The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-07-04
DEATH OF JOHN EVANS
For OVER THIRTY YEARS ONE OF
COLORADO'S FOREMOST CITIZENS.
Appointed Governor of the Territory
in 1S62-A Resident of indianapolis
Over Half Century Ago.

DENVER, COL July 3;-John Evans, ex-
Governor of Colorado, died at 4:30 O'Clock
this afternoon, aged eighty-three: The
cause of death was a general breakdown
due to old age. For the past two years
Governor Evans has been confined to his
room, and for two weeks he has been rapid
~ sinking, having lost the power OF speech
John Evans was born in Waynesville, O.,
March 8, 1914, and was always noted for
a vigorous mentality. He was a pioneer
of Chicago, and laid the foundation
of the Northwestern University at
Evanston, H.. which was named
for him. and practically established
the public school system there. fighting in
the Council, Of which he was a member,
for large funds to carry out his plans In
Chicago he promoted the construction of
the Fort Wayne Railway, and it was due
to his personal activity that the line was
completed. Going to Denver he manifested
the same energy that characterized him in
the East, and built the first Methodist
Church Of any pretensions. He also en-
dowed the University of Denver, patterned
after the Northwestern, and became an
active railroad promoter, being interested
In the construction of the Kansas PACING,
and later the Denver q Fort Worth Rail-
way, and the Denver, LeadVille q Gunni-
son Railway. -Four years ago the venerable
ton of an airline railroad from Denver 20
Ell PaSo, Tex. but his health prevented it's
final organization. Within the past eight
years he constructed one of the most per
feet systems of electric railways in the
country in Denver-hs last great work.
When the Pacific roads were built Denver
was left off the line Mr.. Evans aroused
the people, and the connecting line from
the Union Pacific to Denver was con-
structed practically through his efforts.
Mr. Evans was one IT the delegates to
the convention which nominated Abraham
Lincoln for the presidency of the United
States, and was one of the "railsplitter's'
most loyal supporters. The position of
Governor of Washington Territory was
rendered to him when Mr.. Lincoln assumed
appointment of Governor of the. Territory
of Colorado was more acceptable, and
thither he went in 1851 He remained at
the head of affairs until President john
son came into control, and he was removed
through false stories circulated by his
enemies. MIR. Evans was twice elected
President Johnson nullified the election by
vetoing the bill making Colorado State.
Evanston,s name came about in a singu-
lar way. Mr.. Evans and his friend Bishop
Simpson went to the place in 1S4S and found
only few cottages and matched houses.
Mr.. Evans insisted that the village should
bear the divnes name, and the latter was
equally determined to honor his compan-
ion Evanston was finally agreed on as
the name, and it has borne it ever since.
The story of how DR.. Evans became a
Methodist is equally Interesting. He had
been a Quaker by birth, and his early i'm
pressions had served to make him theoreti-
cal in holy things. When he met Bishop
Simpson he was SO impressed by his words
that he Immediately joined his church. DR..
Evans's devotion to his religion and his
zeal in its cause have helped it in the
West. He founded Denver University with
a donation of 100000 and contributed large
ly to other institutions of the Methodist
creed
Mr. Evans was a resident of Indiana over
half a century ago. On the 18th of Jan
uary. 1915, he together with DR.. Livingston
Dunlap and James Blake were appointed
sane hospital, containing not to exceed 200
acres They selected a farm at Mount
Jackson, the home of Nathaniel and Sarah
T. Bolton, the poetess. The first building
was begun in 1886 and was finished the fol-
lowing year, at a cost of $4,000. This has
been added to from time to time until the
amount invested in buildings of the Central
Hospital for the Insane is nearly a million
dollars.