The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1901-02-28

Gift OF Iowa People to the Captain
of the Iowa.

aHEEMUZ
Washington, Feb. 21!-Captain Rob-
ley ID. Evans. U. S. N, was last night
presented with a handsome sword,
the gift of the citizens of Iowa in rec
ognition of the services rendered his
country while in command of the bat
tieship Iowa ut Santiago on July 8,
1898. The members of the Iowa dele
cation with their families attended
the presentation at the Evans home
Mt 324 Indiana The sword,
which is valued at $500, was pur-
chased through the agency of the
Commercial Exchange of Des Moines,
with money contributed by the citi-
zens of Iowa. Speaker Henderson
made the presentation speech.
When the guests arrived they were
greeted by Representative Hull, who
introduced each to Captain and Mrs.
Evans. During the presentation Cap
q Evans stood beneath the ensign
which flew from the mast head of
the Iowa at the battle of Santiago. :
Representative Hull gave a brief
sketch of the gift and handed it to
Speaker Henderson, who turned to
Captain Evans and said, in part:
ITO me has been assigned the
pleasant duty of presenting to you
this sword. Tt comes from warm, APP
preciative, noble hearts in Iowa, to be
presented to you as a token of their
appreciation of your valor and also to
testify their love for and devotion to
American heroes of the sea, of which
class you are u beloved and %conspicu-
Gus example. l find upon examina-
ton that your record is as fol-
lows"
Speaker Henderson then read Cap
tain Evans record, which showed
that he was the commander of the
Iowa from March, 1893, until Septem-
Der of the same year. Continuing,
Speaker Henderson said:
Your high courage and character
can be well inferred from this glori-
Gus record. The name of Bob Evans
is a household word in the United
States. The opinion of your fellow
officers places you foremost among
u heroes of the deep. Iowa is
proud of you and symbolizes her af-
knowing that you will never use it for
any other purpose than to maintain
the honor of the United States"
Captain Evans accepted the sword
and then replied in characteristic,
straightforward
Gentlemen of the Iowa delegation:
Making speeches, as you all possibly
know, is not my trade. I wish it
were, for this occasion at least, that
/ might tell you in fitting words how
grateful am for the honor you have
done me and how entirely I appre-
ciate the sentiment of those who
have sent this sword.
1.-The beautiful battleship named
after your great commonwealth. and
which, through the courtesy of the
secretary of the navy. / had the hon
OF to command during the Spanish
war, was manned by six hundred Off
GERS and men. They we're as brave
q band as ever fought for the dear
old flag, and it was what they did
that brings me this token of the good
will of your people.
"As the commander of the gallant
crew of the Iowa, I accept this beau
tiful sword. You could not give a
token to each of them, therefore this
n to me. They are scattered over
the waters of the east, but the heart
of each will warm with pride and graf
itude when he learns that one of
their number has been honored. l
hope that some, day the national con
gress will suitably recognize the gal
liant conduct of each one of my com
rades, and that the day may not be
far distant.
81 beg iyou to convey to your people
the expression of my heartfelt thanks
and GI~atitude."