The San Francisco call., 1908-05-10
ADMIRAL W[[PS IN
GOODBY TO FLEET
Sees Ships Lying at Anchor for
Last Time From Ferry
Boat
Crowds Gather at Hotel When
Word of Departure Is Sent
Abroad


ness into its heart. He has gone to
seek the peaceful reward of honored
retirement after a half century of de-
votion and service to his country His
two star flag has been hauled down from
the Connecticut's mast and another
has been set in his position of COM
mand.
Bravely has he said farewell to his
beloved shipmateS and without osten-
tation he has bade adieu to the city
OF his goal. But he has not gone from
the hearts OF the people of San Fran
cisco, nor has he released his COM
mand over their admiration. Deep
seated affection will keep green the
memory of his kindly heart and the
sunny serenity of his mind under ply
steal infirmity. Time will not dim the
recollection of his rugged courage, his
fixity of purpose. his adamantine de-
termination, his devotion to duty.
Il said I was coming to San Fran
cisco. and 1 am here" will always re-
main as memory of the man in the
hearts of San Franciscans
His departure was unattended with
the pomp and circumstance OF military
etiquette. 1t was his desire that the
hour of his leaving be kept secret that
he might be spared the bitterness of
farewell.
Il cannot say goodby." he said.
everybody has been so good to me-.
His physicians also took a deter
mined stand in the matter and the
admiral was left much alone, with
his family as possible. A delegation
of the reception committee, headed by
James d. Phelan, called and presented
the admiral with a gold match case,
on the face of which the Golden gate
was represented. A single diamond
for the setting sun and a silver sheen
for its rays completed the picture of
the gate through which Evans had
brought the fleet
An inscription, II said would bring
the fleet through the Golden Gate, and
here 1 am" was neatly carved on the
reverse side of the souvenir. The ad-
miral was greatly pleased with the
memento, and the committee left him
in a very cheerful frame of mind.
EVANS wEEPs AT FAREWELL
1t was impossible, however. in the
reception of his brother officers for the
admiral to retain theS composure of
mind his physicians had endeavored to
inculcate. When Captain Bartlett of
the Ohio and other officers entered his
apartments to say farewell the rugged
spirit gave way. and the aged hero
broke into tears.
1t was a heartrending scene, this
great, courageous man weeping as he
clesped the hands of those who had
travelled with him and had fought
the fight of the nation at his side. And
when the IL stalwart warriors emerged
from that farewell interview the ad-
mirars grief had becbme their own.
There was not dry eye in the entire
group.
About o'clock a corps of policemen
arrived at the St Francis hotel and
took up their position in two horizontal
files in front of the ladies' entrance. 1t
soon became whispered about that the
admiral was about to leave the city
on an evening train. Slowly a crowd
assembled. In an hour there were a
thousand persons at the door and the
police had difficulty In keeping clear
the avenue of approach to the automo-
bile. The sentiment of the, entire city
was crystallized in that throng. There
was no hustling. They spoke quietly
and in whispers. An impending sense
of gloom permeated the atmosphere q
sorrow genuine as man might feel
in saying long farewell to beloved
member of his own household.
ADMIRAL LEAVES HOTEL
Men and women grouped about the
elevator in the lobby. AS the dial moved
from IL to ] a cry went up, He is go
ingi He is goingv Women drew their
handkerchiefs and men stood mute and
hatless watching the elevator descend.
AS the door was swung open a voice
was heard saying
Yes, 1 am going to walk. Take off
your hands. am going to walk
1t was the admirals voice, and with
electric instantaneousness 1t turned the
sorrow of the multitude into enthu-
siasm.
Three cheers for Fighting Bob /"
came the cry from an enthusiastic
throat. And the cheers came strong
and pulsating with love.
God bless you. admiral, and keep
you" an elderly lady said in a voice
just audible enough to reach the ad-
miraPs ears. He heard and understood
and bowed his thanks
In the street the crowd was now on
the very apex Of Its excitement Tears
mingled with cheers. A little girl in
the arms of her mother squeezed
through the line of policemen and
threw a bouquet of roses into the auto
mobile. The admiral walked on crutches
and disdained the kindly offers of as
sistance of his son, Lieutenant Evans,
and Lieutenant Train.
The admirals family followed, made
UP of Mrs. Evans and Mrs. Marsh, with
his staff, Lieutenant r. Gherardi, the
commander OF the dnktOn, Lieutenant
Commander L. H. Chandler and DR.. Paul
Mcdonald. The party were the guests
of Mr.. and Mrs Henry L. Scott, who
conducted them to the ferry. Joseph
Horsburgh and Frank Synmes also at
tended the group.
WHISTLE sCHEECHEs GoODBY
A whistle from stationary engine
in nearby building set up a terrific
screech. The flag with the two stars
on the field of blue that has been flying
at the top of the hotel was lowered.
! Without other ceremony the leave TAX
| ing was accomplished.
| Historians have loved to picture
their favorite heroes impressively tax
| ing leave of their armies, and painters
have set on canvas a Washington, a
| Frederick the Great. a Napoleon say
| ing farewell to theirftroops But no
more beautiful or inspiring scene was
ever set before the gaze of man than
when Admiral Evans, looking out upon
the great white ships he had brought
! safely into the harbor after cruise
| of $4,000 miles. and which he had but
few hours before surrendered to the
command of another, lifted his hat In