Newark evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1909-1916, 1912-05-20

mont sent to the east where he was court
martialed and dismissed from the service
AT no time were we near the scene Of
actual warfare, although we had many
skirmishes with Indians and robbers. One
night an Indian boy came into camp and
said that there were some men in the
woods near by who were preparing to
make off with our horses. Dur lieuten-
ant Immediately ordered eight of us to
fall in line. Not far away there was a
large patch of Wild mustard, In which ii
was supposed the robbers were concealed.
The soldiers fred many volleys from their
muskets, but not a robber was seen. This
was known among the soldiers thereafter
as the Battle of the Mustard"
Mr.. Evans then told OF the declaration
of peace between the United States and
Mexico, which new had not reached his
camp until a month later. This was In
lS4s, about the same time that gold was
discovered in California. When we were
mustered out of service a number of us
went from Los Angeles to the mines on
horseback. a distance of 500 miles. The
government had given us our pay and
thirty days provisions before we started
but we did much hunting on the way for
amusement, and. sometimes, for neces.
slty."
Mr.. Evans said that they had reached
the mines late in the fall and that snow
prevented llem from digging for the gold.
He went to San Francisco, where he re-
NAMED for the winter. making another
unsuccessful trip to the mines again in
tha tInauaa TJa rnn,ofnoI In fNalsfo.pfa
however, until 1861, when the Civil War
was declared, becoming married In the
meantime. In that year Mr.. Evans, his
wife aud -four children came East aud
settled In Newark, where he has lived
ever since.
In speaking of Newark in those early
days, Mr.. Evans had some interesting
things TO tell: things which have an
added interest now on account of the In
dustrial Exposition. 80.
Has Been In Every State.
Soon after Mr.. Evans settled here the
Clark thread factory located In the city.
Then the Continental Hotel was built
and 1T was considered the greatest
building in the town, which then had
a population of about 10000. 1.-THE city
grew very slowly for some years. but
in the last ten years the growth has
been marvellous said Mr.. Evans.
Mr.. Evans's first business venture In
Newark was the sale of a mosquito net
ting with q wire frame which he had
invented. For years he was in the tin
smith business with his brother. John,
on Broad street, from which he retired
several years ago.
Speaking Of his many journeys, Mr..
Evans said: II have crossed the At
lantic three times; rounded Cape Horn
sailed two thousand miles into the Pa
ciic Ocean; crossed the continent by
land twice; crossed the Isthmus of
Panama. and have been In every State
in the Union"
Mr.. Evans was appalled, at the Titanic
disaster, but expressed no fear at
crossing the ocean another time. He
recited the story of the wreck of the
steamship Central America, about sixty
years ago, the circumstances of which
resembled In some respects those con.
nected with the Titanic disaster. Most
of those saved from the Central America
which sprung a leak Off Cape Hntteras,
we're women and children. Several men
who manned the lifeboats were also
saved. 81 had two friends on this ship,
and one of them was drowned. He was
a cultured Italian, and when he was
told that the ship was doomed he calmly
lighted a cigar, sat on the deck and said
well, let us have a good time while we
cam l read how some of the men on
the Titanic showed similar courage"
said the veteran.