The pioneer press. (Miller, Hand County, S.D.) 1893-190?, 1898-07-28

son, the hero Of the Merrimac, arrived
here yesterday and reported ut the
navy department. The officials had
not been notified of his approaching
visit except through the newspapers.
Consequently when he reached the
railway station at 2:3S o'clock in the
afternoon there was no official there
TO meet him and his reception was
truly democratic. He succeeded in es-
Gaping observation as he passed
through the train shed, coat and UNI
brella in hand and followed by
porter proudly carrying his baggage,
but before he emerged from the sta
ton some one spied him, hurrah
went up, 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 pushing him
about until he was rescued by the po-
lice and escorted to his carriage. He
stopped long enough to announce that
all of the men who formed the crew
of the Merrimac were safe and in
The Best of Health
and that after he had made his re-
y
ed to return Immediately to New York.
The officer was driven at once to the
Army and Navy club, and after brush
ing himself up he drove over to the
navy department. This time he car
ried with him under his arm n large
official envelope which bore in the
corner the inscription: North Atlantic
Squadron" AS he approached the Of
ice of the secretary of the navy there
ensued another demonstration. n
large crowd had gathered about the
doorway, and the hearty welcome it
gave the v ng officer brought bushes
TO his cEC : Secretary Long came
out OF Ii waite office, and, grasping
Hobson tn both hands, said with
sincerity: cutenant, I am glad,
very glad, &c e. YOU" Then he drew
him into his Office, where the lieuten-
ant was introduced to Assistant Sec
rotary Allen and was greeted by Capt.
Crowninshield, Capt. Bradford aud
Pension Commissioner 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 IObsOn
did not bring the
ng-Expected Report
from Admiral Sampson and his broth
err officers on the destruction Of the
Cervera fleet. The exact purpose of
his visit was explained by the follow
ing order under which Lieut.. Hobson
had come to the United States:
United States Flagship New York,
OFF Santiago de Cuba, July 11.-Sir:
You will proceed north in the st. Paul
TO New York, thence you will proceed
TO Washington and report To the sec
rotary 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 Cristo-
bal Colon. Explain To him fully the
position and condition of that ship
and receive his instructions regarding
ii.
Second Be as expeditions rs pos.
sible i'm bringing the matter TO a ter
mination in order that. if it is practi-
cable 10 do so. this fine ship may be
saved 10 the United States navy.
Third When this duty is completed
You will ask for orders from the score
tary Of the navy. otherwise you will
return Ia duty on board this ship.
Very respectfully,
w. L. Sampson, Rear Admiral.
About 30 o'clock Lieut. Hobson
went To The White House TO pay his
respects Ia the president. Secretary
Long accompanied him. the two walk
ing over 10 the executive mansion
from the Eavy department. The pres
idcut received them in the cabinet
room. lie gave Lieut. HObson most
cordial greeting, and paid him high
tribute for what he regarded as one
Of the most conspicuous acts of gal
antry In the history of naval warfare.