Morris tribune., 1914-01-02
COL. BEVANS DEAD
Was a War Veteran and Saw
Lincoln Shot

H. 7. Bevana. formerly mayor of
Morris and we'll known citizen of
this county, died at his home in ST.
Paul, on Tuesday morning.
Colenel Bevans was a Civil war
veteran and member of the secret
service detail which was guarding
President Lincoln on the night Of his
assassination. He was IA years
old. Colonel Bevans had peen an in
valid for nearly twelve years. His
death followed general breakdown
five weeks ago.
The night of the Presidents ass
assination by John Wilkes Booth in
the Ford theatre, Washington, Coli
onel Bevans was stationed in the
box directly opposite that Of the
President.
He saw Booth enter the Presidents
box and as he started to shout
warning the assassin fred at the
President and leaped to the stage.
Colonel Beyans hurried from the en-
trance behind the box, but BOOTHS
friends already had helped the MUIR
derer to escape.
Colonel Bevans at once organized
searching parties to scour the coun-
try He was at the head of one of
these parties when Booth was dis
covered " other searchers il barn
few blocks distant.
Colonel Bevans had lived at the
same boarding house with Booth for
more than a month previous to the
assassination. He saw Booth talk
with John Suratt previous to the per-
formance at the theatre. He made
efforts to have Suratt apprehended as
a conspirator. but Suratt already had
left the country. Upon his return
in 1868, Suratt was arrested. Coll
onel Bevans identified Suratt, but the
latter was released on a technically.
Colonel Bevans was born May 25,
1889, in Marietta, Fulton county,
Illinois. When he was 5 years old,
his parents moved to a farm near
Chippewa Falls. Wis. In 1850 his
father died and the boy went to Red
Wing, MINI. to live with sister.
In 1855, he graduated from the
University of Minnesota and was adj
mitted to the bar shortly afterward.
He practiced law until the war began.
He enlisted in Company F, First
Minnesota infantry, and took part in
all the big battles in which the First
Minnesota was engaged. His bravery
in recapturing. single handed, the
colors of the regiment after they had
been taken by the Confederates, won
him sergeancy.
He served as Mayor of Morris for
three terms, was probate Judge for
two terms and was connected with the
customs department. He was assist
ant adjutant general of Minnesota for
FIVE years. when Knute Nelson was
governor.
A nervous breakdown compelled him
to retire from his law practice in
1901. He then moved to ST. Paul.
He is survived by his widow and
one son, Hal T. Bevans, of Belling-
ham, Wash. one sister, Mr.. Mary
Fairbanks of Winnipeg. Can., and
two brothers. Richard Bevans of st.
Paul and Benjamin Bevans of Port
land, Ore.
Colonel Bevans was a member of
the G. A. R. and Mason.
The funeral services were held at
2 p. m. at the residence. Members
of the First Minnesota were the hon.
orary pail bearers.
They are Colonel ]. r. King,
Adams Marty, P. Kreiger, H. Mueller
and Major G. B. Heffelinger, Minne-
apolis. The active pail bearers were
chosen from St. Paul camp Sons of
Veterans Acker Post, G. A r.. had
charge of the service at the house.
The Sons of Veterans had charge at
Oakland cemetery. St. Paul