Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1898-07-23

uS last dlu uOSI dSiCCdOlO
event of the day was the arrival
at the Navy Department of Lieut..
HobsOn, the hero of the Merrimac.
The officials were not informed of
his approaching visit, except
through the newspapers. Conse-
quently when he reached the
railway station here at 2:3S
O'Clock this afternoon there was
no official there to meet him and
his reception was truly demg--
cratic. He succeeded in escaping
observation as he passed through
the train shed, coat and umbrella
in hand and followed by porter
proudly carrying his bag, but be-
fore he emerged from the station
some one spied him, and in a
moment the station resOunded
with vociferous shouting. The
cry of "Hobson, Hobson," rang
out, and the crowd closed about
him, shaking his hand and push
ing him about until he was res
cued by the police and escorted to
his carriage. He stopped long
enough to announce that all the
men who formed the crew Of the
Merrimac were safe and in the best
Of ~
made his report to the Navy De-
partment he expected to return
to New York.
The officer was driven at once
to the Army and Navy Club, and
after brushing up he drove over to
the navy department. This time
he carried with him under his
arm large official envelope which
bore in the corner the inscrip-
ton: North Atlantic Squadron.
AS he approached the office of the
Secretary Of the Navy there en-
sued another demonstration. A
the doorway and the hearty well
come 1t gave the young officer
brought bushes to his cheeks. Sec
rotary Long came out of his pri-
vate Office and grasping Hobson
with both hands, said with SINGER
ity: Lieutenant, 1 am glad-very
glad to see you" Then he drew
him into his office, where the lieu
tenant was introduced to Assist
ant Secretary Allen and was greet
ed by Captain Crowninshield, Cap
tain Bradford and Pension Com
missioner Evans, who happened to
drop in. He spent half an hour
in conference with the Secretary
and then returned to the club to
rest. Secretary Long stated that
Hobson did not bring the long-ex-
pected report from Admiral Samp-
son and his brother officers, on the
destruction of Cervera's fleet.
The exact purpose of his visit
was explained by the following or
der under which Lieut.. Hobson
came to the United States:
United States Flagship New
York, First Rate, OF Santiago de
Cuba, July II, 1898.
Sir: You will proceed north in
the st. Paul to New York, thence
you will proceed to Washington,
and report to the Secretary of the
Navy and acquaint him with the
object of your visit, as set forth
in my letter to him of this date.
regarding the work upon the Girls
tobal Colon. Explain to him fully
the position and condition of that
ship and receive his instructions
regarding it.
Second, be as expeditions as
possible in bringing the matter to
a termination, in order that if it
10 pIdctICdDle 10 40 so, this tine
ship may be saved to the United
State snavy.
Third, when this duty is COM
pleted you will ask for orders
from the Secretary of the Navy.
Otherwise you will return to duty
on board this ship.
Very respectfully.
wv. T. SAMPSON.
Rear Admiral L. S. n,
Commander in Chief United
States Naval Force North At
lantic Squadron.
ITO Assistant Naval Constructor
R. P. Hobson, U. S. Navy, U.
S. S. New York"
SEVERE STORM.