The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-09-22
10000 MILES TO DEWEY
HOW HEMMENT CAUGHT THE OLYM-
PA AT NAPLES FOR PHOTOGRAPHS.
Warm Reception by the Admiral and
Pictures Taken of Everything
from the Cat to the Hero.


I left New York on the Majestic July &c.
went to London, Paris, Rome, Genoa and
Naples, and Travelled nearly twelve thou
man whom all the world admires and every
American adores. i fulfilled my task in less
than five weeks, and stayed on board the
Olympia for one week. ! arrived at Naples
on a beautiful Sunday afternoon about 3
o'clock, and at 5 o'clock 1 was on my way
across the bay to meet the man Of the
hour. Before L left New York 1 was told
that my trip. was a hopeless one, If /
thought Of getting photographs of Admiral
Dewey. When 1 arrived in London / had
this same thing sung to me by the CORE
spondents who had met the copper-colored
hero of Manila, but that did not deter me
in the least. 1 took the first and fastest
train that would bring me within speak
ing distance of the splendid man whom L
was commissioned to catch with my camera
for the American people.
When l reached the end Of my long rail-
way journey at Naples 1 was very glad,
for 1t was the most disagreeable trip I had
ever undertaken, the midsummer heat and
the dirt making it anything but pleasant.
On my way out across the bay to the Olym-
pId Xix lO6SAk W Ao
flashed across my memory, and for a time
1 felt uneasy forebodings. One moment the
man who was hauling me out to the cruiser
was going too fast-for / did not want to
hear the officer of the deck bring the ad-
miral's answer that he could not see me.
The next moment my courage quickened
n I wanted to take the oars myself and
pull with all my might, without q moments
loss of time.
At last / was alongside the stately flag
ship, and anXiOusly awaiting my fate, L
officer of the deck. 1 was promptly told
that il was past visiting hours for the adj
miral, and that / must come again the next
and personal aid to the admiral just then
put in an appearance, and invited me on
board. When 1 told him my mission. and
the long distance i had come, the officer
smiled and went to make my case known to
the admiral. The latter at once most .gra-
eioously invited me to the quar riss deck;
In an armchair. AS / approached him ne
rose from his seat and came with out
stretched hand to greet me- and WITHOUT out
side hin This most cordial greeting was
a happy surprise for me. After a chat OF
half an hour on different sub1ects-ano L
assure you / was not by any means the
leader in the conversations told the ad-
miral of my special mission. He said that
he should be most pleased to assist me IN
accomplishing my errand, and that IL L
would come. aboard on the following morn
ing, after quarters, he would see That L
got all the pictures 1 wanted.
THE RIGHT SORT OF MAN.
When I left the admiral to go ashore that
evening / felt profoundly impressed by his
modesty and simplicity. A little incident
that was told me reveals the nature Of the
great man: One afternoon as an English
transport was leaving the bay OF Naples 1t
passed close by the Olympia. The admiral
was told of its presence. came out on the
and as the Englishman dipped
her colors he took off his cap and waved
her a goodbye. much to the delight of all
board the transport. One morning as ]
was coming alongside the Olympia 1 was
The admiral was on the quarter
deck and saw me. He at once said, "Oh,
don't pull around there. Come up my gang
way. It's more handy" This is Admiral
Dewey. Do you wonder why his men are so
magnifcently loyal? He is never too much
engaged to greet an acquaintance. and al
the language of Henry vigneaud. OF the
Paris embassy. He has the heart OF a
lion, the eye of a hawk and the hand and
manner Of a grande dame"
On the Sunday evening after n. visit to
the Olympia / heard from the United States
consul at Naples. Mr.. Byington, that a
at stn the H Mas % Ro 9e f'v Where re i A Was staY 1ewey
II IN
learned that Mr.. Iddings was the gentleman
who had rendered this banquet I'm honor of
the admiral and his officers. / asked per-
mission TO make a hashlight picture of the
Mr.. Iddings said that II the ad-
miral and the other guests had no objec-
tions i could do IL. I had already obtained
the admirars sanction. and through the
kindness of the ever-smiling Mr.. Byington.
the permission of the Italian general and
the Italian admiral. who were also going.
was obtained. so that when the heavy part
of the dinner was over and the cigars were
brought on. and toasts and speechmaking
were In order. / was on the spot and I'm a
was perpetuated by the lens.
On the following morning i went up to the
Olympia with camera and plates, ready to
make any and all photographs of interest
ing objects that might come within my
Dewey came on the quarterback,
and. meeting the executive officer. Lieuten-
Commander Colvocoresses he said:
Mr.. Colvocoresses. Mr.. Hemment wants
TO make some photographs of the officers
and men on board the Olympia. and 7 wish
him TO be afforded all the facilities neces-
sary TO get some good pictures"
Mr.. Colvocoresses at once asked me where
wanted TO make the photographs and what
wanted 1 told him my wishes. and the Of
ficer OF the deck was called TO our aid and
of my mission and of the admjrars
order. and at once entered into the spIrit OF
the occasion In less time than Il takes TO
talk about II. a big tarpaulin was hau.ed
Into position on the gun deck t. make =