Tulsa daily world. [volume] (Tulsa, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1905-1919, 1912-01-04
WITH ACUTE INDlGI:S-
TION Ar . O'CLOCK. HE
DIES = HOURS LATER.
HAD AN excellent record
Commanded the First American Fleet
That Ever Completed n Cruise
Around the World.

miral Roblcy d. T. fls, Fighting
Bob" to an admiring nation, died sud
denly late today at his home in this
city. Acute indigestion ended the ca
reer of one of the most popular Of
ficers in the navy. lie was i'll less
than two hours.
Admiral Evans born Go years ago
in Floyd county Va, arose today APP
parently In better health and spirits
than he had enjoyed in some time. For
years sufferer from old wounds sus-
tanned in the civil war, and from re-
current attacks of rheumatic gout, the
aged fighter seemed to have shaken
Off the burden of his advancing days.
He displayed high spirits at break
fast and ate a hearty lunch at noon.
Stricken At His Home.
When in his library at 2 o'clock
the Admiral was stricken. Instantly
his family sent for DR.. s. S. Adams
who, on his arrival, found the patient
in great pain. After treatment Admi-
raj Evans fell into a restless sleep and
1t was thought that the danger had
passed. Shortly after four O'Clock.
however, he awakened and raising
himself with difficulty announced that
he was choking.
II cannot get my breath" he said.
and sank back. At 4:45 he died con-
scious to the end.
Family at Bedside.
AT his l/dside were wife, daughter
Mrs. II. |. Sewall. his daughterin- law
Mrs. Frank n. Evans, wife of the
Admiral's only son. a lieutenant COM
mander In the navy, now on duty on
the torpedo destroyer Monahan at
Boston. The only other member Of
his immediate family who was not
present was his daughter. Mrs. March
wife of Captain March, commanding
an armored cruiser.
Former Secretary OF the Navy Met
calf who happened to be in Washing
ton today pointed out that he had
himself given Admiral Evans the
choic est assignment ever extended to
an American naval officer In time of
peace.
Known as "Fightlng Bob"
One of the iron links that bound tho
old navy to the new, n commanding
figure in each, was Robley ID. Evans
He did not take kindly to the sobrl-
quet OF Fighting Bob" for all of the
gruff exterior, he was a man OF the
kindliest impulse. Thus It never was
used In his presence by his friends.
But his dauntless courage In times OF
great emergency the grim determine
ton with which he faced overwhelm-
! ing odds. and the stoicism with which
he bore his wounds and gazed un-
flinchingly In the face OF death made
the title so appropriate that as Eight
ing Bob" he was known wherever the
English language was spoken.
Wounded In Civil War.
| Evans was mere boy when he was
sent to the Naval Academy at Annap-
oils. Before he had got far with his
studies the civil war broke out, and
throwing his books to the winds, he
went to sea and was assigned to block
ade duty. 1t was in one Of the two at
tacks made by the northern navy upon
the powerful defenses at Fort Fisher.
n. c.. that young Evans received the
wound through the thigh that made
him a cripple for life. He suffered
three other wounds but as soon az he
was discharged from the hospital h
again plunged into the fighting and
served until the end OF the war with
great credit.
| af ha
came period of stagnation which
marked the passing % the old wooden
navy. Evans drifted for n time into
civil pursuits although never relin-
gushing his connection with the SER
vice.
Tested First Steel Boat.
II was Evans who took the little
dispatch boat Dolphin on cruise
around the world, to test the structu-
raj strength OF this first product OF
the infant steel ship building for ac-
tive use. He was given the best ship
because his superior officers knew he
could be trusted to handle them safely
A few busy years engaged in duty
on the construction board which plan
ned the modern battleships and cruis-
ers. and In long cruises to try out the
result of his brainwork on the high
seas. brought Evans then n command
or, TO the opening of the Spanish Am
erican war. He wanted battleship
and he fnt one. one OF the best. the
Iowa. which represented the latest
psrd"cf ~ the American shipyard.
4
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