The Washington herald., 1909-08-23
FEARLESS" BILL EVANS
DESERVES THAT TITLE

When Charles Dryden. the peer Of base
ball humorists. referred 20 Umpire Evans
as Fearless Bin Evans" he uttered q
large truth. Ask anybody who are the
best umpires in the American League.
and the reply VIII be: Jack Sheridan
behind the bat and Bill Evans on the
bases" not overlooking the fact that
six O'LoUghlin and Tommy Connolly
are mighty competent men.
Evans has had sSfew experiences in the
major leagues that called for bravery.
but he never encountered anything IN Ban
Johnson's big show that equaled his trials
and fluctuations when officiating at roller
polo.
A few winters since the Interstate Polo
League was in existence. Polo players
themselves are not noted for tameness;
neither are the crowds OF steel and tin
mill workers who patronized the sport IN
the Mahoning and Shenango valleys. Ev-
ans never had much trouble with the
players. as he was as big as any Of
them. but he did encounter the infamed
and excited populace at Newcastle and
Sharon.
Frank Wilson. promoter Of the league
and owners Of the Sharon (Pa) team, re-
called What he considered an act OF great
bravery on the part Of Evans.
sharon was playing Newcastle one
night az Sharon Wilson said, and Ev-
ans referred the game. The race was
close and there is a rivalry between these
cities not understood by the man WI5
comes from large place. Sharon. New
castle, and Youngstown always have been
bitter enemies IL sport. and the feeling
carried into polo good and strong.
Toward the latter part Of the &c me
Evans made a decision that the crowd
thought favored Newcastle. Hundreds Of
tin mill workers were at the ga. Ia
night, and a lot OF n IN were little
the worse for being just after gss day.
They ho0ted and jeered, and announced
they would get Evans after the game.
AT its conclusion Bin came TO my Office
TO change his clothes. I cautioned him
about going into the street, but he only
laughed. He had his brother with him.
and the older Evans was built about on
the same lines as- Bill.
Together they stepped out Of the build
ing and onto the sidewalk. Probably 100
men, followed by the usual collection Of
youths and small boys, waited for him
ENdlS showed NAtlu hHlAt ana walked To-
ward the Shenango House. The crowd
followed. snarling and threatening
About all that was needed 10 start a
general fight was ringleader
When Evans reached the hotel he
backed toward the door, and. facing the
crowd, said;
80 II any OF you fellows want anything
from me you can come TO a rear room,
one at a time. After I get through with
one OF you I'll take on another. and Il
don't beat the heads of the whole
bunch III never referee another game in
this town.
wen. nobody came on. and nobody
seemed 70 have any inclination to. Some
OF the men stood around FOR a few min
utes. and then went about their business.
It was a mighty nervy thing 90 do
walking through that crowd-and nerve
alone got him past IN safety. a weaker
man would have faltered. and a serious
row would have been the result
Evans never had any more trouble in
sharon. The men who wanted TO beat him
up had to admire his courage. and the
J people in Sharon VIII tell you to-day that
Billy Evans 10 the best Official IN any
line Of sport they ever saw"