, 1872-11-01
ALBERT &. EVANQ

~@s@- ~ 60b
OF the steamship Missouri brings one special
feature OF Sadness to TIE TRIBUNE and its read
ers. Colonel Albert S. Evans, Of San Francisco
tne brilliant, genial, and versatile 'sAltamonte,
OF our columns, is reported among the lost
Colonel Evans was for several years, prior to
1885, broker On Clark street, in this city, and
WILL be remembered by many Of our citizens.
With natural taste for literature and Journal
1sm, on seeking new home in San Francisco, he
made, aB an attache, and for years city editor Of
the A4a California, the press his profession.
On tho Pacific Coast, and throughout the coun-
try at large, there are few that had Won q better
reputation as descriptive writer, his most no.
ticeab1e papers being his contributions to the
Overland Monthly. He entered with zeal md in
telligence into all that pertained to the growth
and development Of his city and State, and from
his duties spared time to make the long series Of
'A1tamonte" letters themost valuable and remark
able OF any that have appeared from the elocalties
whence their facts were derived, comprising the
entire range Of the mining regions Of Califor-
mia, Nevada, Utah, Arizona, and New Mexico.
In the War Of the Rebellion, Colonel Evans was
an active and efficient officer On the staff Of the
Governor OF California, and did much to arouse
several years past he had been travelling exten-
aive1y in the great Southwestern interior. He
was one Of Governor Stewards suite in Mexico,
and his contributions to periodical and perma-
nent literature on Mexican topics have never
been surpassed in richness Of research and skill
full handling. Having won something more tam
gib1e than reputation from his busy life, he had
1atterly devoted himself more exclusively to the
tourist work that 80 we'll suited his adventurous
spirit. But few days ago, he sat among
the writer's in TEE TRIBUNE editorial rooms,
recounting some Of his later experiences, and
dwelling upon the features Of an extended tour
begun, but now so sadly ended. he was to visit
the West Indies, thence the Continent Of Eu-
rope, returning by Brazilian steamer to South
America, acting throughout as the correspondent
Of The TRIBUNE, where Ills scheme OF research
would have made . valuable addition to what is
known OF the earlier settlement and mining OF
the regions first visited by Spanish adgenturera.
Two or three gossipy letters from Eastern cities
have told our readers of his progress and fare
well to this country, and the telegraphic tidings
have brought the rest, and, probably, the end OF
all. Colonel Evans place in journalistic itera-
ture will not be easily filed. The sympathies Of
many personal friends, and OF the still wider
circle popular writer wins, will be given to his
berea7ed family in their stricken home in San
Francisco.
The following beautiful paragraphs from Col
onel Evans letter, bidding adieu to California,
published in our issue Of Oct. II, possess now
most touching interest:
I left San Francisco en- the morning Of Sunday
Sept. 15 The sky was it is at this season in
Gods thrice-fayored land, clear and unclouded and,
looked down the City and Bay Of San Francis-
co, from the sunn1nit Of Russian Hill, the view WIS
glorious one,-one that shall long remember. When
shall look upon 1t again7
The white deecy mist was rolling in through the
Golden Gate, filing the channel which leads up to the
broad bay Of San Francisco and the mournful tong
Of the fogben Of Alcatraz, like the deep pusatons Of
some great heart in its lonely agony produced e
ut such moment, strange and Raddening effect.
But before mo the magnificent landscape Of ALI
media and Contra Costa and the city at my feet beau
titled and gorided by the golden sunshine Of autumn;
and right before me, coming down, as 1t we're, On
Pathway OF flowers stretching out from the farther
shore, across the blue waves OF the bay, WAC the
steamer which coming to bear mo away from home
and friends, On journey into foreign 1ands and re-
gions strange and new. Beyond the mountains could
not see; backwards dared not look; God knows
what is before us all