Attorney General Crittenden.
He was appointed a midshipman through
the kind offices of Henry Clay, who find
ing that Virginia had its full quota of ap-
pointments to the navy filed, caused the
young man to be named as coming from
the State OF Kentucky. The appointment
was dated in 1S41, which was before the
Naval Academy at Annapolis was insti-
tuted. Mr.. Toler had one sister, who mar
ried Judge L. w. Hastings of California.
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