The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1898-01-30
SEATTLE PosTNTELLGENcER SUNDAY. JANUARY So

ing methedical, exact. ready and exceed
ingly rapid. he was an ideal clerk; was
never confused, was always right, aud
dispatched business In the most prompt
and expeditions manner.
From the first he took the greatest pos
sible interest in the history Of the North
Pacific coast, and particularly OF that OF
Washington. He wrote and rewrote his
matter, adding TO and changing 1t, giving
to this newspaper and to that. storing 1t
IN his mind and in his scrap books, gather
ing original documents and copies there
of, and adding TO his library every vol
ume he could get hold OF bearing upon
the subject. until he had . collection or
historical matter by long odds the most
extensive and complete in the territory
and state. Mr.. Evans was in early days a
Wing; later a Republican Washington
was Democratic untif after the civil war.
II he was inclined to enter politics the
way for a long time was practically closed
to him. In 1857 he could have had the
nomination for delegate to congress. Dur
ing his life. however. he was politically
honoYed on many occasions, being MEN,
Der OF the Olympia fewn council. OF both
branches Of the legislature, and being the
recipient OF a number OF appointive Of
fees. During and after the rebellion he
was secretary of the territory. and for
quite an extended period was acting gov
ernor. He was not an ofdceseeker.
though, but on the contrary. was one of
the few men whom the oftce generally
sought. He was frequently called judge.
but was never one, and would hardly have
made a good one. at least OF the criminal
court as he was too kind-hearted. too
charitable and too merciful to deal with
offenders as they deserve.
The pioneer newspapers were under
many obligations TO him. They could not
AFFORD TO hire editorial writers. A request
for help to Elwood Evans always set his
ready and graceful pen IN motion. He
could not say no to any one. and people
put their burdens upon him until at times
he had more than he could bear. He
was continually called upon for Fourth
OF July orations. for historical essays ana
works of that KIND. They were noted for
their elegance of dictiou and pleasing
character. as we'll as for their modesty,
truth and general value. He was quick
to give credit where it was due. and made
1t rule to say nothing rather than speak
Ill of another. There were but few OF
the first settlers who were not obligated
to him, and many OF them over and over
again. His manner was always CHEEKY.
and his greeting always cordial. He
knew everybody, and always seemed glad
to meet them.
Mr.. Evans was acting governor OF
Washington at the time OF the killing OF
=
proclamation setting apart the 18th OF
May as a day of humiliation and prayer.
and earnestly invoked Its due and general
observance Shortly after he was called
upon to deliver an Grafton at Portland on
the Fourth of July, 1856, in the course OF
which he addressed the spirit Of the Ia
mented Lincoln in the words following.
words peculiarly appropriate from one
earnest, honest and worthy as Evans him.
self:
Abraham Lincoln. No words Of mine
can add TO thy fame. No pen Of contem-
porary can give thy character so well as
in that immortal language which defined
the actuating motives. Surely. thou hadst
malice towards none In that big heart
Of thine every impulse welied up with
charity to ALL None more than thou
vast firm in the right, az God gaveSt
thee to see the right and none now doubt
how zealously thou wouldst have striven
to finish that great work to which thy
life was devoted How earnestly thou
wouldst have labored to bind up the ma
tions woulds. and cared for him who
should have borne the battle Thy best
monument il a country saved to grateful
millions. who will hereafter treasure IN
their deepest hearts memory OF thee.
Look down this day from thy heavenly
home upon thy fellow countrymen. Wit
ness their unspeakab!e gratitude for the
boons thy efforts restored and preserved
to them. and let the evidence OF their un-
alterable love be part of thy reward for
the labors OF thy life, devoted TO their
service. We would thou vert yet upon
earth. though it were willed otherwise.
But God disposes OF the events. and may
we fervently trust that thy death, though
1t plunged nation into intense mourn
ing and woe. was but additional to thy
undying glory and eternal fame"
THOMAS w. PROSCH.