Kansas City daily journal., 1897-02-07
CITY MARSHAL HULsE, OF ISDE-
PENDENCE, SHOOTS C. EVANS.
HE WAS FORCED TO SHOOT.
EVANS WAS BELABORING THE MAR
sHAL WITH A HEAVY CLUB.
1t Was Either "KiH or Be Killed,
and the Officer Steadicd His
Weapon md Sent n Bullet
Into Evans Heart
Local Crime.

4 bullet from the revolver of the CITY
marshal OF Independence terminated the
career of an od-time bad man yesterday.
Charles Evans had just uttered an oath
to give emphasis to his declaration that no
man could kill him, and the city marshal
tarped him on the shoulder and warned
him to not use profanity on the streets or
Independence. The marshal and Evans
were standing on the sidewalk in front OF
the Court House Exchange saloon. Sew
eral men were idling near. The street was
filed with teams belonging to farmers,
who had come to town to attend q mass
meeting to utter a formal protest against
increased taxation. Evans was known as
Il bad man, with grudge against human
ity, and when he appeared on the streets
people looked for trouble. They prepared
for II when the marshal touched Evans
shoulder.
No damned Yankee can kill me-" boast-
ed Evans to ''Zan" Harris, who had just
remarked: We'll, 1 see you are still alive,
Evans"
Charley. you must not talk that way on
the Streets" said Marshal Mel Hulse.
"Oh, mustn't. mustn't u" shouted Ev-
ans in rage. Since when did this town
become so blamed tony that man can't
swear in the streets? I'll break your
neck" and Evans ponderous right fsr
swung viciously at the marshals head.
Hulse carried walking stick. and he
warded OF the blow aimed at him. Evans
face was flushed with rage and he sprang
upon the marshall, raining blows upon him.
He grabbed the marshals walkingstick and
was soon belaboring Hulse over the head
with ii. The marshal tried to escape the
shower OF blows that fell upon him, but
Evans was powerful man. and he piled
Welts began to show where the stick had
fallen. Evans was Wild witlt rage. He
cursed as he swung the stick and swore
he would beat the marshal into the ground:
A crowd gathered TO watch the progress OK
the fight, but no one tried to go to the
marshars assistance.
Hulse was getting the worst Of the en-
counter and he reached for his revolver.
There was determined look in his eyes
that plainly said: q. It's his life or mine"
Hulse called out TO Evans, warning him.
but no heed was paid TO it. Then the CLINT
of a steel barrel flashed. Evans saw il,
but, in the wildness OF his rage, he dis
regarded the warning shout OF the wit
neSses and kept whacking away at the
marshal. Hulse steadisd his revolver until
the barrel was on level with Evans
heart. The men were only a few feet
apart. A shout went up from the specta-
tors. and Evans leaped forward 10 close in
on the marshal. who pressed his finger TO
the trigger and bullet passed through
Evans heart. He dropped to the sidewalk
with groan and died without speaking.
The marshal looked for a moment at the
body of the man who few moments be-
he walked across the street TO the court
house and handed his weapon to Deputy
County Marshal Potts. who. under instruc-
tion of the coroner. did not place him IN
dr. arrest but told him to proceed "a
usual in the discharge Of his duties
In death the right hand OF Evans held
firmly the stick with which he had tried 70
beat out the marshal's brains His body
was taken 10 an undertaker's-
Charles Evans was a typical bad man:
he was bar room fighter. IN whisky or
hFAF NErN ~~rNvT
and men feared his fists when ne showed
himself on the streets OF the quiet little
town of Independence. He was usually
searching for provocation 10 start 4
night Once he reaped a rich reward for
brutal act Logan Whaley. a newsboy.
had asked him the time of day. He
were a good many prisoners in the Jail.
among them prize fighter. Evans bullied
the prisoners without open resentment
until he came to the prize fighter, who re-
sented his kicks and cuffs with a right
hand swing that Jared Evans back teeth.
With a whoop OF rage and pleasure Evans
oners crouched around the Jail to watch
the fight. Evans cracked his fists together
and struck out madly at the air Then
the pugilist went to work on his features
with Evans his own mother would not
have recognized him in the broad light
of noon. He was sight to behold and tho
prisoners enjoyed it TO their hearts con-
tent.
They tell many stories Of brutality about
the dead man. They are of bar room
hrawls and of street encounters. No one
has come forward to tell of kindly deed
ever done by the dead man during his en-
Uttered life. Evans was the son of q
wealthy farmer named barton Evans who
died several years ago. leaving each OF his
children Il snug sum- The man who was
killed yesterday allowed the money TO burn
his fingers and II soon left him.
Evans was subject to epileptic fits, and
for long time was at the poor farm Yes
terday about an hour before Evans was
killed. the county court in this city made
an order that he be sent away from the
poor farm to save the county the expense
of keeping him.
Marshal Mel Hulse. who put an end to
Evans career. is one of the bravest and
best officers in the state. He Is man OF
nerve CoOlheaded and careful. His friends
do not believe he would have used his re-
volver unless his life was in imminent dan
ger. An inquest will be held tomorrow
over Evans body.