Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1912-01-06
ADMIRAL EVANS
DIES SUDDENLY
Famous Naval Fighter Sue
Cumbs in Washington
HERO OF MANY SEAS
He Was Stricken With an Attack Of
Acute Indigestion and Soon Passed

Acute Indigestion and Soon Passed
Away.
Rear Admiral Robley Dunglison
Evans, Familiarity known to the Ameri-
can people as Fighting Bob" Evans.
died az his home in Washington. fol-
lowing an illness OF less than three
hours. An attack vi acute indigestion,
which came after he had eaten his
| luncheon, was the cause OF death.
With Admiral Evans at the time OF
his death were his wife and his daugh-
ter, Mrs Harold Sewall Aother daugh-
ter Is the wief OF Captain c. c. Marsh,
OF the United States navy His son,
Frank Taylor Evans. is lieutenant in
the navy, attached TO the L. ). $. Mo-
hican. now stationed at olongpa, In the
Philippines
Admiral Evans, one Of the most
popular men Ia the navy. arose ap-
parently in better health than he had
enjoyed for some time He had lunch.
and almost Immediately afterward was
stricken 4 doctor was called hurried
IL, but the naval officer lapsed into un-
consciousness and died before he ar
rived
Admiral Evans started the battle
ship fleet in It's record breaking cruise
around the world, resignlng command
at San Francisco because OF his ap-
preaching retirement from the service.
From President TAFT down, officials OF
the government expressed the deepest
regret over his sudden demise
Born IN Floyd county Va. Aug is,
1876. RobleA Dunglison Evans went
to Washington at the age OF eleven to
live with his uncle. a newspaper man.
upon the death OF his father. DR.. Sam
uel Andrew jackson Evans. II was
while attending the public schools in
Washington that his yearning Tor the
sea first became manifest. as he him
sell states Ia bis autobiography, "A
Sailors Log"
Securing an appointment to tho
naval academy from the Territory OF
Utah. he entered that institution on
| Sept IL. 1860. When war broke out
between the states, his mother. as.
suming thar he would take arms for
his state against his country. sent in
/ his resignation to Washington and il
was promptly accepted Young Evans
was determined, however TO stand by
the Union. even against his own fam
ily. and mad himself reappolnted, much
to .his mothers chagrln. He was grad
/ f4I ststfh
throughout the remainder of the con.
nict
lie became lieutenant in 1866.
| lieutenant commander two years later
and a commander in 1878. He reached
the grade os captain IN 1898, and as
such officer served through the Span
ish. American war, commanding the
baitleship Iowa at the battle Of San
tiago. lie was promoted to the rank
cf rear admiral in 1901, thus reaching
the highest rung In the ladder possible
without the aid OF a special act OF
congress.
Rear Admiral Evans had been in
poor health for some time and al
| though suffering from rheumatism
when the baitleship teet sailed from
| Hampton Roads In December. 1907. for
its world tour. he persisted in his de-
termination 10 crafty his life's ambi-
! tion 20 take the fleet around Cape
Horn He was M during nearly the
entire voyage and continued so until
after he was relieved OF command,
MAY .. 1905. az san Francisco.
Il was during the perdiod OF strained
relations with chile that he earned
the sohrlquet OF Fighting Bob" lie
was til command Of the gunboat York
town. stationed a; Valparaiso. which
place be threatened to efface from the
topography of Chile In such vigorous
and earnest language that the naughty
Iatin.Americans speedily released the
American sailors whose frolic ashore
had led 10 "a riot and incidentally TO
an unpleasant diplomatic situation
Though possessed Of exceptional
executive ability Rear Admiral Evans
always preferred sea duty 10 service
ashore He probably aid more than
any living man 20 unity this country's
floating aghiing force. and great credit
is due him for the high state Of eff
cheney OF equipment and personnel OF
! the navy.