El Paso daily herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1881-1901, 1897-08-31

Judge Andrew j. Evans, for twenty
years the federal district attorney for
the Texas western district and long a
dom nant figure in the republican
ranks of this state, died early Saturday
morning at San Antonio at the age of
% years.
He only succumbed to death after q
long period Of suffering, which con-
stantly increased, but was not allowed
o hinder him in his notable career.
A chronic bowel complaint with
which he had b en- afflicted for thir' y
five years brought about liberation of
the bowels and finally terminated in
exhausted vitality and heart failure.
His demise took place at shortly af-
ter o'clock Saturday morning at his
residence at 300 West Poplar street.
He was attended by his daughter and
son-inlaw, Mr.. and Mrs. E. l.. Rugg,
of Alvin. He has been very low since
the first part of last May and Mrs.
Rugg has been in the city ever since
then devoting all her care to him. Mr..
Rugg arrived here about ten days ago.
The deceased leaves one Other daugh-
Ter, Mrs. w. p. Beaumont, of Waco.
He had two sons, Sydney and Waddle,
but they have both been dead several
years. The first named was killed In a
railrt ad accident at Waco ard the lat
Ter O1SQ
Judge Evans had been married three
times ana his last wife precededhim to
the grave some time since.
The remains will he inferred at
Waco, the old home of the Evans ia
mily. They were shipped at O'Clock
last night, accompanied by Mr.. and
Mrs. Rugg.
JUDGE EVANS CAREER.
Judge Jack" Evans, as he was
known throughout the state, was born
was of age he went to Mississippi
and secured special license to prac-
tice law.
He came to Texas shortly afterward,
in 1852, and settled in Waco. He made
rapid progress in his profession.
He was an ardent republican in
politics and during the period of fierce
controversy just preceding the civil
war fought strongly against secession
and achieved considerable prominence
n politics even then.
When the days of reconstruction came
be took a leading part in the stirring
political episodes that followed each
other in rapid succession, and. soon
became enc of the leaders in the re-
publican ranks, welding great in
fiuence and power. He was a member
of the reconstruction convention and
was a member of the legislature from
McLennan county for several terms.
He also held the Office of district
Judge of the Waco district for some
years.
He was an extremist in his adherence
to the prime pies that animated the re-
publican party in its conduct of public
aft airs in Texas during the RECONSTRUCT
ton era ard his radicalism waned but
little in the passing years.
He achieved his position of inf1ue nee
she er force of his great natural ability
by and his indomita BILE will power, hav-
ing pone o. the instincts of the demago
que and making little effort to win popu
lar favor. He was aunch and upright ir
character, but there was geniality in
| his make up and his view of life was fal
| from optimistic.
In recognition of his services to the
republican party, he was appointed dis
| trict attorney for the western distric
of Texas under Grants second ad
ninistration and held the office contin
uously under all the succeeding re
publican presidents until Cleveland
was elected, period of twent.
years.
He entered on the duties of this Office
with remarkable zeal, which peve
tagged. He was stern and severe il
his dealings with the lawbreakers ant
prosecuted them unre' entingly.
AS politician and as district at
.orney he became famous not only il
the state, but in the ranks of the Re
publican party throughout tn
nation.
He moved to San Antonio fourier
years ago, and when he finally give u
his office he settled 4 here for good
spending his last days in retirement