The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1912-01-04
End Comes Very Sud-
denly in His Wash
ing Home.
FIGHTING BOB"TO
ADMIRING NATION.
He Was Link Which Bound Old
to Modern Navy and in Each
Was Commanding Figure.
For Years His Name Had
Been Household
Word.

Washington, January 3.-Eear-Ad-
ntrnl Itohley ID. Ernns, "Fishtins Bobb
TO an admirlns nation, died suddenly
late to-day Mt his homo In this city
Acute indigestion ended the career or
ono OF the most popular officers in the
navy. He wns III less thun two hours,
Admiral Evans. born siXty-fve years
ago III Floyd county Virginia. arose
to-day apparently I'M better health and
spirits than he had enjoyed in some
Tine For years sufferer from old
wounds sustained In the Civil War and 8
from recurrcnt attacks of rheumatic
govt, the aged lighter seemed to have
shaken off the burden OF his advancing
days. He displayed high spirits at
breakfast and ate hearty luncheon
at noon.
Stricken in His Library.
while in his library at . O'Clock the
admiral was stricken. Instantly his
family sent for Dr. s. S. Adams, who.
on his arrival. found the patent in
great pain. After treatment Admiral
evans Tell into u restless steep, and II
was believed That the danger mad pass
cd shortly after 4 O'CLOCK, however. <
no awakened and. raising himself with
uiiheully' announced that he was chok-
Ing.
Il cannot get my BREATH" he said,
ana sank back. At i45 O'Clock ho
died. conscious to the end.
AZ MS bedside at the time OF his
death were his wife, his daughter. Mrs.
II. l. Sewell, and his daughter in law.
Mrs. Frank Il. Evans. vile OF the nd-
mirafs only son, lieutenant COM
mander In the navy, now on duty OH
the torpcdoboat destroyer NIonahan,
at Boston The only other member OF
his immediate family who was not
present was Mrs. Marsh. wife OF Cas-
tain Charles G Marsh. commanding the
armored cruiser North Carolina
The news spread With great rapido Y
lty and caused profound shock in
oliiclal circles President Taft was one
Oh the first to express his grief and
coincidence. He said 1
ADMIRAL Evans was one of the most
successful squadron commanders we
have had In the navy for q long time.
ite was rigid disciplinnrian. OF au,cls
decision and admirably advised in the
lhtrlcacy OF tho machinery of cruls-
ers and battleships and skilled in drill
ing them. L am very sorry 10 hear OF
his DEATH.
Admiral Dewey Overcome.
Rear-1Admiral Dewey was SO overs
come thut nc could utter but a few
words. Il am shocked peyono measure
Ut the sudden death OF my liIc-long
friend, Admiral Evans" was all ha
could say. -
Secretary Meyer pays this tribute to
the oilicer's memory:
BY the suuuen death of Admiral
Evans. tho country loses one OF its
most brilliant and able officers. Ii was
ON account of his abilitl that Presi-
dent Roosevelt selected him as com-
mander-in- cnief of the fleet that cruis-
cd around the world Although on tho 4
rclired list, he had kept UP his active
interest in the service, and his unex.
pccteu death comes as u shock to tho
navy"
Former Secretary OF the Navy Met,
car, who happened to be In Washing-
ton to-day, pointed out that he himj
SELF had given ADMIRAL Evans tho
command OF the Atlantic Fleet in its
cruise around the world, the choicest
assignment ever extended to an Amer
lean naval officer in time OF peace
'lio was practically an i'll man when
no was selected for this Important
duty" said Mr.. Metcalf. but his splen.
dld record justified the department in
giving him this recognition OF his lonS
ana eincient service lie was one of
the most efficient and capable officers
the navy has known and his name has
been household word for many
years"
One of the Iron links that bound tho
old navy TO the new, commanding
inquire In each. was Roblcy D. Evans.
lie did not take kindly to the sobrl-
quot OF Fighting Bob" for. although
OF Sruff exterior, he was a man OF the
Rindlicst Impulses. Thus 1t never was
used III his presence by his rriends
But his daunticss ciurage in times OF
great emergency. the grim determina-
lion with which lie faced ovcrwhelm-
Ing odds and the stoicIsm with which
he bore his wounds and gazed unfiinch-
ing IN the face OF death made the tito
so appropriate that as Fighting Bob
he was known wherever the English
language is spoken.
Throws Books TO Winds.
Evans was mere boy when he wax
sent TO the Naval Academy at .tnnapo.
lis, Before he had got far with hia
studies the Civil War broke out. and,
throwing his books TO the winds. hs
went 10 sea and was assigned to block
ade duty. Ii was In one OF the two at
tacks made by the Northern navy upon
the powerful dnfensfs at Fort Fisher.
y. c.. that young Evans received tn,
wound through the thigh that made
him cripple for life. He suffered
three other wounds. but a. soon as he
was discharged from tho hospital no
again plunged into the lighting and
served until the end IF the Civil Mar
with great credit,
With the ending OF the war there &
came period Of stasnation which e
marked the passing OF the old wooden
navy Evans dr!tted for a time into
civil pursuits, although never ssl!n-
gushing his connection with the SCR
vice. In fact. Us soon as ConSrcss
manifested its purpose to meet the in n
sistent demand OF Secretaries chandler Z
and Whitney for a renovation OF thu b
American navy, Evans came back lnte
tlps service. and was one OF tho lead
La. I-.k Il