The morning call., 1893-04-24
SAW EVANS RUN.
How the Famous Outlaw
Turned and Fled.
Educated for the Priesthood Evans
Ran Away and Joined the Army,
Serving Under Sherman.

James Evans, prominent citizen and
capitalist Of Visalia, was in town yester-
day.
Evans spells his name the same as the
famous freebooter now hiding within the
receSses of Sampson Flats, but he is no re-
latiOn whatever, though he knows Chris
Evans as well as any man living. Speaking
yesterday of the latest phase of the situa-
ton and the ludicrous failure of Sheriff
Kay TO capture the robbers when he had
them In his power for whole day, Mr.
Evans said:
''Why, never heard of such a horrible
botching up of affairs. The idea Of a Sheriff
being notified at 10 O'clock In the morning
that the TWO robbers had actually Yeutured
within their own home in town. and were
there eating pleasant dinner with their
families, and yet making no better attempt
TO catch them than they did. The Sheriff
with his game IN his hands waited the whole
day, and then secured eight men, when he
should have had nifty around with rifles.
Then about dusk he and his little band
crept up TO the house, and the Sheriff sta
toned his men about where they could do
the least good. Finally the robbers ap-
peared, after having discussed a fine din
ner. got into buggy and rode off laughing,
while the eight men shot away at the neon.
And all this IN the town of VIsalia and in
broad daylight.
Il tell you the citizens are very indignant
at this failure to capture Sontag and
Evans. Sheriff Kay could easily have got
fifty men in an hour II he wanted them.
But he did not try. 1t is untrue that the
citizens do not want the robbers captured.
That is reflection On the town. They do
wish to see them IN custody. They have an
idea that the Sheriff is afraid of the robbers
and that Is why he made Ootch OF c9ptuT-
ing them. II certainly looks that way.
What the Sheriff should have done i'm
medately on hearing the news that Sontag
and Evans were in Exams house was to
have secured at least fifty men and sur
rounded the house. There would have been
plenty of protection for the men from ada
cent trees and enclosures. Then the
mother of Evans. who lives in the town, or
one of his wife's relatives should have been
cent up 10 the house to tell the woman folks
TO leave the house OF they must take the
consequences Then the robbers should
have been asked through the same means
to surrender, and, If they did not fusii-
lade of shot should have been poured at the
building until they were killed. / would
have blown up the building with dynamite
II necessary, but l would have caught those
robbers Gagged up there either dead or
alive"
Mr.. Evans was asked II he knew much of
the personal history of Chris Evans, she
robber, or any facts relating TO him that
had not beer published.
81 know many things about him, for in
early days we teamed together and he made
me acquainted with many Of his person al
experiences that never have been told.
For instance it is not known that Evans
Is well-educated man. nor that at one
time he studied for the priesthood. Yet
such is the feet. While riding on Oul teams
he used to surprise me by his knowledge Of
things. and his language was something far
beyond all other men in the vicinity. He
told me he was born in Canada, that he
attended college in Quebec and that his
parents desired him TO become n priest. He
submitted to their dictatIOn quite a whilr
but finally his rowing disposition got the
best Of him and he ran away. After leaving
Canada he drift ed West, but returned East
on the outbreak OF the war. 1t is not gen.
orally known that Evans was q soldier.
Yes, he served his country. He was in
Shermsn's army and marched to the sea.
II remember one story lie used 10 tell of
Sherman's kindness lie had been detailed
to guard SheTman's tent, and during the
night lie and another guard stole a bottle
of whisky from the tent As it was the
only bottle Sherman missed ii, and COM
planned TO the captain of the guard. The
captain could not discover the culprit, and
as a puns hment tied up the " hole guard to
the wagon and made them follow behind.
They suffered good deal Tor long while
Finally Sherman rode by, and seeing the
men tied up asked what was the matter.
They stole your whisky, general" said
the captain.
rs that alp Well. unloose them right
away. l merely meant that you should
have given them lecture"
you ask me what think of Evans? I
tell you If he meets a man who will stand
uD with him he willlfall. | have seen Chris
Evans turn and run. This was wears ago.
The man who made him run was fellow
named Haddock. HaddOck got the drop on
him and Evans turned and busted like
lightning. l saw him almost an hour after
ward and he was as pale as death and very
excited. You know lie always closes one
eve while speaking. This day that eve was
wide open and he was or the lookout.
II believe that Chris Evans will show fear
like any ordinary man. Every body now
appears to be afraid Of him up in the noun
talns ald he is trading on their fears, but
if he meets the right kind Of a foe be will
turn and run. or else die in his boots like
any BODY else"
MI Evans stated that he had only met
SOntag several times and knew very little
Of him