The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1898-07-11
HOBSON THE BRAVE HERO.
pOY WHO LOVED HIS MOTHER AND
READ HIS BIBLE.
barefoot Lad OF Rugged Simplicity
and q Wealth of Affection. No
Foppery, an Imperial Intellect
Ana n DowGea Determination.

HE was such an obedient boy.
prayed that he should De honored. and
pray now that God will return aim safely
TO me- These simple words, carry
ing such 4 wondrous story of love-
were uttered by Mrs ]. A. HotSon, the
mother OF the Alabama hefu win. T.-sAed
lffe in the service OF his country. wo-
man past 80 with hair streaked with gray
and a face beamdng with Kindness. Il
feel that my son has done his duty" was
the simple ueterance Of Judge J. 4. Hoo
son, the father OF the young hero Of the
Hspano-Americaa war. All -A,abama does
honor to her distinguished son. whose
name ia woven in the galaxy OF heroes
new battle-cry has been coined. With the
Alabama troops who are soon TO move TO
action il will be "Remssnber the Maine
Remember Hohson."
II hasn't been 40 many years since a
barefoot boy played among the chestnut
trees about an old colonial mansion in this
quaint ante-belium village OF Greensboro.
The same men who today do honor 70
the name of Richmond Pearson Hooson re-
member that same barefoot lad of rug
ged simplicity and holding as chief char
aetersstic a wealth of love for a dear old
mother. They knew Rich" always doing
a turn for his seniors a boy With a splen-
did mind. with dogged determination.
Now they recognize Richmond Pearson
Hobson, the naval hero Of the world. the
hardy youngster who faced almost certain
death for nations fame and glory.
Something out OF the ordinary in that
boy" remarked a veteran Of two wars.
TO my knowledge he never loved a girl
Nothing foppish about him He was a.
ways doing something" Nothing of a
love affair is known in his career. No
dandyism entered into his makeup. He
was too busy TO he won by the languid
smiles Of any Southern belle To the con-
trary. he was never too busy TO be polite
and courteous. His mother. whose once
jet black hair Is now tinged with gray, was
hsS sweeeheart-his all.
Today crowds swarm the stately home of
the Hobsons. Men and women tender
CALCULATIONS. but the most touching in
cadent perhaps witnessed was when the old
family servant, Uncle Ben" handed Mrs.
Hooson the simple yet sincere conGratua-
tory telegram OF President Mckinley.
tear crept from among the heavy lashes
that shade the beautiful blue eyes which
have lost none OF their fire, none Of their
!nother!y tenderness by age
When Rich first went away 10 school he
carried Bible and a prayer book. the gift
or his mother. He has them to this dav,
locked near his heart with a mothers love.
From early boyfood Rich" Hohson's be-
iier IN providence was strong His pa-
rents share this faith in an all-protectine
power. which Will bring their bow hack "a
the Old home. The hero's faith f. hest H.
i''strated IN the opening clause of his win.
which Is now held by his father. For my
near ana distant future. l leave myself
without anxiety in the hands Of Almighty
God" II reads.
Rich" Hohson's sense Of dutv bas a.
ways been striking feature of his ufe.
When ne lived with his parents here In
GREENSBORO this cropped out in his strtc.
punctuaiify and obedience to his parsn.s
on many Saturday has he gone ten miles
on hshing expedition, to trldge home a,
Isnsrai! eat biscuit and douoie-qutck TO
nc .olese TO De present at the weekly
ne~t'ng OF some literary society. He con-
sidered this his duty and Illness oniv o,,I,
keep him away. e0"'u
MS lie here in Greensboro thu .ooro
~ ms early training. was sweet To him
mere ne comes, when leave Of absence 81
lows MIN, to relate his successes ana bts
troubles A sturdy man OF Is wears now
YET ne ooyishly gets upon his knees and
clasping the motheriy hands he teuc 90
his hopes and aspirations. He Loves tha
oid mansion. The house was built In ante
oeiium days. when the planters of the
southland were nabobs and lived in nal
aces he knows every tree under whose
shade he has played in boyhood's dsvs or
very scar on the battered trunks he ca,
te'a,e story. and by the size of the
chestnuts he can tell which tree grew
them e
Gov Seay before his death, told OF an
incident OF the boys courteousness to his
seniors They were on the train together
FOR some reason IL became necessary that
the passengers should change cars. After
'he change was made and the trains had
had left his satchei The conductor was
appealed TO, but could give no aid. Rich
Hohson offered his services 10 bring the
satchel, and against Gov Seay's protest
ne Immediately set out on a dQuble-Quick
ard in few minutes returned after A
race of over a mile. with the satchel Gov
Seay had the most exalted opinion of Hob
sons character ard attachments and pre-
dicted great future for him
The school days OF Habson began with
Mrs. Kate Boardman. then Miss Mary
Avery, and finally at the Southern univer-
sity. where he distinguished himself often
in prize defamation and other marks of
honor. His manliness and high spirit
made him a general favorite i'm college
He was fond of athletic sports OF all kinds
and rs in his studies. he aimed to excel
in them all, With all his requirements he
is as modest as a girl, and, although the
marks OF distinction he has received dur
ing his short period OF life have been such
as would turn an older head no one would
dream from his conduct and bearing he
considered himself any but an ordinary
boy.
To Annapolis, where he went. leaving
the sophomore class In the Southern uni
versity. he carried his prayerbook and
Bible. and = mothers God bless You" He
carried in his character a noticeable ren-
gious trait. and a. Annapolis he was dub
bed "Parson." He continued 70 read his
Bible and repeat prayer before retiring.
Notwithstanding the jeers OF his mates
AT unfortunate accident occurred to Hob
son. and after recovering from what
would have killed an ordinary person he
was called 'Parson Tough" Soon after
wards he was appointed monitor at tho
academy. II had been the custom not IN
report classmates for an infringement of
the rules. Hohson's stern sense Of Justice
forbade his making any distinction. and