The Oskaloosa herald., 1908-08-20
FIGHTING BOB TO
| FIGHT NO MORE
REAR ADMIRAL EVANS RETIREs
AT AGE OF 62 YEARS.
CELEBRATION OF EVENT
Famous Naval Commander swamped
with Messages and Calls Of Con.
gratulation--Meetins In
His Honor.

Lake Mohonk, NJ Y, Aug. 19-Far
from grim warships and the sea,
where he spent nearly half century
In the service of his country, Rear
Admiral Robley D.. Evans of the
United States navy, who is at this
quiet mountain hotel, reached the age
limit of 81 years Tuesday and passed
from the ranks of the country's active
sea fighters. ,.ls.s
Here, Rsasre IA peace conferences
have assembled, sending forth to the
world appeals that arms be laid down,
one of the worlds greatest naval CON-
rnanders laid down his arms, probably
never again to take them up in the
defense of the country he has served
so well. His has been the longest
seryice-but two years short of half a
century-of any man who has reached
the office of rear admiral in the
United States navy
Flooded with Congratulations.
All through the day the hotel was
thronged with admirers Of Fighting
Bob" as his hosts of friends delight
to call him, eager to congratulate him
on the sixty-second birthday and to
wish him many more happy and useful
years. kilograms by the score reached
him from all parts Of the country, all
expressing felicitation and affection
for the man who has done so much to
build up the American navy. Many
of the messages brought delighted
smiles to the admirars face, while
others brought Just a suspicion of
moisture to his eyes, The telegram
in particular which caused him many
smiles. came from an old friend in
Washington and said:
For some of us, Skipper, your flag
will always fly"
Sailors, soldiers, statesmen and
civilians, in fact every walk Of life,
was represented 1.-the great outpour-
ing of messages which came to him
Tuesday.
Expects to Live a Century.
In reply to a friend who asked the
admiral how he felt on his sixty-sec-
ond birthday, he replied characterist.
ically:
Cit as a fiddle. am So years
young to-day and I expect to reach
hundred. I am taking on flesh at the
rate Of half pound day, and l
haven't got a thing to do but loaf.
Who wouldn't get well under such cir
cumstances?"
2 admiral said he expected to
st here until October, when he will
&, to Washington to be associated
with the general board in an advisory
capacity. He added that he expected
to do some work before he left here,
having arranged with a magazine to
write IL articles on naval subjects.
Celebration In His Honor.
The formal celebration in honor OF
the admiral took place in the evening
in the large parlor of the Mountain
hotel. The room was gaily decorated
with American flags, but the feature
which attracted the attention of every.
body was battle-scarred flag which
the admiral carried on the Iowa during
the battle with the Spanish feet at
Santiago. Albert K Smiley intro.
dnced as presiding officer of the cere.
ihchiVo IuWdiu VI NEW
York. When Admiral Evans was
brought into the room in wheel chair
the audience applauded him vigorous.
ly keeping 1t up until the admiral
silently raised his hand as request
for silence. Mr.. Simmons then deliv.
cred an eulogy of the admiral
A large number of letters from men
distinguished in public and private |
life were then read by Mr.. Simmons. |
Among them was one from President
Roosevelt.
Loving Cup Presented.
After a number of impromptu ad- |
dresses DIR. Andrew s. Draper of New
York presented to Admiral Evans a |
beautiful loving cup, the gift of guests
of the hotel He made brief speech |
of acceptance, and then a huge birth
day cake, covered With 62 lighted can.
dies, was brought into the room. This
gift seemed to please the admiral
more than any other part of the cere-
monies of the evening