Daily Kennebec journal., 1883-12-07
"Reminiscences Of George Evan,' Widow

There resides in this city, the relic of Hon.
George Evans, one of the most eminent men
the State of Maine has ever produced. who
died in 1867. Mrs Evans is one of the old
school, and it was only few days ago that
she celebrated her 92d birthday. She is so
years younger than she really is. She dress
es in black and moves about with elastic step
Her mind seemingly is as clear and vigorous
as it ever was. She is fond of playing
whist as ever, and can play as good hand as
she did when her distinguished husband was
winning his laurels a statesman and debater
during his Is years in Congress. Mrs Evans is
brim full of Washington "reminiscences.
She takes great pleasure in talking about
Webster, Clay, Calhoun, Critic nden, Benton,
Silas Wright and other great men who were
in Congress at the time her husband was,
the like of which have never been seen since
in the national halls of legislation. Webster,
the .sAchiles of the Senate" she never tires
of talking about, and il is her delight to re-
fer to the cordial and intimate relation that
existed between her husband and Mr. Web
ster. Probably there never were two public
men whose attachment and confidence in each
other were greater than theirs.
Mrs Evans has an album containing the
autographs of the distinguished men con-
temporaneous with her husband, and she
shows iondness in exhibiting il to her friends
and acquaintances. The venerable lady new
er calls ones attention to Webster's sign
manuel in the collection but that she speaks
of him in terms of commentator, and will
tell you with what uuapproachable dignity
he would pay her his respects as well as
offers.
-. tI,,t
Webster and Mr.. Evans were together on a
public occasion after the latter had re-
tired from public life and was devoting him.
self to the practice of law, in which profes-
sion. as is well knoyn, he became great as
he did when enjoying Congressional honors.
The occasion was when the citizens of Ken
nebec county gave magnificent banquet to
Mr.. Webster at the ins,igation Of Mr.. Evans,
both at that time attending the United States
Court at Wiscasset The honors conferred
on Mr. Webster took pl ce at Hallowell hen
he was in the zenith of his fame by his me
morable reply to Haynes of South Carolina
Mr. Evans presided at the dinner, and a
more eloquent and able speech Of welcome,
it is said, was never made. Ii was IA an
orator that Mr.. Evans had great gifts
President Polk, during his witt to
Maine, said to a gentleman afterward that, in
his whole tour through the country, the most
eloquent and courteous address that he had
received was that made by Mr.. Evans, when
he visited Gardiner. where the hospitalities
of the place had been extended him. Mrs.
Evans says that her husband never prepared
congressional speech for newspaper,
neither would he ever look at the proof OF
one when it was reported. He never wrote
out one of his numerous political speeches.
When he delivered them he relied upon tine
ipspirstion of the moment Mr. Evans left a
small property, which. with an income from
another source, gives a comfortable support
to the widow of Maine's greatest statesman,
her daughter, Mrs. Laly, and u grandchild,
a pleasing young lady, who is reigning
belle.