Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1917-01-17

Montpelier, on the day following
Christmas in 1897. At the age
OF II, he reached the cross roads
OF his career: one road led to West
Point, the other to Annapolis. Young
Dewey favored the former, but---
There was no vacancy for West
Point from Vermont" explained the
admiral In reviewing his life. Other
wise I might have gone into Manila
bay on an army transport instead OF
on the Olympia. But 1t happened that
there was a vacancy at Annapolis, so
entered the navy. s4s
At the outbreak Of the civil war.
Dewey was 20 years old. He was COM
missioned lieutenant, and guided the
Mississippi as its executive officer IN
Farraguts historic dash past New Or
leans and its forts. He was not so suo-
cessful at Port Hudson. Farragut won
thru, but Dewey and the Mississippi
ran aground under the guns OF the
forts. The ship was set afire and dur
ing the transfer OF the crew under fire,
the young OFFICER 'Iived Ave years In
an hour"
Years Of Routine.
I From the clUse of the civil war un-
til the opening Of the Spanish Amer
lean, the life Of the American naval
officer was made up of routine duty at
sea and ashore. During this period, the
future admiral cruised; taught class
ct Annapolis; surveyed lower Califor-s
mia and part of the west coast Of Mex
leo; carried supplies to the survivors
OF the siege OF Paris: performed duty
ovd or ~ fha
torpedo station at Newport; Inspected
and served as naval secre-
tary on the lighthouse board; spent
two years travelling on Q sick leave IN
search of health /: four years as chief
OF the bureau Of equipment; and at the
age of 50 was serving as president OF
the board Of inspection and survey
with the rank of commodore, 1t was In
this important naval office that hs
bresided at the trials Of all the battle
ships, except the Oregon. which were
to demolish the Spanish squadronfat at
Santiago.
Shortly after his return from Manila
bay, Admiral Dewey found himself In
the fire of popular criticism over the
"gift house Incident American citi-
gems had raised $4,000 by public SUBJ
scription az testimonial to the hero
of Manila and they presented him wltn
q house In Washington. Dewey. VINO
had been q widower since 1872, had
lust married Mrs. Mildred Mclean
Hazen, Of Washington, and ne turned
the gift house to her. Shortly after
ward the admiral and Mrs. Dewey left
the gift house and lived in the wife's
former home.
In 1900 Admiral Dewey was seriously
talked OF - candidate for the repub-
5Iican nominations q. president, but the
admiral preferre3 to-. remain IN the
naval ranks Rather than seek such
venture in craftsmanship. His ad-
mirers have sinceaoften spoken Of him
as the man who could have been q
president II he had wished. sEz
Controversy Long Continued.
4 Early in 1914 Admiral Dewey again
became conspicuous In the current
newsxby revival 81 the long standing,
with Adraisal vons Died
,ertchs fotsfhe GeAmsu s6a4sy regarding
rho condncts eof, i tie Gernans squadron,
during the blockade. OF Maniia bay, size,
teen years before In his autobio-
graphy Admiral Dewey criticized Won
Diederichs for failing to observe the
laws and told how q shot
was fred ACROSS the bows of one Of the
German ships to impress it with the
fact that the Americana havy had es-
,tablished q blockade ana would coun-
tenance NOS undue activity on the part
of tha German ships; suspected at the
time as friendly to Spain.
"a tSS@ -
ternational ,lgw had been adjusted" -
said Dewey. without adding to the
sum Of President McKinley''s worries"
Dewey was always great student
OF history; he knew every naval cam
paign that had been waged from the
days Of ancient Greece and Rome, had
anaiyzed them and knew why defeat
OF victory had come from certain
movements and this without doubt was
one Of the factors that contributed to
his own success in warfare.
One of the finest estimates Of Ad-
miral Dewey's character Is contained
in tribute rendered to him by his
:old-time shipmate, Admiral Sampson,
who was fighting the Spaniards in the
Capibbean while Dewey was lying in
Manila bay. resting on the laurels he
had won In the famous battle Of the
1st of May. Sampson said:
"The service knows Dewey as an
ideal head Of fleet. Perfectly cour-
ageous, of thoroughly balanced judg-
.ment, and quick Of decision, he has the
qualities which carry one to fame If
opportunity be- given. n The man and
the hour. fortunately came together
and the country is richer In another
brilliant page Of history and another
heroic figure. His career has given q
lofty impetus to the young which will
bear fruit In noble aspirations. He has
become one Of the most valued pos
sessions which nation. can have--a
national hero"