Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-08-05
SPELLBOUND BY HOBSON
Merrimac Hero Modestly Tells New Workers
Of His Exploits.
Memorable Scene In the metropolitan
Opera Housewife and Patriotic
Outbursts of Enthusiasm.

Lieutenant Richmond P. Hobson, United
States navy, who immortalized himself by
sinking the Merrimac at the mouth of the
harbor of Santiago, was the magnet that
drew thousands to the Metropolitan Opera
House, New York city, last night. General
Stewart l.. Woodford minister to Spain,
although just now without occupation in
that capacity, was also present and made
a speech and so were William McAdoo, ex-
assistant secretary of the navy, and Mrs.
j. Ellen Foster, but it was Hobson the
thousands went to see and hear. Lieuten->
ant Hobson was induced to preside at the
meeting by the New York Soldiers and
Sailors Families Protective Association.
which has made It Its business to look
after the families fthat have been left in
destitute circumstances by the absence of
the bread winners at the front, and which
will devote to that end the profits of last
nights memorable meeting.
Altogether, il was a, night of patriotic
exultaticn. Lieutenant, Hobson could have
owned the city; General Woodford could
have assisted him in the ownership; Dewey
and Sampson and Schley and Captain
Jack Philip, who was unable to attend
the meeting, were, frantically cheered by
every man jack present: 1t was houseful
of worshippers that9wgs assembled in the
huge auditorium, and the army and the
navy were the idols.ars a=,-.t-.. n5r -a5
/ 81 His Mother and Sister. ~ ,noj
One of the boxes, had American flags
draped over it's rail, and was reserved for
Mrs Hobson and Miss Hobson, mother and
sister, respectively, of lieutenant Hobson.
Others who occupied boxes were Henry
Clarke Zoe, the war relief committee of the
National Society of New England Women.
Mrs Charles L. Wetherbee, Henry Mar
quand r. T. Wilson, ST., W. j. Gurus ana
General Wager Swayne. Brgadier General
George l.. Gillespie, United States army,
commanding the department of the east,
and several members of his staff were
present.
Two huge American flags were Topped
over the proscenium ARCH but otherwise
the auditorium was destitute of special
decoration. While the crowd was waiting
for the arrival of Lieutenant Hobson, Prof.
Fanciullis list Regiment Band played
descriptive fantasia called "A Day With
Roosevelt's Rough Riders" General Wood
ford came upon the platform a few min
utes before the lieutenant, and was I'M
uediately recognized, and cheered until he
was forced to rise and acknowledge the
enthusiastic greeting
Lieutenant Hobson. with Major Byrne
and Mr.. McAdoo, reached the opera house
about $50 O'Clock. They drove in an open
carriage to the 10th street entrance OF the
building. The crowd there was not large.
the reason probably being that few knew
at which of the three sides of the opera
house the lieutenant would enter, put II
made up in enthusiasm what 1t lacked IN
numbers, and the Merrimac hero was
heartily cheered as he alighted from the
carriage.
Hobson's Entrance.
When the band struck up THE star Span
gled Banner every eye was turned toward
the entrance at the stage right, where signs
of the he1os approach could be seen. AL
ready Mrs and Miss Hobson had slipped
inf ba reserved for them.
the crowd seeming to be in ignorance as
to who they were.
When Lieutenant Hobson appeared, es-
corted by Major John Bryne all the en-
thusasIn that had been pent up awaiting
his arrival was let loose in one .cyclonic
burst. The lieutenant at length acknoWl-
edged the tremendous greeting by grave
bow.
of Lieutenant Hobson as a speaker they
were all dispelled little later The lieu
tenant has a fine deep, resonant voice In
speed he is stenographers pride Very
rarely did he exceed a rate of thirty words
minute. Each phrase came slowly and
distinctly from his lips, but every word
counted. While the New York Bank Clerks
Glee Club was singing 1.-THE Star Spangled
Banner the entire audience stood, but
every eye was upon the idol of the hour.
Major Byrne was1notl long in introducing
him. In so doing he had occasion to refer
10 Manila. This was the signal for another
outburst of frantici cheering, the whole
house leaping to it's feet and cheering Wild
ly for Dewey and againrfor Captain Philip.
Wild Enthusiasm.
Major Byrne clossd By remarking that he
now resigned the deck ito Lieutenant Hob
son, and IS the hero ofithe Merrimac STEP
ped to the front of the stage the scene OF
unrestrained enthusiasm that marked his
entrance was repeated Flags, fans and
handkerchiefs waved Din unison to the
strains of "Dixie, nc which was played by
the band Il +
Finally, when tlse people sunk back in
their seats Lieutenant Hobson, speaking in
clear and resonant voice, said:
Ladies and Gentlemen: The deck has
been turned over to me, but take objec-
ton to likening this situation to the deck
OF man-o'-war. Qaughter.) As you all
know, the sailor abhors words. II you fol-
lowed his routine from the time he turns
out in the morning until taps at night you
would hear but very few words. He has
the simple pipe of the whistle for most of
his orders or the blast of the bugle. Even
for those commands and communications
which control all the forces that make up
a vessel for directing the engines, for con-
trolling the battery he will have simple
signals, and now that the deck is turned
over to me- and am called upon to use
words-wor in abundanceI am on an
however, that knew that i should be
upon the unknown sea when consented to
appear here tonight, but sailors before
nave gone into unknown seas when causes
adequate have called them Cloud cheers),
and II any cause could appeal to me more
than all other causes 1t Is that which
works to the interest Of the sailor and SOL