Lewiston evening teller. [volume] (Lewiston, Idaho) 1903-1911, 1908-08-18

Washington. Aug 1S.--The name
of as gallant and efficient officer as
ever wore the American naval uni
form was removed from the active
list today when Rear Admiral Rob
ley d. Evans, known the world over
as Fighting Bob" was retired for
age. Admiral Evans took the great
Atlantic battleship fleet around
Cape Horn last winter and his Of
fetal career virtually ended with
the arrival of the fleet at San Fran
CISCO Since that time he has been
on leave of absence and has been
sojourning at various health resorts
in an effort to conquer bad at
tack of rheumatism. an ailment
from which he has suffered for a
number of years.
With the single exception Of Ad-
n,iral Dewey, Fighting Bob" Ev-
ans was undoubtedly the best
known and most popular officer the
American navy has had since the
heroes of the Civil war period pas
sed from active life. Admiral Ev-
ans in recent years has been known
as the reliable man of the navy. for
there was always assurance that he
would discharge his duty with cour-
age and patriotism, and with tact
and diplomacy should his mission
become a delicate one. Throughout
his career he was adored by his
men, and he knew also how to hold
the favor at Washington.
Admiral Evans began fighting in
the Civil war, when he was still in
his teens, and completed his record
of actual hostilities with the great
work he did with the battleshir
Iowa at Santiago. In the interval
and since that time he rendered his
country every kind of service.
Evans went to the Annapolis &C.
edemy in 1850. and year latel
came the outbreak of the Civil war
The mother Of Robley demanded
that he resign from the United
States service and fight for the
South. His brother espoused thu
cause of the Confederacy. But Rob
ley decided in favor of Washington
and announced his determination t.
stand for the Union. 1t was q re
cision that cost him many heart
burnings, for 1t was many years be
fore his mother forgave him.
His brother fought CALAMITY To-
the South, and was twice wounded
He did not share his mothers in
dignation at the young naval Off
Ger, and the two brothers neve
wavered in their friendship, de
spite the divergence in their politi
cal views.
Evans active service began Il
the West Indies wher he command
ed a yacht sent to search for Con
federate privateers He was frs
under fire at Fort Fisher and wa
wounded in the attack on tina
stronghold. 1t was at first decide
that both of his legs would have t
be amputated. which would, O
course ended his naval career. Blu
even then Evans had that swiftnes
: Of action which later was to brin
him distinction. AS soon as tn
doctors communicated to him thei
decision to take of his legs he dre'
| his revolver and announced that
would blow of the head Of the frs
man that dared to approach hin
Adopting new measures the physic
ans worked with him and manage
to restore him to health with bot
legs intact
FL In 1891 Evans increased his fam
nv his conduct in VALPARAISO harbo
He was in charge Of the little gur
boat Yorkton. during the irwin
period when the least slip migt
have precipitated war between II
countries. conflict that won
have entailed serious consequence
y since 1t is no secret that Gre;
Britain at that time sympathiae
with the South Americans. In II
? teeth OF the protests Of the Chilea
government Commodore Evans toe
on his boat the refugees from II
American legation. and when II
natives threatened reprisals he a.
Il nounced that at the first hint OF g
!. attack he would lombard the cit
The world admired his spunk. al
Washington learned that in "Ffgh
a1ing Bob" It had a man who cou
be trusted in any cricis.