The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-06-06
THE HERO OF SANTIAGO
PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS OF
BRAVE LIEUTENANT HOBsON.
Louis III. Gibson, who Knew Hir as a
Student at Paris, Talks Enter
tainingly of Him.

Lieutenant Hobson, the hero of Santiago,
of this city while the two were students in
the Latin Quarter at Paris, and Mr. Gibson
talked interestingly to a Journal reporter
yesterday of the personal characteristics of
the young man who has made himself so
famous.
But for the sinking of the Merrimac in
the harbor of Santiago" said he, the name
and memory of Richmond Hobson would
have gone glimmering along with the pleas
ant memories of many other student ac-
quaintances. 1 knew him during his first
year in Paris. He, with two others, was
there under the patronage of the United
States government preparing for admission
to the School Of Maritime Science. This in
volved thorough practical study of the
French language, and. of course, work in
the School of Mines. He lived in the Latin
Quarter with his two friends, the wife of
one of whom was housekeoper for the party.
Among this body of students in Paris who,
specialists, were not inclined to interest
themselves in affairs outside of themselves
he was known particularly as an Individual
list and retcent man. excepting when
talking about the work Immediately before
him. On one casion l remember he went
into studio, in which number of archi-
tectS were at work and offended some of
the younger men because he would not so
much as look at some rather elaborate draw
ings which they were making and of which
they were very proud | remember that
most of his time An the studio was given to
discussion OF mathema teal subjects with
one of the older men, He was always glad
enough to talk about the School of Mines
and his constructive ideas, but would sink
back like dead man in the midst of a lit
erary or artistic discussion. | saw him
toy in Gfnfpl
France, Quimperle. There / noticed that
he. showed a wider interest in matters out
saying that he had just passed his examina-
ton into the Maritime School and was going
to have hays, rest for a few days before going
famous maritime port in France. There was
stopping at the hotel one Of the great Amer
lean artists-Walter Gays. | asked Hobson
said; those fellows don't care much for me-
and | don't care much for them And he
relapsed into condition bordering on his
former reticence. l knew | could enliven
him by addressing him OF his mechanical
side and said: There is piece of American
machinery in this town, made by Brown &
like to see it,? Certainly he answered
Where is it and what is it?' | did not tell
ishment on the top of a hill-which was a
kind of combination barbershOp and livery
stable-where pulled from a drawer a pair
of Brown & Sharpe horse clippers. He
laughed and said That's American. all
right Glad to see it, One of the attend
ants in the stable had an off day at that
time and was playing barber and Hobson
employed him. We were together in this
town for a couple of days. He went to Brest
and we returned to Paris. did not see him
again until the next fall, when he was
working hard and was concentrated and
as seticent as ever. These memories do not
count for much, excepting in associa ton
with one man who has so lately distin-
guished himself. l think. however. any one
who knew him can believe that he would
q work ha &c
he did without the embarrassment OF fear
His dominant quality, as exhibited even in
Il large community of special students. was
fairs"