The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1897-11-20
The Details Of a
Remarkable Career
Rochester Democrat and Chronicle.


Americans have better reasons than
most of them suppose for thinking ar,I
speaking kindly of DR.. Thomas w. Ev-
ans, the famous dentist whose death in
ParlS occurred a few days ago. ... Ev-
ans has been known chiefly on account
Of his great wealth, estimated at be-
tween $20,O0O,000 and $4,000, 900; his init
mate association, professional and per-
sOnal, with most of the royal families
of Europe, and the assistance he rem
dtred the Empress Eugenie in making
her escape from Paris and France at the
fall of the empire. But 1t is not to be
supposed that DR.. Evans remarkable
career and success were due to a mere
spirit of toadyism and servility. He was
a typical American in all that the term
implies, in manliness and patriotism as
we'll as in energy, skill and shrewdness.
When he was a young man he was ad-
vised to go to Chicago to begin his ca
reer, and did make a journey, under the
discouraging conditions then existing, to
the young metropolis of the West. He
met Abraham Lincoln at Springfield on
that visit, but was not favorably i'm
pressed with the chicago outlook and
returned East.
He went to Paris In 1916 and soon
established his reputation there, finulng
his clients among the distinguished and
the wealthy This was chiefly due to the
skill he displayed in his work. It was
not long before his services as a dem
tist were required by the members of
all the royal families from Paris to St.
Petersburg. The close personal relations
established by his professional work were
confirmed by his tact and fine qualities
as man, and for fifty years he has
maintained his standing in the higher
circles of Europe, accommodating a vast
f}rtune and contributing generously Of
us wealth to every cause designed to inn
lHOVe society and relieve the suffering.
Mrs. Evans, his wife, was a noble and
accomplished lady to whom he was de-
votedly attached, They had no children,
and much of their time and efforts. as
well as their means, We're devoted to the
good of others. DR.. Evans wife found
ed, with the cooperation of her hus-
band, the Lafayette Home for. Young
American Women in Paris. This insti-
tuition was designed to furnish pleasant
quarters for the numerous young Amer
lean women who go to Paris TO study
art 1t is noble and beneficent institu-
tion. The rooms are rent free and only
a small sum is charged for board. Even
that Is not required in exceptionally de-
serving cases.
Despite his long residence in Paris Dr.
Evans always remained a loyal and pa
trotic American 1t is this feature of his
character and career which deserves spe-
cial mention. He was not one of those
VINO eXpatriate themselves i'm spirit as
well as in person. While he was in this
country few weeks ago he said that
during his absence from his native land
he had remained an American citizen
and loyal and earnest one" The En-
peror Louis Napoleon offered him a seat
| in the French senate and the post of an
| ambassador II he would renounce alleg-
| lance to our government and become a
citizen of France. These honors he de-
clined. 1t was his fortune to be per-
sonally or professionally associated with
some extraordinary historical events. We
have already referred TO his agency in
facilitating the flight of the Empress
Eugen!e from Paris in 1870 Another in
cident was his part in prolonging the
life OF Crown Prince Frederick when the
latter was dying from cancer of the
throat until after the death of the EN-
peror William. so that Frederick was en-
peror of Germany for thirty days, and his
wife is now the empress dowager He
was called in by the eminent profession
al men in charge of the case, and when
the operation of tracheotomy was per-
formed and the patient was In danger
of bleeding to death DR.. Evans pro-
posed and with his own hands made the
silver tube by means of which Frederick's 5
life was prolonged.