The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1900-03-26
KELLY AND THE ADMIRAL.
DEWEY NET AN OLD ACQUAINT-
ANCE IN SAVANNAH.

by Beating an English Sailor in
Ship Race-He Also Gained Motto
riety by Pumme1ing Capt. CoghIan,
Then an Ensign, and Dewey Re-
called the Incident to CoghIan at
Manila Bay-Kelly Now Wishes He
Had Stuck to the Navy.
Admiral Dewey met one cd friend in
Savannah, whom probably he had never
expected to see again. and what is more
the Admiral gave him a very warm greet
ing. This old acquaintance is John Kelly,
formerly driver of the police ambulance.
but now in the hack business, and one OF
Savannah's best known characters.
Kelly was with Admiral Dewey in the
old ship Colorado on the Chinese station
over thirty years ago, Dewey was not an
admiral then, but he was first lieutenant
and executive officer aboard the Colorado
which practically gave him the command
of the ship. Kelly was simply an abe
seaman, but nevertheless he and the fu-
ture Admiral grew 20 be quite good
| friends. 1t will doubtless seem strange to
/ some that the executive officer of a man
of-war and a simple sailor should have
come to know each other so well, but there
| were incidents which led up to this ac-
quaintance which the Admiral was pleased
! TO recall. -.t.u l..Js
/ Kelly was rather modest and not al
all boastful Of his intimacy with the
| Admiral. The event which led to the feel
| ing of friendship between them was a
! race between the man-o'-wars men of
! the vessels of several nations at the Brit
| ISL naval station Malta Epp1 81
| sailor, who had quite a reputation as a
marine racer issued a challenge to the
men of all the ships at the station for a
race for prize offered by the officers
1t was rot 10 be a foot-race on shore, but
| a genuine sailors race through the rig
ging and over the masts of the warships.~
which meant that the contestants must
| be skilled climbers as we'll as runners
None of the American sailors seemed
disposed to take up the challenge until
Kelly went to Lieut.. Dewey and offered
himself as the American contestant.
Can you run?' inquired Dewey, some
what doubtfully. Well I think 1 cam
replied Kelly. I'm give you trial then"
replied the executive officer. That night
a trial race Of the Colorado's crew was
held, and Kelly easily led.
The terms of the race were that the
first trial should be aboard the challeng-
ers vessel, and the second aboard the
vessel of his compe itor If each man won
| on his own ship there was to be a third
trial on a neutral ship There was but
one race Kelly beat the Englishman on
| his own ship.
When 1 reached the deck" said Kelly,
"the Englishman was still on the topgal-
| liant mast. He fell from there into the
! sea, but was not hurt"
The officers of the American vessels, of
which there were four in port, and Dewey
particularly had taken great interest in
hn TT11Tv~
! hour. The moment he got over the side
| of the Colorado on his return, he was
created a petty officer, and was later CIV
| en- further promotion.
Kelly had another experience at Malta,
| which was recalled by Admiral Dewey.
ms was no less than the pummeling of
an officer of the ship, Capt. Coghlan then
an ensign, but now celebrated as the COM
! mander of the Raleigh az the battle of
| Manila bay. Many of the men and off,
GERS had been given shore leave and, true
i to the instincts of their craft, many of
the sailors were drunk. Perhaps the off,
! Cers had been drinking also. ANYWAY
there was lively row between some of
! the men in which the young ensign en-
| deavored to put a stop. Kelly was into
! the row, of course. Coghlan struck him a
blow over the head, land l struck him
back" said Kelly. There must have been
| several blows, as the incident seems to
have lived in the memory of the fleet.
| Coghlan made no report of the affair and
consequently no trouble resulted to Kelly.
Those were the days of the old navy"
said Kelly
Kelly was on hand when the train bear
ing the Admiral and Mrs. Dewey arrived
in Savannah. He was one of the first TO
shake the hand of the Admiral who
recognized him Immediately and invited
him to call on him at the hotel. which
Kelly did ncs fail to do. When Kelly ar
rfx- a1 ba hot 81 7
did not know him, undertook to prevent
him from entering the Admirars room.
II knew Dewey before he knew Won"
| said Kelly to the lieutenant
Congressman Lester was present and
vouched for Kelly. He was warmly greet
ed by the Admiral, who introduced him
to Mrs Dewey and spoke highly of his
record as a sailor. Almost the first words
which the Admiral said to him were.
We'll Kelly, we recalled you at Manila
bay. When Coghlan came aboard after
the fight to make his report | said. Wei.
you didn't get as bad a beating as Kelly
gave you"
IT was something to be recalled at such
a time by man who had just licked the
Spanish fleet. and Kelly will never fail
to treasure this remark He spent half
an hour with the Admiral, recalling in
cidents from former days and when he
left the Admiral assured him of the pleas
ure which the meeting had given him.
Il might have been well off now, if
had stuck to the navy" said Kelly. in
speaking of the matter. when my time
was up Mr.. Dewey gave me letter and
told me if l ever needed assistance 10
write to him, ana if l entered the navy
again to let him know. 1 lost the letter
and knocking about all over the world
for thirty years, and leading a rough life
! never thought to write him."
Admiral Dewey was quite a dandy sort
of fellow in his younger days, according
to Kelly. He was a very dapper sort of
chap and very particular about his dress.
He was a great hand to dance, and had
rather go to a ball than do almost any,
thing else" Heroes and handles are not
usually classed in the same category. but
1t will be remembered that the Duke OF
Wellington said The handles fought well
| at Waterloo"
Delays are dangerous" Those who
have poor weak, impure blood should take