The Black Hills union. [volume] (Rapid City, Pennington County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1889-1904, 1898-06-24
BOB'S WIFE.
Mrs. Evans Comes From a Family
OF Fighters.


Mrs. Evans was born and raised in
Washington, in an atmosphere which
fostered her innate patriotism. The
Taylors were we'll known in all the
heterogeneous circles which go to make
up what is known as Washington So
ciety. Her father for years was the
proprietor of a book store on Pennsyl-
vania avenue and numbered among his
friends and acquaintance the brightest
minds of the nations capital. He was
a scholarly man, a lover of books and
a keen student of human nature.
Old Mr.. aylor was an intense union
man. AS a matter of fact, he pur-
chased the first 500 BOND issued by the
government in Connection with the civil
war, standing in front of the treasury
building all night long that he might
enter first when the doors were open.
This bond, appropriately framed, is now
among the dearest possessions of Mrs.
Evans and occupies a place of honor
on the walls Of the cottage at Fortress
Monroe.
Harry aylor and Bob" Evans were
boys together in Washington forty-fve
of fifty years ago. They went to school
together and played hockey together.
They were ~inseparable until the age
was reached when boys begin to AXE
notice of the fair sex, and then Bob
began to cast Sleeps eyes at Harry's
pretty sister. 1t is a practice which
he has never outgrown. He does it
yet.
The boys were both appointed to the
naval academy at the same time, Sep
TENDER, 1860. Then the civil war broke
out. Both were eager to fight. Their
studies were neglected. When they
should have been fast asleep they were
whispering to each other what they
would do if they only had the chance.
And the chance finally came. At the
end of three years both left the aca-
DENY and were ordered to duty with
squadrons operating along the southern
coast, and their dreams were at last
realized. Both saw service, and both
profited by their experience.
Among other fights, Evans figured in
both attacks on Fort Fisher. In the
last battle he received two severe
Wounds and was relegated to the hos
pital. The surgeons examined his leg.
1T will have to amputated," they said.
That didn't suit young Evans. He
concluded that he still had some use
for that leg, and determined to assert
his proprietary rights. Through some
means or other he secured a big navy
pistol, and when the surgeons came
back with their instruments he was
ready for them. One hand was hang
ing down behind his cot.
What are o going to do?" he
asked.
I'm afraid we shall nave to amputate
your leg" replied the chief surgeon,
reaching for his instruments.
Like a flash young Evans right arm
came into view, and the saWbOnes Jul
himself gazing into the muzzle Of an
ugly looking pistol.
Drop that knife. d your ex-
claimed the patient.
The order was Obeyed.
"Now, I just want word with you
fellows" continued young Evans. THAT
leg doesn't come off. Do you under
stand? The first one of you who makes
a move to take it off will get a load
Of lead."
INC he carried the day. The leg
didn't come off. It knit rapidly, and the
wounds healed under proper treatment.
He carries a limp to this day, but he
saved his leg, and that's the main
thing.
AS is natural to suppose, Evans mar
ried his chum's sister, the sweetheart Of
his boyhood days. Maybe he was hink-
ing of her when he saved his leg. An
other Of Taylor's sisters married Fred
.erick Mcguire, a wealthy merchant and
capitalist, of Washington. and to even
matters up Taylor turned around and
married Maguire's sister. He wasn't to
be outdone.
Captain Evans and his wife have
three children. The eldest, Charlotte,
was married a short time ago to Lieu
enant Charles c. Marsh, who is now
with Admiral Sampson on the New
York, and the other daughter, Virginia,
is still single. Frank, the only son,
was graduated from the naval academy
this year, and is now serving on the
Massachusetts. Both the daughters,
as 1 have said before, together with
fLoir on11Cin tho 1or1ohfoN Nf ~ rto{~ |
Taylor, are studying to be nurses.
While Mrs. Evans has a due appre-
citation of her husbands value as a
laval man she doesn't lose sight of the
fact that he Is not the only one. Those
misguided persons who wish to fatter
her by repeated illusions to Captain
Evans reputation and position are
often nonplussed by her demand. to
know what is the matter with brother
Harry?' And sometimes she will ring
the changes by illusions to the other
fighting men of her family.
The cottage at Fortress Monroe was
built when Captain Evans was on duty
with the lighthouse board. 1t was
constructed by permission of the treas
ury department on the reservation con-
trolled by that department as a buoy
and light station. Subsequently he had
some difficulty with the gentleman who
was secretary Of the navy at that time.
The latter, in order to crafty his per-
:sonal feeling in the matter, induced the
treasury department to direct the re-
moval of the house.
This aroused the fighting blood of
Captain Evans, and, moreover, his sus-
picions were aroused as to whether the
cottage came within the scope of the
department. He requested a resurvey
and founr that his suspicious were cor
rect. Greatly to his delight he dis