The Meeker herald., 1908-06-06

The Evans Washington home IL almost
under the shadow of the capitol. and
..ithough 1t Is not pointed out by the
lecturers on the sightseeing automo-
biIes nor exploited in the guide books.
II is in many respects one of the most
interesting old houses in Washington.
A great square. red-brick structure, 1t
was built some time prior to the civil
war. and was long known as the Tay-
lor homestead. For all that its as
ISOLATION with Admiral Evans grew
out of his marriage with Charlotte.
eldest daughter of Frank Taylor. the
historic old mansion has been most
intimately linked with the life story
of the man who ranks next to Admiral
Dewey as the nations most popular
naval hero. :
In this house his romance began.
Here he was married in 1871. stand,
ing between the two windows over
looking Judiciary square, and this has
been home to him ever since his
earliest day in the navy. And, by the
way. it was very pretty romance OF!
which Robley d. Evans was the hero
In the days following his graduation
from the naval academy ahead Of time
In order that he and his classmates,
might participate in the civil war. IT.
was the old story Of college friend,
ship, the chum's visit to his room
mates home and the meeting with his
companions pretty sister. with the
inevitable result.
Robley ID. Evans, the son of coun.
try doctor in Virginia. had gone out TO
Utah to acquire the legal residence
necessary for his appointment to the
naval academy from that territory.
but most of his boyhood had been
spent In Washington. and therefore 1t
was but natural that when he entered
the institution at Annapolis In 1860
he should strike up warm friendship
with lad from the District Of Column
bia-Henry Clay Taylor 1.-THE late
Rear Admiral Taylor. The latter in
vited his friend to come home with
him for visit. and so young Evans
was introduced to the house which Is
now his home Here he met Miss
Charlotte. and later when the young
Virginian became desperately III at
the home of his chum 1t was she who
nursed him back to health. The
sequel. of course. was naval well
ding. and from that time the house.
with its spacious rooms and old ma
hogany, became home to the naval Of
f1cer.
In more recent years Admiral Evans
has filed the house with interesting
art objects and souvenirs Of travel.
There are household pets in plenty
at the Evans home, and the children
are not responsible for the presence Of
all Of them by any means. Conspicu-
GUS among the number are several
parrots OF most gorgeous plumage. II
was one Of the birds OF this colony
that the Washington police were
called upon to make search for when
1t escaped one day last fall Then
there is the third Bob" Evans on the
domestic roster-a blooded dog pre-
scented by Archie and Quentin Roose-
welt to Lieut.. Evans. son OF the ad-
miral. when he was In command OF
the Sylph. and dainty black and
white Japanese spaniel, with a we'll
nigh unpronounceable name. brought
from the orient by Mrs. Marsh.
No mention of Admiral Evans home
life would be complete without refer
ence OF George" the veteran colored
servitor who has for years looked
after the wants of the naval officer
afioat and ashore. George Is an ex-
slave. who was long>in the service Of
the Taylor family and descended to
Admiral Evans with the Washington
house