Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1898-07-30
He Is Given a Warm Reception by
Both the Citizens and
Officials.
DID NOT BRING SIMPSONS REPORT
His Mission Wholly Related to the
Saving of One or More Of
the Spanish Ships.
He CALLS ON THE PRESIDENT
Hobson Says Two Of the Vessels
viii he Saved and n Third
May Bc---Anxious TO
Save the Colon.

May Bc---Anxious TO
Save the Colon.
Washington, July 25.-The last and
most agreeable event Of yesterday was
the arrival at the navy department of
Lieutenant Hobson, the hero Of the
Merrimac. The officials were not in
formed Of his approaching visit except
through the newspapers. Consequent
ly when he reached the railway sta
ton here at 1888 o'clock in the after
noon there was no official here to meet
him and his reception was truly demo
cratic. He succeeded in escaping OBJ
servation as he passed through the
train shed, coat and umbrella in hand,
followed by n porter proudly carrying
his bag, but before he emerged from
the station someone spied him, and a
hurrah went up. In a moment the sta
ton resounded with vOciferous shout
ing, the cry Of "llobson, llobs1n,
rang out and the crowd closed about
him, shaking his hand and pushing
him about until he was cscucd by the
police and escorted to his carriage. lie
stopped long enough 10 Chat
all Of the men who formed the crew
OF the Mcrrimac were safe and IN the
best of health and that after he had
made his report to the navy depart
ment he expected to return immedi-
ately to New York. The carriage was
driven at once TO the Army II Navy
club, and after brushing himself up
he drove over to the navy department..
This time he carried with him under
his arm a large official envelope which
bore on the corner the inscription,
North Atlantic Squadron" As he APP
preached the Office of the secretary OF
the navy there ensued another dem
onstration. A large crowd had gath
cred about the doorway and the hearty
welcome given the young officer
brought bushes TO his checks.
Secretary Long came out OF his PR
vatc Office and, grasping HobSon with
both hands, said with sincerity;
"Licutenant, | am glad, very glad
to see YOU" Then he drew him into
his Office. where the lieutenant was
introduced to Assistant Secretary
Alien and was greeted by captain
Crowninshield, Captain bradford n
Pension Commissioner Evans, VINO
harccrcd to drop in. He spent han
an hour i'm conference with the secre'
t2rv and then returned to the club 10
rest.
Calls ON the President.
At $3.50 o'clock Lieutenant Hobson
went to the white house to pay ms re-
spects to the president. Secretary
Long accompanied him, the two walk
ing over from the navy department.
The president received them in the
cabinet room. He gave L~ieutenant
Uobson a most cordial welcome and
naid him a high tribute for what he
regarded MS one Of the most consplcu,
Gus acts of gallantry in the history OF
naval warfare. d,
The lieutenant modestly acknowl'
edged the compliments OF the presl'
dent and quietly turned the conversa'
ton to the object OF his mission TO tht
United States at this time-the ehor'
that is being made to save to the navy
of this country some OF the VcsseIS o
Admiral C~ervcra~s squadron.
The subject was discussed at some
lenp.th. Lieutenant Hobson freely eN
pressing his views upon the subject
After comforting with the president fol
half an hour the secretary and lieu
tenant left the white house, the former
going 10 his home and the latter to th'
Army and Navy club. While at the
white house Hobson gave his auto
praph to half a dozen or more solicit
- - Ia ~ Tlnn INN M
could not imagine why they dcSlren u
Lieutenant Hobson did not brlh}
with him the report OF Adtnlrai SaInP
son. but he was the bearer OF a Nerba
message from the admiral TO Secretary
Long that the report on the battle Wa'
i'm curse of preparation and would b'
forwarded in a few days.
May Save Three shipe.
Concerning the efforts which are be
ing made TO save some of the Spanlsl
ships Lieutenant Hobson informed Sec
rotary Long that two of the vessels, IN
Reina Mercedes and the Infanta Mari;
Teresa, would be raised certainly AM
he expressed the utmost contidenc
that the Cristobal Colon could be save
also. With respect to the Colon he dill
1GHS from TIC "lttNlhS NNB'i" 49,
were sent from the United States Z
float the vessels if possible. They ar
of opinion that the Colon cannot b
saved. They think she is so badly dam
aged both by shots from the fleet an
by having been run upon the shor
that efforts TO save her would be tim
and money wasted. Lieutenant Hob
son is confident, however, that If tn
proper appliances are employed tina
the ship can be hoated and restore
completely. He is particularly anXiou
that every possible effort be made wit
the Colon, as he regards the ship as tn
finest of her class that was ever cor
structcd.
He is enthusiastic in his efforts I
save the ships and, declining to renal
in Washington for even a day, las
night hurried back to New York
take up the subject of his mission wit
the wrecking company.
Secretary Long said last night tina
If the Colon could be saved she woul
be. He was much impressed with tn
statements made by Lieutenant Hol
son and agrees with him that every e.
fort should be made.