The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1912-01-05
ADMIRAL EVANS DIES SUDDENLY.
Fatal Illness Closes Career Of Bril-
liant Officer-Without Warming,
Last Summons Comes to
"Fightias Bob"

Washington, Jan. 5.-Rear Admiral
Robley D. Evans, "Fighting Bob to
an admiring nation, died suddenly 'ete
today, at his home in this city. Acute
Indigestion ended the career OF one
of the most popular officers in She
navy. He was i'll less thaz tw' hours.
Admiral Evans, born G. years ago
in Floyd county, Virsinia, arose today
apparently in. better health and
spirits than he had enjoyed in some
! time. For years Il suif.: from ola
| wounds sustained IN the Civil war.
and from recurre1t attecks OF rheu'
matte gout, the agal fighter seemed
to have shaken of tie burden Of his
| advancing days. He displayed. high
spirits at breakfast ar.l ate a nearly
! luncheon at noon.
While Iii his library at clock, the
admiral was stricken: Instantly his
family sent for DR.. q s. Adams; wro,
on. his arrival, found the patient in
great pain. After treatment, Admiral
Evans fell into a restless sleep, and
it was thought the danger had passed.
Shortly after 4 O'Clock, however, he
awakened, and; raising himself with
difficulty, announced that he was
choking. . .~ e..
''I can not get my breath" he said,
ard sank back At AS 6'el6cK lie
died, conscious to the end.
At lis bedside at the time Of his
death we're his wife, his daughter,
Mrs. H. 1. sewall, aud his daughter.
Iin-law, Mrs. Frank E. E7ans. wife of
the admiral's only son, lieutenan
commander in the navy, now on duty
on the toFpede boat destroyer Mona
| han, at BostoII. The only other mem
ber of his Immediate family who was
not present was Ills: daughter, Mrs.
Marsh, wife of Capt. chas. C. Marsh,
commanding the armof'ad crusier
North Carolina
The news spread with great rapid
ity and caused a profound shorE in
official circles.
President Taft was one of the first
to express his grief and coincidence.
He said: "Adimar1 Evans was one of
the most successful squadron COM
manders we have had in the navy for
a: long time. He was a rigid discip-
Harlan, of quick decision and admir-
ABLY advised in the intricacy of the
machinery Of cruisers and battleships
and skilled in drilling them. I am
very sorry to hear of his DEATH"
Admiral Dewey was so overcome
that he could utter but a few words.
II 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
Evans the country loses one Of its
most brilliant and able officers It
was on account of his ability that
President Roosevelt selected him as
commander-in-chief of the feet that
:cruised around the world.
"AIthough on the retired list, he had
kept up his active interest in the ser
vice and Eris unexpected death con8es7
as shock to- the navy"
Former Secretary of the Navy Met
calf, who happened to be in Wash
ington today, pointed out that he 'hiHr-
self had given Admiral Evans COM
mand of the Atlantic fleet In it's cruise
around the world, the choicest as
signment ever extended to an Amer
ican naval officer In time of peace.
"He was practically an i'll man
when he was selected for this I'M
portant duty,7 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,
ard his name has been a household
| word for many years.
! One Of the iron links thet l. 'rn1 tho
old navy to the new, commanding
figure III each, was RobIey D. Evans
{!o did not take kindly 10 the sobr:"
oNct OF "Fghting Fob" for. although