The Idaho Springs siftings-news., 1912-01-06
WORLDS ABLEST SEAMAN AND
HERO OF TWO WARS,
DIES SUDDENLY.
ILL ONLY Two HOURS
ACUTE INDIGESTION ENDED THE
CAREER OF THIS POPULAR
NAVAL OFFICER.
Western Newspaper Union News Service

Western Newspaper Union News Service
Washington.-Rear Admiral Robley
D. Evans, Fighting Bob" to an ad-
/miring nation. died suddenly at his
home in this city.
Acute Indigestion ended the career
OF one of the most popular officers of
the navy. He was i'll less than two
hours.
Admiral Evans was born sixty-five
years ago in Floyd county, Virginia.
For years sufferer from old
wounds sustained in the Civil War
and from recurrent attacks of rheu-
matte gout, the aged fighter seemed
to have shaken off the burden of his
advancing days.
While in his library the admiral was
stricken Instantly his family sent for
DIR. S. S. Adams, who, on arrival. found
the patient in great pain.
After treatment, Admiral Evans fell
into a restless sleep and it was
thought the danger had passed. Short
ly afterwards he awakened and, rails
ing himself with difficulty, announced
that he was choking.
Il cannot get my breath" he said
and sank back.
At his bedside were his wife, his
daughter. Mrs. H. I. Sewall. and his
daughter-in-law, Mrs. Frank T. Evans.
wife OF the admiraPs only son, lieu
tenant commander in the navy, now on
duty on the torpedo boat destroyer
Monahan at Boston. The only other
member OF his immediate family who
was not present was his daughter. Mrs.
Marsh, wife OF Capt. Charles c.
Marsh, commanding the armored cruis-
er North Carolina.
The news spread with great rapidity
and caused profound shock in Of
ficial circles President Taft was one OF
the first to express his grief and con
dolence. He said:
Admiral Evans was one OF the most
successful squadron commanders we
have had in the navy for long time.
He was a rigid disciplinarian. OF quick
decision and admirably advised in the
intricacies of the machinery of cruis-
ers and battleships and skilled in drill
ing them. | am very sorry to hear OF
his death"
Admiral Dewey was so overcome
that he could utter but a few words
Il am shocked beyond measure at
the sudden death of my lifelong
friend, Admiral Evans" was all he
could say
Secretary Meyer paid this tribute
to the officers memory:
by the sudden death Of Admiral
nf
most brilliant and able officers. 1t
was on account of his ability that
President Roosevelt selected him as
ccmmander-in-chief of the fleet that
cruised around the world. Although
on the retired list. he has kept up his
active interest in the service and his
unexpected death came as shock TO
the navy"
Former Secretary of the Navy Met
calf, who happened to be in Washing
ton, pointed out that he had himself
given Admiral Evans the command of
the Atlantic fleet in its cruise around
the world, the choicest assignment
ever extended to an American naval
officer in time OF peace.
He was practically an i'll man
when he was selected for this i'm
portant duty" said Mr., Metcalf, but
his splendid record justified the de-
partment in giving him this recogni-
ton OF his long and efficient service.
He was one of the most efficient and
capable officers the navy has known
and his name has been a household
word for years"
He did not take kindly to the sobri-
quet of Fighting Bob for although
of gruff exterior, he was a man of the
kindliest impulses. Thus 1t was never
used in his presence by his friends.