The Evening critic. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1881-1885, 1881-12-26

Sudden Death Of John O. Evan.

Tho community was shocked bytho aunouncs-
ment In yesterdays papers OF the serious Ill
ness OF Mr.. John o. Evans, so well known and
go greatly respected In this city, and q deer
and sincere grief fell upon his many friends
whoa, two hours later, dispatcher were re.
ceived conveying the cad Intelligence OF his
death. Tho circumstances surrounding his
death arc such as 10 excite peculiar Interest
and sympathy. During recent business visit
to Chicago he contracted severe cold, which
in n few days eliminated In Inflammation OF
tho bowels. He seemed TO rally. however, and
so late os Thursday last was At work upon
matters connected with the Mutual Union Tele-
dent.
He had made every preparation to go FL day
u his birthplace ut Fayetteville, N. Y, where.
at the residence OF his father and brother, DR..
ID. s. Evans, who occupies the homestead, they
were to have grand family reunion on Christ
mas day. Several intimate friends In WASH
ington had been invited, and they intended
leaving yesterday. Some OF them did leave yes.
terday, but instead OF meeting their genial
and hospitablc friond they Will perform the
SAD duty OF accompanying tho c)ld clay tene-
last restiDg-place by the home which 1T was
expected would resound with mirth and the
pleasantries incident to the holiday season.
His death occurred ut the Gilsey Hose, Nsw
York, at half-past oclock yc ,terday MOI ptng
In the doth year OF his age.
MIR. Evans, mary years, ago, was largely
luentlIlcu Win lnc lunDef business nero. he
severed his connection with this however, and
during the improvement era undertook large
contra ts. These, and profitable Investments
In real estate, were the main sources OF his
wealth. He owned great many houses here
notably row on Vermont avenue, betwe On
and / streets, another on l. street betwc IN
Fourteenth street and Vermont avenue, end
tho building ON New York avenue known
the Evans building. During the past yea, ho
has spent most Of his time in New York eli y,
having been elected some time since to the
presidency of the Mutual Union Telegraph
Company, of which institution he was one OF
the incOrrorGtor5. He was one OF the founders
OF the Arlington Insurance Company, and was
also connected with the Wpshington Brick
Machine Company. Ho became an incorror
ator In the Columbian Bank-Note Company at
the time Of Its reorganization, and was a di.
rector In It at the time OF his death.
About year and a-half ago, Mr.. Evans con.
ceived the idea OF building telegraph lines for
tho purpose OF leasing them % firms and fndi-
viduals, and after building o nd leasing num-
ber in this way, the company with which he
would be wise to extend their operations to
the telegraph business generally throughout
the country. To that end the extension o.
their lines to the principal cities was begun
In May last, and tho formal opening of tho
company tho MutuaDwos announced last Tues
day. TO Mr.. Evars' personal enterprise, and
his faculty OF inspiring those connected with
him with vfgor and confidence, IS due the
rapidity with which tho lines have been
pushed TO their present extensive limits. His
loss is q deplorable one, and Will be deeply re-
GREETED, not only by the company, but by his
mouy friends throughout tho country.