The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1867-04-18
FUNERAL OF THE LATE GEORGE EVANS.
sketch Of HIS PUBLIC sarvio0,.
B5'On The Boston Journal


thls afternoon for tnterment. They were accom-.
panied by large number OF relatives and
irlends OF the deceased. Amo ng the latter was
aelegauon OF the most noted and influential
citizens OF Portland, and a deputation repre-
sentng the Cumberland bar, portion of whom
acted as pall-bearers
Flags at hRl-mast and other emblems of
mourning were displayed IN Water street, as q
tribute to the memory of the distinguished dead. u.
Places OF business we're generally closed. The
remains were received at the depot by the city
authorities and large number OF citizens, who
had assembled to manifest their sorrow at the
loss of one whom 1t was their delight to honor
when he lived. Among those In attendance was
large delegation from Augusta and Hallowell,
who came In a special train generously provided
by President Rice, of the Portland and Keune-
bee Railroad Several suburban towns we're
also represented,
The remains we're escorted by a civic process.
sion to Christ Church, where the funeral ser.
vices of the Episcopal Church were read by
Rev. Mr.. McGrath, Rector OF the church. Ex.
Mayor James Nash acted as Chief Marshal
assisted by Major Bben Haley and l. w. Wood.
ward, who acted as aids. The procession moved
from the depot up Church street directly to the
church, wherein a large number of persons had
already assembled. The body OF the house.
which was reserved, was appropriated by the
family and friends of the deceased. Among
the latter we're observed Governor Chamberlain
ex Governor Cony, Ex-Governor Washburn Ad-
jutantGenersl Caldwell General Hodsdon,
Judge Weston, Judge Rice, ex-senator Brad.
bury, Congressman Blame, and Joseph IL VIII
liams, Esq, of Augusta, Judge Danforth, Mayor
Wilcox, and Lorenzo Clay, ESQ.,, of Gardiner
Gen. Shepley, Judge Howard, Phineas Barnes,
Esq. William l.. Putnam, Esq. tlaw partner OF
the deceased), of Portland, and members of the
bar generally, Leonard Wood, of Brunswick
Hon Bion Bradbury, Father Taylor of Far.
6eld, ETC.
Services in the church being over, the BODY
was taken to Oak Grove Cemetery, which CON
tains the family tomb of the deceased, where
the funeral solemnties were concluded, and the
remains deposited III their dnal resting-place on
earth. During the performance of the funeral
rites all the bells in the city were toled. Al
though the deceased was buried according TO
the rites OF the Episcopal Church, he was Uni
tartan IN his theological views, and was an
attendant upon that society in Portland.
special tram, rendered by President Rice, re-
turned the relatives and friends OF the deceased
at o'clock, 10 Portland.
do not propose to furnish an elaborate sketch
OF the history and character of Mr.. Evans. To
others who knew him better must fall the
grateful and pleasurabe tax. But in view of
the emnence he attained aud the respect he
commanded, particularly in this community,
wherein he passed the greater portion OF his
life cannot permit the opportunity to pass
without referring to some OF the more salient
features in his career, and In a more extended
manner than has already appeared in the Jour.
nal Mr.. Evans was born in the adjoining city
OF Hallowell, January H. 1897, and at the time
OF his death was 70 years and nearly months
OF age. After the usual preparatory academic
studies, he was matriculated at Bowdoin College
when lS years OF age. He was honored by that
Institution in 1S47 with the degree of LII. D.,
and at the period oil his death was one of It's
Oldest trustees. / would also state that from
the time OF his graduation he never failed to
pay visit to his At1nd Mater during commence
ment festivals. After leaving college ne de-
voted himself ito the study OF the law, to which
he gave three years OF close and dlligent appl-
cation. He then opened an office in Gardiner,
IN which place he lived for nearly half a cen.
tury, or until 1854, when he removed with his
family to Portland. Entering uDOn nrapticp he
began to rise rapidly into professional notice,
evincng those eminent talents which reelected
such lustre in maturer years.
The leading members OF the KennebeC bar
at that tune were Sprague, Williams Allen,
Boutelle, and Bond. He was chosen to the
State Legislature in 1925, serving as a member
of the lower branch for three years The last
year he was Speaker. The following year
(lS29) Peleg Sprague, who then represented the
KennebeC district in the lower House Of Con-
gress, was elected to the United States Senate.
Ruel Williams,hot Augusta (Democrat), and Mr..
Evans (Whig) were the two candidates brought
forward to ill the vacancy occasione1 by the
election OF Mr.. Sprague The contest by the
friends OF each candidate was one OF the
most exciting that ever took place in the dis
trict. Mr.. Evans was elected by about 200
majority. The vote was one OF the largest
ever polled. Augusta, Mr.. Williams place of
residence gave HIM ballot OF over 200 to
IL, while Gardiner, Mr.. Evans place of resi-
! dence threw nearly her entire vote tor HIM, he
RECEIVING 593 to 3. Hallowell also polled a
heavy vote Tor Mr.. Evans, but the up.river
towns went mostly Tor Mr.. Williams. Mr.. Evans
served in the National House OF Representatives
for six consecutive terms tor twelve years. and
was elected to serve seventh term, but did
not he having been honored by being chosen,
in l84l for full term of six years to the Senate
= Under President Taylor's administration he was
for a long time Chairman OF the Committee of
Finance, and also Chairman of the Commission
on Mexican claims. Subsequently he declined
A the Chargeship to Nicaragua, Commissioner on
California lands, and several other important
E trusts and posts OF high position, which were
pressed upon him to accept. In 1852 he was
elected Attorney General OF Maine, and held
the office three years. On the downfall of the
Whig party although he identified himself with
Democratic party, he withdrew trom public life
altogether deVoting himself up 10 the last mo-
ments of his fatal sickness to the practice of his
profession.
The career of Mr. Evans in the halls of Con-
gress not only redounded 10 the honor OF ms
i Constituents and to his native State, but to the
whole country. He was the peer of Clay,
Webster, Calhoun, and other great minds that
held conspicuous rank. Mr.. Webster re-
r. peatedly declared that MIR. Evans was second to
i no other man, and on one occasion he intro
duced him to an audience as the star in the
East" BETTING compliment He considered
his financial abilities of the highest order, and
surpassed by none not even Gal atm or CraW-
ford. Mr.. Evans speeches on the tariff and
IOther momentous questions which came up for
de bate while he was in Congress placed him
among the foremost statesmen. HIS clear and
forcible augmentation, his eloquent and
impassioned rhetoric, the Impressive
ness and sincerity of his manner, inspired
reverence and confidence not easily shaken,
He was a firm and steadiast irlend OF tDe Con
stitntion of the United States, aud the policy he
incuicated when on the stage OF action was thai
of a patriot. He clung with enthusiastic attach
ment to the landmarks OF the fathers, and tC
whatever measures he advocated he gave tint
SentiIe support of his cOnsummate ability, anC
mo one could distrust the sincerity and purity o
his motives. well TecOllect one occasion wheI