The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1894-02-21

faction Among the People.
VISALIA, Cal. Feb. 19.-Chris Evans
| the train robber and outlaw who es-
! capped from Fresno jail a month ago, is
again in custody. 1t was discovered
! last night that he came into Nisalia
| from the mountains with his partner,
| Edward AIorrell, who assisted him to es-
! cape from Fresno Jail. and that the two
men were hidden IN Evans's house
here
officers surrounded the house early
! this morning. and few hours later
practically all the inhabitants of the
town were present. Evans recognized
the fact that escape was impossible, and
after brief negotiations with Sheriff Kay
| of this county he and AIorreu surren-
| dered. The town Of Visalia was thrown
into a state OF wild excitement by the
| news which was brought last night to the
| officials that the notorious bandits had
| come down from their mountain retreat
and were at Evans's house.
They arrived in town Saturday night
on foot. having left a horse and cart
| tied TO the fence at the ranch of Elijah
| Perkins, near the stone corral. As soon
as Sheriff Kay was informed Of this
posse of determined men was quickly
gathered and proceeded quietly TO
| Evaus's house. which they proceeded TO
surround and guard until daylight.
Men were stationed around the house so
as TO command it on all sides
The townspeople, many Of whom were
armed. came to the scene, drawn by
curiosity and when daylight broke
large portion Of the population of the
place was on the ground of the eX-
pccted battle. The news which brought
this excitement about was given by
man named Brighton, who is in the
employ of Marshal Gard. Brighton
cared fer Evans's house and children.
He was formerly a deputy marshal in
Arizona. lie and Gard arrived here at
o'clock this morning and Immediately
set TO work TO capture the outlaws.
An Excited Crowd.
As the outlines Of the house within
which the desperadoes were known to be
became visible in the grey dawn it was
closely watched by the excited crowd,
| but no one evinced a disposition TO ap-
! proach. il was clearly known from pre-
vious experience that Evans would shoot,
| and shoot to kill. It was conceded that
an attempt to capture the men by as
sauIting the house would surely result
in the death Of several of the posse.
Moreover, Chris Evanss children We're
| known TO be in the house and the Off
| GERS did not wish to start fight which
might result in the death or injury of
these innocent children. 1t was, how
ever the intention to storm the house
about noon if nothing occurred before
that time 1t was conceded that if the
attempt should be made some lives would
be lost. but the citizens We're determined
TO put an end TO the lawless career of
| these men,
At 9:15 this morning a messenger was
sent 70 the house with a note from Sher-
iff Kay advising the men 10 surrender
peaceably and telling them that they
would certainly be killed or captured:
that their escape was impossible This
messenger was compelled TO enter the
! house and was held as a hostage The
| messenger was a young man named Ben
son. Evans said To him when ne en-
tered.
"Ain't YOU taking great chances2 Now
YOU take these pistols and walk out
ahead of us when we get ready TO go"
benson was DdulN frightened.
Evuus's Brutal Attack.
When Evans saw armed men around
| the house and noted that Brighton had
not returned. he attacked Mrs. Brighton,
who was i'm the house, knocking her
down and kicking her. telling her To go
To- bed and stay there. He was only pre-
vented from killing the woman through
the Intervention of Morrell. who COM
manded him To desist The woman was
badly injured and in spasms Tor hours
and was badly bruised where kicked.
Last evening Evans told Mrs. Byrd
| that n would never be taken alive.
! when she reminded him that n was tax
ing great chances coming here. Evans
abused the Byrd family generally; said
George gave away the fact that he was
going TO escape from Fresno Jail and
caused him 10 be locked i'm a dark cell:
that Perry Byrd assisted i'm hunting him
and the Byrds We're a flock of buzzards
Mrs Byrd, Evans's mother-ln-law. says
he is crazy Last night he threatened
to kill his brother-in-law. George Byrd,
and was only prevented by the old lady
stepping between them. Mrs. Byrd says
she would have come out Of the house
this morning only she was afraid Evans
would kill her. as he threatened to do.
When Evans saw the house entirely sur
rounded he opened negotiations with Kay
70 surrender. Evdns's son carrying the
correspondence. Evans agreed 10 come
ont il Kay would disperse the crowd.
Then Evans came out on the porch un-
armed and Sheriff Kay and Under Sheriff
Hall went forward and shook hands with
him Brighton and his wife have been
living in Evans's house and caring for
the four little children Of Evans.
McII Armed.
Evans and Morrell. at the time of their
surrender. had two Winchester rifles and
pistols and plenty of ammunition. Mar
sbaI Gard says the man arrested with
Evans is Ed Martin. known here as Nor
ren: that he formerly ran a mcrry-go-
around with Fredericks, who is accused
of killing Sheriff Passeott of Nevada
county, MorreIl assisted in stealing arms