Coeur d'Alene evening press. (Coeur d'Alene, Idaho) 1907-1929, 1908-09-25
.sF,shtins Rob,." Retirement.

Lake Mohonk. y. Y. famed for It's
championship Of world pcace. recent
~ outdld Itself In doing honor to
man OF war who has devoted forty.
eight years of his life to service In
the United States navy. The man
A Fighting Bob" Evans, who Ia
day Is suffering from the effects Of a
bullet wound received during the
stormlng OF Fort Fisher fOrty..h
years ago. The occasion Of Lake Mo
hOnk's testimonial was Rear Admiral
Evans retirement from the navy at
the age Of sixty-two In accepting a
loving cup presented to him the rear
admiral said;
II may not be out OF place FOR me To-
say that during my forty-eight years az
service | have done all In my power TO
uphold the honor and dignity OF my coun-
try and that l have loved the dear old
nag ~ love nothing else In this world
That ] have suffered severely under that
iiag must be evident TO any one who sees
me. but ! would live my life over again
Just as have lived Il II knew the suf-
fcrtng was 10 be a thousand times as
great I 80 % the retired list with a
feeling that II is q reward for long and
honorable service. and l hope 10 enjoy
the rest and comfort Il may bring unless
sumo emergency shall call mo back Into
active service, when l shall give all that
remains of mo 20 my country ms willingly
a. ! have given the best years Of my
manhood.
The navy since the days Of the civil
war has developed many gallant aud
capable officers. most OF whom have
done the work Of building great
navy without noise or buster and
many Of whom have retired from the
service with high rank practically un.
known TO the general public oppor-
tnnlty has not knocked at their door.
Our Deweys. Simpsons. Schlcys and
HobsOns have been iucOnslderable In
number because Of many years OF
peace and few chances TO win dis
tinction. The men Of the navy are
such courageous and rcsonrccful chaps,
however, that doubtless few OF the
unknowns would have failed to give n
rood account OF themselves In a crisis
had they been called upon to face Il.
With the passing OF Evans from ae-
tive service the navy loses one o. tn
most famous and picturesque officers,
Hls aohriquet, Fighting Bob" which
Ne h said to dislike very much. was
no Idle Characterization. At the age OF
nineteen he participated In two land
attacks on Fort Fisher, during which
he received four severe ride shot
wounda' at thirty-live he showed great
courage and determination IN Chilean
waters; At ffty.two, as commander of
the Iowa. be assisted m sinking Ger,
veFa's feet, aud al slxty-one he left
Hampton Roads for the Pacific with
sixteen hattleships ready" as he ex-
pressed Il. "foF a eight or a frolle."
Scores II stories illustrating his cour
age, his rcsoureefulness, his wit and
his self reliance have been printed,
and now that be has retired the great
public as well as the naval world viii
miss him. Fame a.plenty has been
his. Retirement does not Ind him
classed among the unknowns. aud yet
perhaps the unknowns are not alto.
gethcr 10 he pitied Many % them
who have lived 60 see Dewey heart.
sick. almost hearthrokcn. over the
fekle pubile's change OF front toward
him, sampson wrecked IN body Aul
mind, Schley disappointed aud lmblt
tered aud Hohson IN the Ananlas club
have doubtless congratulated them.
selves that fame never wreathed their
brows with the laurel.