Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-11-11
ENGAGE IN MAN HUNT
Local and Maryland Law Of
fierS Make Search.
LOOKING FOR JAMES EVANS
Fugitive Is Accused of Assaulting a
Young Girl.
POTOMAC, MD, SCENE OF CRIME
Individual Wanted Thought to Have
Fled to This City-What
Law Provides.

MARYLAND law officers and Washington
policemen are today engaged in an active
man hunt.
They are searching for James Evans,
twenty-one years of age. who is charged
with having committed a criminal as
sault on Maggie Capitola Collins, the
eleven-year-old daughter of John Col
Inns. farmer, residing near Potomac,
Md. The girl was assaulted In her home
Monday night while her father and his
daughter Bertha. eighteen years of age,
were at church in Potomac. Yesterday
morning before Evans could be faced
with the charge he made his escape from
the Collins home, where he had been
employed as a farmland.
The home of John Collins is about two
miles from Potomac. His wife died about
TWO years ago, leaving two sons and
three daughters. Monday evening Col
ilns and his oldest daughter attended
services at the Methodist chapel at Po-
tomac Before the father left his home
Evans said he proposed to go coon hunt
ing later In the night. and requested Mr.
Collins to awaken him when he return
ed from church.
When Mr.. Collins returned he went to
Evans room and aroused him. but the
young man said he had a severe headache
hunting.
Disappears in Woods.
Collins noticed yesterday morning that
Evans did not eat breakfast, the farm
hand explaining that he was still i'll and
had no appetite. Collins and Evans then
started for the fields to dig potatoes.
Esyron mol yfVc l.,
turned to the house to get something he
had forgotten, and it was then he learned
Tor the first time of the assault on his
daughter. He hurried out to confront
Evans with the charge. but the man had
disappeared into the thickets and woods
beyond.
Gould I have found Evans at that
time, Mr.: Collins said today, II would
nave shot him down as would a rabbit -
he also said he feels satisfied Evans
WI Will not remain away long from his home.
The girl. who was at first reported to be
in serious condition, is said to be
improving today and the attending physi-
clan says she will recover.
II was learned today that Evans, ..fter
leaving the Collins residence. went to
ms own nome. about four miles from
Potomac. He then proceeded to the
nome of his uncle, and asked his aunt
Tor the loan of some money. He said he
had gotten into trouble about a girl and
The aunt did not believe his story and
declined to give him money Evans
went away weeping.
Seen at Cabin John.
The fugitive was seen at Cabin John
about noon yesterday and it is believed
ne boarded car there and came to this
city. The matter was reported to the
Washington police by Deputy Sheriff
WI t.
night. At late hour this afternoon the
authorities were hopeful of capturing the
young man by tonight
Evans had worked for Mr. Collins at in
tervals during the past year and a half.
He was regarded as trustworthy by his
Richard Evans, uncle Of the accused,
sald to Star reporter today that so far
as ne Is concerned he Is anxious that his
nephew be captured by the law officers.
will surrender him to the sheriff.
I'VE realize this Is a pretty serious af-
fair" Mr.. Evans said. land believe James
should be punished. if guilty. All we ask
Is that he be given a fair trial"
1t was explained that about seven years
ago Evans was struck on the head with a
stone by colored boy. resulting i'm a
fracture of his skull He was removed
to the Georgetown University Hospital i'm
an unconscious condition, and fragment
VI Inc shuil removed, DelnS replaced by
a silver plate. Evans relatives say the
injury affected the young mans mind and
he has not been right mentally since
Not Known Until Yesterday.
Nothing of the crime was learned un-
til yesterday morning, when the girl
after appearing for breakfast, returned
to her bed. explaining that she was
not we'll enough to go to school. Her
older sister, on going to her room
shortly afterward, discovered the
what had happened. DR.. William T.
Pratt of Potomac was hastily summoned
and reported that the child had been mis-
treated.
The sheriff. who was at once notified
found that Evans had taken his razor
with him when he fed the place. and
it was the officers belief that lie would
commit suicide rather than be cap
tured
Telling Of her experience. the little
girl said that after committing the
crime Evans threatened to shoot her
If she referred to what had occurred
and it was through fear that he would
carry out his threat that she said moth
ing.
Evans is described as five feet ten inches
tall, rather muscular and good looking.
When last seen he wore a blue serge suit
and black hat. He has dark complexion.
Drown eyes ana DARK halr
Citizens of Locality Incensed.
Despite the efforts of Sheriff Mullican
to keep quiet the details of the affair, the
facts leaked out and the citizens of Poto-
mac and vicinity became incensed
When the Washington police received a
description of the fugitive last night Po-
licemen Much and McNinch OF the third
precinct arrested young man as a sus-
pect Deputy Sheriff Councilman came to
this city. and after examining the man
said he was not the party wanted, and the
prisoner was released.
Late yesterday afternoon the father of
the child went to Rockville and swore out
a warrant charging Evans with criminal
assault. Sheriff Mullican at once sent a
description OF the man in all directions
Under the laws of Maryland the crime
charged against Evans is punishable by
death.
THREE SERIOUSLY BURNED.