The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1893-12-29
CHRIS EVANS BREAKS JAIL.
THE BANDIT FEES TO THE NOUN
ThINs HTTH ToHN IN PURSUIn

| The wife or the Notorious Western Out
law and Train Robber VISITS the Fresno
JAN with = Restaurant waiter Two
Pistols smureieI In Evans aud the
Waiter Force the Guard TO Open the
Door--Tho CI,y Marshal shot - Evan.
Escapes In n wnGon-An Engine in Pursuit.
FREsNo. Cal. Dec 2S.-Chris Evans. the
notorious train robber who de1ed the Cali
fornia authorities for over nine months In tho
Fresno Mountains. and was at last captured
after battle in which his companion. sontag
was fatally wounded. and he himself was
seriously injured. escaped this evening from
Jail and is now probably once more headed
for his mountain Businesses.
Evans lost an eye rs the result OF the fight
la the mountains with Marshal Cards posse.
He was convicted Of killing Vic Wilson.
one OF the many officers who pursued
him. and the jury fixed tho penalty
ut liio term in the state prison.
He appeared to take his sentence quietly. and
thus lulled all suspicious that no would make
any attempt to escape. lie also urged his
lawyers to demand a new trial. which he said
he was hopeful OF securing.
Evans was to have been sentenced on Jan. 4
for life. He succeeded in getting the help OF
waiter In restaurant, who seems to have
been impelled solely by desire to gain no.
toriety In assisting a desperate man.
Mrs Evans. who has remained faithful 10
her husband In ali his troubles cal ed as usua,
at the Jail to-day and was admitted to her hus-
bands cell. She probably told her husband Of
the walters intention to help him.
The guards declared that she struggled In
no arms. She came the last time just before
o'clock. and few minutes after the waiter
from Stppk'a In tvIf in
for the convicted man.
Evans was allowed to be out OF his cell In
the large Jail corridor. Mrs Evans and the
waiter were the only persons with him. the
door being locked by Jailer Scott. brother Of
the Sheriff. He happened to be the only on
Ger around. the rest having gone to dinner,
Mrs. Evans sat down with her husband. and
both appeared to be enjoying their meal
few minutes after the waiter called to Scott,
saying Evans had finished dinner and he
wished to take away the things. The jailer
entered and as he approached the table the
waiter drew new pistol and pointed It at him
The waiter pointed the gun at SCOTS heart
and said, Hold up your hands" The taller
thought 1t was joke. but he was paraly2ed
when Evans drew another ClitterinR pistol
from the dinner tray. where 1t had been con-
cealed by napkin.
That's all right. Der" said Evans Hold
UP your hands"
The taller succumbed and his keys
fell to the floor. As Evans drew the
gun Mrs. Evans tried to catch his arm,
as though she feared he would shoot Scott.
but he put her back with q sweep OF his hand,
never taking his eyes from Scott. Evans then
said in the loud voice he used from the outset
Let US out: We want to get out"
The Jailer picked up the keys and walked
backward down the stairs with Evans and the
waiter following. As both had guns. Scott was
powerless. Evans forced the jailer to let him
out the side entrance.
Once In the street the party was met by Ed
Mayer Cole The taller was walking along in
advance OF Evans very meekly. and the bandit
forced Cole to hold up his hands and to ac-
company them. Cole thought he had struck
gang OF footpadS. but he went along.
This queer procession was next met by City |
Morgan, who knew Evans at once. |
He tried to arrest the bandit but was
shot down. Evans then jumped into the |
delivery wagon OF the Fresno EIposiior
and disappeared northward. Morgan wasn't |
seriously hurt. but the pursuit was delayed |
some time by the audacity OF the robber. and |
he will probably make good his escape.
Citizens posses are organizing and starting |
In every direction. Mrs. Evans Is In Jail locked |
up. 1t is thought that Evans was met by some |
Of his friends on the outskirts OF town.
Jack Barrett, one Of the city policemen left a
few minutes later with the police on horseback,
with the object Of heading Evans of from
SAmpons's Flat. his old fighting ground.
special engine will take the posse to Reedleyto
watch the head Of Squaw Valley.