Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1926-07-04

i animated him from his boy
hood. When he was only 10
years old he went around the world,
fighting Filipinos on the way, daring
cholera and figuring in military ex-
petitions that followed Aguinaldo's
instruction. He has always taken
chances, and he took more on that
first journey than most people care
to take in their entire lives.
Byrd is a slight, wiry man, but
D., of much more powerful physique
than is apparent on the surface. He
has a keen, youthful face, lighted
by a smile that endears him to all
who know him. When he was II he
must have been an extremely good
looking lad, but small-which made
his travels all the more remarkable,
Tor in those days just following the
Spanish War, going about the world
was anything but the pleasure trip 1t
has since become. He travelled on an
Army transport and on British
tramp.
Tie now famous explorer doesn't
talk much about that first journey,
almost fights shy of 1t, in fact, for
fear of appearing a Horatio Alger
hero But, looking back he considers
1t to have been one of the greatest
events of his life. In a way it deter.
mined his entire career, for it gave
him love of the sea that led him into
the Navy and interested him in navi.
cation. His navigation on the trip to
and from the Pole was a remarkable
achievement. and could have been &C.
complished only by man who had
made a long study of the subject.
Byrd even invented instruments to
put into practice his thorough knowl-
edge of the science.
Saluted by Mckinley.
The trip to the Philippines came as
q result of his boyhood friendship
with Capt. Adam c. Carson, nick
named Kit, who entered the law office
of Byrd'S father in Winchester, Va,
and became the boys comrade. That
friendship has lasted to the present
day. CarSon'S Irish wit and bubbling
good spirits attracted Byrd, while the
youngsters enthusiastic search for
new things won CarSon's interest and
support.
When Carson came back from the
Spanish War young Byrd accompa-
MED him to the military camp at
which Carson's regiment was sta
toned. When President Mckinley
reviewed the American troops in
Washington Byrd was in the ranks
in a lieutenants uniform miles too
big for him. The President noticed
this youngster marching with all Sc
robustness near his friend Carson and
saluted him. But Byrd did not notice
the salute. and. seeing the smiles of
those on the side lines, was indignant
at the amusement he seemed to be
creating.
Shortly after that Carson went to
the Philippines. where he became a
circuit court judge. He wrote home
to his friend Dick to come out and
see an island empire in the making
Dicks mother did not think very
much of the plan, but when the boy
said he would run away if he did not
receive permission. he was told that
he might go. So the youngster made
his start from Washington to join the
transport Sumner at San Francisco.
His heart went down to his boots
when he babe his mother farewell. but
he bucked up under the excitement
of the journey west and had a glorious
time. That was in the Summer of
1902
The transport was crowded with
troops and officers with their wives
Dick wis a bit shaky when the ship
first left the Golden Gate. but after
those early tremors he was not sea-
sick a single mile of the trip. Just
before reaching Japan the ship ran
into a typhoon, the worst the captain
had ever seen. The ship ran up the
side of one wave and dropped on the
next with such force that everybody
thought she would break in two-all
but young Byrd, who was having the
time of his life.
Thought Storm Was Fun.
He thought it great fun, and the
plunging. groaning ship excited his
fancy, so that even now he can live
over again every minute he spent on
board. He even took care of some Of
the woman passengers, particularly
q school teacher, who was strapped
TO the bunk to prevent her from fall
ing out. Dick. clutching the edge of
transom to steady himself, held ice
to the unhappy woman's head.
Il thought that was a wonderful
>storm," Byrd said the other day. II
didn't know enough to be afraid"
They reached Nagasaki and went
ashore, most Of the passengers thank.
ful'to find solid land under their feet
again. Some had broken arms or
legs, the result of being pitched about.
DICK went eagerly exploring. He re-
calls seeing a Japanese rickshaw man
running wildly down a side street,
belabored by the umbrella Of an indig.
The journey was continued. and
when the transport reached Manila
Byrd was met by his friend Carson.
who hailed him with delight The
boy went ashore and started upon
probably the maddest adventures a
l2-year-old has ever had. The islands
were still seething with the effects of
instruction. Massacres We're not IN
common, and the bush was full of
Nnn0efI11
was to Sorsogon, where he lived with
Gov. Montreal. Here Judge carson
held court.
Fined by His Friend.
My first escapade got me arrest.
ed" Byrd recalled with a laugh.
THE judge had a punkah-a palm
With a string attached to it that led
down into the street, where a man
was usually stationed to pull it back
and forth to keep the flies off the
judge. l got hold of the punkah
string and worked it so vigorously
that I knocked plaster off the ceiling
and ruined the dignity of the court
Judge Carson ordered the arrest of
the person who did it, and although
ran like the dickens they caught me
Ind marched me solemnly back. Kit
Aidn't crack a smile, but fined me
coundly. which didn't mind at all.
because l had some of his money in
my pocket. This incident was not
mentioned by either of us until
twenty years later, when we had a
good laugh over it.
"A little while after that / had a
birthday party on October %. must
have been 10 years old. There were
roast pig and all sorts of delicious
things TO eat, and wine in a long