New-York tribune., 1901-03-01
SKETCH Of HIS CAREER.

william Maxwell Evarts was born in Boston on
February g. Igs He came Of sturdy Puritan stock
tracing MS ancestry back 10 the early days Of New
England His father, jeremiah Evarts. who
me Of the most rrenchant and influential religious
writer's of his day, born in Sunderland, VT, on
Februarv g ISL and early his sixth year
distinguished for industry, faithfulness and love OF
tooks When less than three years old reading was
his favorite amusement and in his fifth year when
herring for new book he assured his father that
te had read all the senoe' out of his old one
In his eighteenth year jeremiah Evarts entered
vale College where he pursued successful career.
A wear after his graduation he married. in 1904.
Mrs Nehitabel Barnes. a daughter of Roger Sher-
man one Of the signers of the Declaration Of Tnde
pendence.
In 1906 he was admitted to the bar in New-Iaven,
hut he soon showed more aptness and a stronger
liking for the editors desk than for the practice of
TIE law and at the age of twenty-nine he do
ing vigorous work the Editor of THE Panoplst'
religious Journal published in Boston. That city
thenceforth was his home. When his William
n was born ne had been acting for number of
wears as the treasurer Of the American Board OF
Commissioners for Foreign Missions. and in 1921 he
became the corresponding secretary. Subsequently
"The Panopist' was merged into THE Missionary
Herald" and he continued 10 be its editor Foreign
end home missions were in fact. subjects in which
jeremiah Evarts felt the deepest interest and many
Of his best writings were upon these topics The
Rights Of Indians the title Of twenty-four OF
his ESSAYS which attracted wide attention. Jere-
rnah Evarts is said 10 have been OF decisive char
scter but genial and entertaining in the social or
domestic circle.
thus passed in an atmosphere Of literary and
ligious culture that had lasting effect upon his
developing character. As a boy he in
very robust health. and the fondness which he
showed for his books threatened to endanger his
health still more But his long lived ancestors had
boo, ha6 endurance and
persistent work that would not have thought
possible judging from his slight attenuated form
Bnd delicate features.
HIS SCHOOL LIFE.
When five years old he attended a primary school
in his native city. Later ne went 10 ward school
for two or three years. and at the age of ten he
entered the famous Boston Latin School 1t was
matter Of regret him later in life that he was
not graduated from the Latin School, of which
Mr Leverett was the master when young Evarts,
then known as Billy Evarts, entered IT. When
Nr. Leverett started q school of his own he took
his promising pupil with him, free Of charge, and
thus Evarts failed TO win the Franklin medal of
fhe Latin school. Speaking Of this period of his
,fe many years later Mr.. Evarts said: My life at
school was a very happy I know nothing
more regular. moro scholarly and in school days
more completely limited 70 learning and reciting
lessons. AS far as / can recollect there was very
little thought Of influence over the scholars behind
Although living in Boston when he completed
his preparation for college, young Eyarts in ac-
oordance with his fathers wish, went 10 Yale, in
stead Of 70 the neghboring Harvard. He was then
fifteen years of age. At a dinner of the New-Eng
land Society in New-York in 1877 Mr.. Evarts, al
iuding 10 this circumstance. remarked: Il remem-
her. when ! was a boy, I travelled 240 miles by
stage coach from Boston TO New-Haven TO avoid
going 10 Harvard University, which was across
The bridge" While at Yale he made no effort to
attract attention by snowy display OF his ability
ih seeking prizes honors; but, although he was
one Of the rest students In his class, he appeared
70 avoid rather than to court general observation
Among his classmates IN the class Of 1887 were
Morrison r. Waite, afterward Chief Justice of
the United States, and Edwards Pierrepont who
aafer became United States Minister to England.
u the Yale catalogue of that day these two men
.eured as Morrison Renich Waite and Munson
1c"2ros Pierrepont. Another well known man in
me same class Benjamin Sillirnan. Both Waite
and Plerrepont warm personal friends of
EFarts These three young and less than
oozen others were generally associated in all the
literary and social schemes of their college days.
Vne Of their chief offences against the college
Rvs Was in the holding of semi-monthly social
80 convivial gatherings at the "Barons" an
so-tashioned inn in New-Haven. This form of
't~feauon was frowned upon by the faculty and
me Barons" especially understood to be
Forbidden place The college boys enioyed these
saturday night meetings none the less because
"ley were secret, but sought all the more assidu-
e1sly 10 make the most of the occasion The meet
Hss pariook somewhat OF literary character. too
eha The dry wit and infinite fund of quiet hurnor
"-lch afterward became one Of Mr. Evarts's char
'erlstlcs began 10 develop in these gatherings in
way 70 delight and charm his associates Mr.
warts showed marked ability during his course