Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-12-29

MoGiffn Of the Imperial Navy, first in com.
mand Of that port He was the hero of ths
Japo- Chinese war lat what q cost to himself
only he could know. His courage and heroism
IN action, combating an enemy within as well
as without Threatened mutiny In the midst Of
the Fray had earned him recognition through
out the East. It was said that he fought the
decisive battle practically by himself.
But he paid for it with his life. So serious
were his wounds that it was not long before
McGimn'S flag was lowered while q nation
mourned. His own country had not called ON
him to serve, but he'd served his adopted coun-
try well.
Today he is remembered, with Lewis Nixon az
-one OF the most distinguished men of 49,"
Nixon is that genius Of academy days who
easily stood No. in his class throughout his
entire career and since has become one of the
foremost shipbuilders of the United States He
was respected for his brilliancy by his school,
mates; admired for his apparent lack of effort
in attaining the highest class goal and beloved
for his unfailing generosity In lending helping
hand to "the wooden section" It is said that
Nixon literally carried some Of his classmates
through the academy by the assistance which
he gave them in mathematics. HE always
seemed to have time to aid q classmate and
rarely seemed to find it necessary to study him
SeA ne was genius, say those who knew him
as q midshipman
Because of his unusual mathematical ability
ne was sent to the British School in Greenwich
following his academy course, where he easily
ouCdlStanced all competitors for honors He
then returned to this country and was the de-
signer of some Of our earlier battleships among
them the u. S. s. Massachusetts,. He later be.
came the head of shipbuilding firm in Eliza
BEETHOVEN, N. j. and has amasSed a great for.
through ~
mas built a number Of boats for foreign ma
tons; was at one time head of Tammany Hall.
and has held prominent positions in the gift
OF the New York City government Few men
who have received their training at the academy
have ever attained q position in the CONNER.
cial, political and financial world which out
rivals Nixons.
Among the academy "reminiscences that viii
go the rounds today when those middies Of
half century ago get together land they do
this In formal reunion at least once a year,
tnere are several concerning that same Philo
McGitnn Of later fame. In it's carefree happi.
ness McG1mn's life at the academy was in
sharp contrast to that which lay before him.
NO one was more popular, or more full Of
the Old Nick than MidShipman McGifin," one
OF his classmates recalls today. whenever q
Dit OF fun was in the wind, one might be sure
Chat Philo and his wife were not far from the
scene of action. During plebe days it was
customary to ride" the officers In charge OF
the middle" watches. some of the officers in
particular. All sorts Of pranks were played by
now dignifed and sober gentlemen. Upon one
occasion, remember, McGiffin and his ROOM
mate obtained or fell heir to O bottle of un-
certain contents. Even in the sos one could not
possess with impunity such articles if one
CHANGED to be q midshpman, you know. The
onlcer In charge discovered this "unmention-
able" bottled liquid in the absence of the lads
In question and took It to his ONCE. few
minutes later, returning to their room. the bows
their loss. They took council upon
ways and means Of recovering their property.
ne VINO was one day to become famous for his
strategy and resourcefullness in times of stress