The Washington herald., 1908-05-08
bob" EVANS ENDS
OFFICIAL CAREER
Last Of Civil War Officers
to Step Aside.
TAKES PART IN THE PARADE
Gets ThunderOus Ovation from
FrenEied MuItitudes in San Fran
ciscO-ReguIHr Army and National
Guard Take Part-VeteFaRs OF
Three Wars In Line.

San Francisco. May Rear Admiral
Robley D. Evans practically closed his
official career to-day. when he partici-
pated personally in the imposing parade
Of soldiers and sailors
The end of his long record Of public
service was marked by tumultuous ap-
plause and cheering. He rode the entire
length of the route OF the procession in
a carriage with Mayor Taylor and an aid
lat the head Of his marching sailor boys.
The carriage was midway in the line
From start TO finish the admiral was in
the center OF a demonstration frenzied in
its enthusiasm.
The people made a veritabIe hero Of him
They seemed to realize what a mighty
effort it had cost him TO make his final
public appearance to-day. Now that near
~ all the facts regarding HIS Illness has
become public, and Il has become !. own
how severely he has suffered and ,ghat
grit he had to use to get ready for the
formal exit from official life. the people
cheeTed him wildly as one who had es-
capped the jaws Of death by courage
Bob" they acclaimed, and while il was
true that there was great enthusiasm
for various features of the parade, espe-
cially for the sailor boys Of the feet. it
is also true that the parade consisted
chiefly Of Bob Evans first, last, and all
the time.
Quits with Smiling Face.
He said his public good-bys with a
smiling face. He was waving his chapeau
flowers were tossed into his
carriage by the bushels, and kisses were
thrown him by the thousands When
chaned about the latter he coughed and
said:
THAT was easy. I'm sorry I had to |
miss several hundred of them that got |
pass me-"
Few men have ended their official career |
more auspiciously. A perfect day and a
smart breeze futtered the hags exultingly. |
The parade consisted of about 1900 men |
and was strictly military in character |
with the exception of one float represent |
ing the cruiser California This was al |
lowed at the end Of the line as con-
cession to State pride.
The regular army and national guard |
preceded the navy. Then |
came about 5000 bluejaekets and marines, /
probably the largest force of Uncle Sans |
sailors that ever marched in one parade. |
Followed by Veterans.
These were followed by veterans Of the /
Mexican. civil. and Spanish wars, anG /
a few distinguished civilians, chiefly Cali
fornia pioneers.
The parade was extremely well man
aged. The entire line OF march was roped |
off from curb to curb. Not a street car,
vehicle of any kind, or even pedestrian
was allowed inside the ropes. Even
newspaper reporters had to have special
badges to get through to their own
Offices. The broad sidewalks were packed
from curbs to buildings
The parade started exactly on schedule /
time. and was about two hours and a |
half passing q given point Khaki mount
ed pelice led the marchers. Then came
Gen. J. A. Jester, of the California Ma
tional Guard, as grand marshal, accom-
panied by gorgeously arayed staff aids.
Next IN line, riding Alone was Brig. Gen.
Funston on a superb brown horse. look
Ing like the traditional little man on
horseback" He led about 1900 Federal
troops-infantry, field artillery. coast ar
tillery parading as infantry, cavalry. en-
gineers. and signal corps. Then Gov. Gil
lett and Secretary Metealf, of the navy,
and many other big and little fish In car
riages. Following this came a battalion |
Of youngsters in full dress. They looked
like West Point lads at first.
They were the Salt Lake Cadets, most of
whom had never seen the ocean, and
came all the way out to act as escort to
Admiral Evans in the parade.
Every boy was proud as a peacock. and
Continued on Page 3, Column