The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1894-02-20
BANDITS SURRENDER
Chris Evans and Edward MOrrell
Land in Prison Again.
California's Notorious Desperadoes Ven-
tured from Their Mountain Retreat
to the Formers Home in Visalia.

vISALIA Cal, Feb. 19.-Chris Evans, the
train robber and outlaw, who escaped from
Fresno jail a month ago, is again in GUS
tody. 1t was discovered last night that he
came into Visalia from the mountains with
his partner. Edward Morrell who assisted
him to escape 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 prac-
tically all the inhabitants of the town were
present Evans recognized the fact that es-
cape was impossible and after brief nego-
tiations with Sheriff Kay, of this county,
he and Morrell surrendered
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 nIar the stone corral AS soon as
Sheriff Kay was informed of this a posse
Of determined men was quickly gathered
and proceeded quietly to Evans'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 curios-
ity, and when daylight broke a large por-
ton of the population of the place was on
the ground of the expected battle The
news which brought this excitement about
was given by a man named Brighton, who
is in the employ of Marshal Gard. Brighton
cared for Evans's house and children He
was formerly deputy marshal in Arizona.
He and Gard arrived here at o'clock this
morning and Immediately set to work to
capture the outlaws.
AS the outlines of the house, within which
the desperadoes were known to be, became
visible III the gray dawn it was closely
watched by the excited crowd, but no one
evinced disposition to approach 1t was
clearly known from previous experience
that Evans would shoot and shoot to kill.
1t was conceded that an attempt to capture
the men by assaulting the house would
surely result in the death Of several Of the
posse. Moreover, Chris Evans's children
were known to be in the house. and the
officers did not wish to start a fight which
might result in the death or injury of these
innocent children. 1t was, however, the in
tention 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 cit
liens were determined TO put an end to
the lawlesS career Of these men.
a MESSENGER'S RISK.
At 915 this morning a messenger was sent
to the house With a note from Sheriff Kay
advising the men to surrender peaceably
and telling them that they would certainly
be either killed or captured-that their es-
cape was impossible. This messenger was
compelled to enter the house and was held
as hostage. The messenger was young
man named Benson. Evans said TO him
when he entered: Amt you taking great
walk out ahead of us when we get ready to
go." Benson was badly frightened. When
Evans saw armed men around the house
and saw that Brighton had not returned he
attacked Mrs. Brighton, who was in the
house, knocking her down and kicking her,
He was only prevented from killing the
woman through the Intervention Of Nor
rell, who commanded iIr ID him him to to desist: The
for hours, and was badly bruised where
kicked.
Last evening Evans told Mrs. Byrd that
he would never be taken alive, when she
reminded him that he was taking great
chances coming here Evans abused the
away the fact that he was going to es-
cape from Fresno jail. and caused him to
assisted in II hunting him and the Byrds
were flock Of buzZards. Mrs. Byrd, Ev
ans's mother-in-law, says he is crazy, Last
law, George Byrd, and was only prevented
by the old woman 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 threat
ened to do.
When Evans saw the house entirely sur
rounded he opened negotiations with Kay
to surrender. Evans's son carrying the cor
respondence. Evans agreed to come out
IL Kay would disperse the crowd. The Off
GERS GERS ordered I;1. all spectators to leave. which
porch unarmed and Sheriff Kay and Under
Sheriff Hall went forward and shook hands
with him. Evans and Morrell, at the time
of their surrender, had two Winchester RI
hes and pistols and plenty of ammunition.
Marshal Gard says the man arrested with
Evans Is Ed Martin, known here as Nor
rell; that he formerly ran merry-go-round
with Fredericks, who is accused of killing
Sheriff PaSscot, of Nevada county. Norrell
assisted IN stealing arms from a saloon in
this city and Fredericks took them TO Fol-
som prison for George Sontag. The bandits
are worn out. The officers have kept them
travelling, and they had to find some place
10 rest, and they took that chance here. The
citizens are very indignant at EYans's treat
ment OF Mrs Brighton, and If the prisoners
are not removed before morning they may
Fresno, came here Saturday, and his move
ments were watched Mrs. Evans was ex-
pected here in day or two by officers.
The ctf1cerS are reticent as To the dis
posed he VIII be spirited away to Fresno
tonight, where he will receive Immediate
sentence and be hurried TO State prison.
Evans refuses to be interviewed, and abused
| he simply says: Il am as happy as a
| clam" Morrell is more talkative and tells
| his story OF the recent encounter at Slick
| Rock. Evans looks very thin and pale. as