The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1898-12-28


it was purchased. Tt was simply marked
Morphine-Poison.''
The physicians are confident that the
young man had no thought of ending his
life. The circumstances, they contend do
not indicate elaboration in a single In
stance 1t is said that young Evans had on
several occasions before taken morphine to
quiet his nerves, and this was the time
when he got too much. The fact that he
intended going to work the following MORN
ing, borne out by his setting the alarm
clock, is not good evidence of suicidal mo-
tives.
In a Weakened Condition
The verdict of the physicians was that
in his weakened condition young Evans was
unable to throw off the effect of the power
full drug. He had been drinking for two
days and during that time had taken little,
if any food. In consequence, his system
was greatly run down, and it required but
a small dose of the drug to produce a
deadly effect Perhaps much less than it
would have taken to produce death when
he was in better condition.
His Father Looking After Him
Frank Evans spent the greater part of
Monday afternoon in his fathers office at
the city hall. Mayor Evans intended
spending the afternoon at home, but came
down town on Franks account The young
man was the least hayward, and as many
others during Christmas, had imbibed too
freely. Mayor Evans found him at the city
hall. Some one asked laughing1y, What
must we do with him?'
Lock him up the mayor replied, appre-
ciatng the joke and thinking he would
scare him.
This was about o'clock and the young
man was taken up stairs into the mayors
private office, which was closed to the pub
lie on account of Monday being a holiday.
A comfortable place was fixed for him to
lay down and here he slept for several
hours. The mayor kept close to the office
and looked in at intervals to see If he need
ed anything.
Il thought I would treat him more like
brother or a companion than a son." said
the mayor last night, with tears in his eyes.
When he awakened he appeared to be all
right except the natural nervousness re-
sulting from drink. He chatted pleasantly
with several friends who called, and to
none of them did he betray the least sign
of contemplating anything rash.
1t was about $3.50 o'clock when Mr..
Lallande made his daily visit to the city
hall to look at the book of orders kept by
the sanitofy inspector. Mayor Evans was
standing just in front of the office on the
sidewalk Greeting Mr.. Lallande, he re-
quested a cigarette, explaining that he did
not want it for himself, but for Frank who
had been drinking and was asleep upstairs.
Being a cigarette smoker, he thought he
might want one when he awakened. Mr..
Lallande did not have one, but stepped to
a nearby stand and purchased package.
When he returned Mayor Evans sent him
upstairs to arouse Frank. He told Mr..
Lallande to inform him that friend down
stairs desired to him. Mr.. Lallande did
so and offered the young man cigarette.
mo, thank you, I am done with those
things" his reply.
The two came on down stairs and met the
mayor.
Il caught you this time" said the mayor
smiling.
The three then talked pleasantly for a
few moments and the mayor and his son
went to Mr.. Bonner's in Eighteenth street
Mr.. Evans told Frank that he wanted him
to promise not to go out and drink any
more that night. The young man readily
agreed, saying that he had to resume work
in the morning and must get Strengthened
out. Mr.. Evans then went home.
Later he and Mrs. Evans were returning
home from church. Mr.. Evans suggested
that they go by Mr. Bonner's and see how
Frank was getting along. The mayor re-
piled that he did not think it was best to do
so because Frank might get the impress
sion that he was afraid to trust him and
was on the watch. The next he heard from
Frank was when he was awakened early
in the morning by John Evans.
Something of His Life
Frank Alfriend Evans had celebrated his
twenty-third birthday a week previous to
last Sunday, on the 18th. BY birth he was
a Georgian and was the eldest son. He was
well educated, big-hearted, liberal with his
friends and has held many positions of re-
sponsibility In Birmingham. He was a
leading member of the Jefferson Volunteers
which was known as Company G, while the
First Alabama regiment was in the service
of the United States. He was in the regi-
ment throughout its service and his certifl-
cate of honorable discharge now hangs In
neat white frame in the mayors Of
flee.
One of the beautiful characteristics of
the young mans life was his tenderness
and his affectionate disposition Never was
ness of his mother several years ago. She
was confined to her bed for some time be-
fore her death and for three weeks Frank |
did not leave the bedside. This sweet ex- |
ample of devotion to mother has often
been commented upon by the young mans
friends. Today new mound will be
reared beside the plot of green In Oak Hill |
cemetery and Frank Alfriend Evans, a de- |
voted son, will sleep the everlasting sleep !
beside his sainted mother.
The Mayor Frustrated
Mayor Evans remained at home all day |
yesterday, Frustrated with grief. He was |
totally unnerved by the shock and was I'M |
able to see many of his friends, numbered |
among them the aldermen and city off, |
Gals, who called to tender sympathy. The |
offices of the different city departments |
were closed and bunch of crepe hung on |
the big entrance door with the simple an |
nouncement of the death. Alderman Henry |
B. Gray is the acting mayor.
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