The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1892-09-30
MAJOR EVANS DEAD.
A Long And Honorable Life-RecOrd
Closed Monday Morning.
A Few Biographical Facts.


ing at his home in Garden City. is
noted in telegram published in an
other place. Sorrowing tears will be
shed in many households over the
county where the news of this event
is received, for the old Major was
loved and respected by hosts of friends,
especially among the older settlers,
and he was known throughout the
state.
The Major had for several years
been suffering decline in health and
it was felt by his near friends that the
end could not be postponed much
longer. His principal ailment was a
heart trouble, which had been mani
Testing itself frequently of late. About
the last act of the old getleman was to
introduce Hon. John Lind, who gave
the address at the fair Friday after
noon. He appeared to be in good
health and spirits at that time, but
when the speaker was about half
through. he arose and started to go
down from the stand, saying that he
must go home. He then called for water
and had to be supported by those pres
ent. A carriage was secured and he
was carried down and placed in it and
and driven home. He rallied, but
after supper had another attack of
weakness and fell to the floor, hurting
his head considerably. He was ten
DERBY nursed by his wife and daughter
and everything possible was done for
him. 1t was not then thought that
any serious results would follow. Fri
days attack is supposed to have been
caused by overwork in getting the
hoteI ready for the fair.
Major E. p. Evans was born Aug. 8,
1916, in Stafford county, New Hamp-
shire. He worked at farming and gen.
eral mercantile trade previous to 1S45,
at which date he went to Boston and
engaged in real estate business. Mr..
Evans bought the partly constructed
flour and saw mills at Watonwan, and
coming to Garden city in 1856, pro-
ceeded to complete them. He
built the hotel the same year
he was appointed postmaster,
and also commenced the mercantile
trade; his was the second store in the
place, but he only continued it two
years and in 1912 sold the mill proper
ty. He was appointed major of mill
Tia IN 1863 and had charge of the vol
unteer troops on the frontier. Mr..
Evans was brother of Mrs. Jewett,
who was murdered by the Sioux In
dians, and he was marshall of the day
in this city when the thirty-eight In
dams were executed
During the outbreak Maj. Evans Sc
cureda government appropriation to
purchase blood hounds to track the
Indians with, but they arrived from
the South too late for service.
Since residing in Garden City he
had held many offices and positions of
trust. He was married in 1889 to Miss
5. IL. Powers, who bore him four
children. George w. was the first to
enlist from this state, joining Mas
sachusetts regiment, he died in the
army. There are three children liv-
ing, e. B. Evans, Mrs. Josie Wood, of
Garden City, and a married daughter
in Dakota.
The deceased was strong Repub- |
llcan in politics, and was never more i
than at the opening of
the present campaign. He was one
OF those who organized a Republican |
club at Garden City this summer. He
voted for the first President Harrison.
and frequently expressed desire to
live to see his grandson, Benjamin
reelected. He was man
who made no enemies, and he was
liked by those of opposing political
faiths.
In the early days, Major Evans
hotel in Garden City was well patron
ICED, and was often filled with trav-
cling men. At that day the future
Oh Garden City looked bright OF late
years there has been little business
for hotel, except during the annual
Ialrs,and Major Evans recently moved
out of the hotel into a private resi-
ience, and new hotel has been start
ed. AS the old hotel is one of the old
landmarks of the county, so was Major
Evans landmark, and wherever he
went he found friends. He always at
tended Republican county, district
ana state conventions, generally of
ate as spectator. On all hands sor-
row is expressed at his death. and only
good words are heard concerning his
life. Many incidents could be told by
jhe older settlers, showing pleasing
traits of character. The Major used
10 take pleasure in recounting the
general attention which he attracted
When he returned to Boston dressed
n a western outfit, which well set off
lis tall form. No history
II this state or county will be com
olete without an honorable record of
lis services duripr Tho Tnd;or -