History: The Outlaw's Life After Capture

The Outlaw Chris Evans: His Life After Capture

Words & Photos provided by Terry Ommen

The criminal exploits of Christopher Evans and John Sontag are legendary in the San Joaquin Valley, especially Tulare County. Accused of multiple train robberies and murders, these two Visaliabased outlaws kept lawmen and bounty hunters busy and frustrated in the 1890s as they evaded capture and hid out in the wilds of Tulare and Fresno counties. The antics of this elusive pair brought much discredit and unwanted publicity to the Valley, and earned the unholy partnership of Evans and Sontag a top place on California’s list of notorious lawbreakers.

June 11, 1893, marked the beginning of the end for the two men when they were ambushed by U.S. Marshal George Gard and his posse near Stone Corral in northern Tulare County. The gunfight left John Sontag mortally wounded and Chris Evans seriously injured, though he was able to escape the trap and slip away. In 1894, Evans was finally caught. At his trial, he was convicted of first degree murder by a Fresno County jury and was sentenced to life in state prison.

For many historians, the story of the 47-year-old Evans ends with him languishing in a dark Folsom prison cell, but his story actually continues for another 23 years. He spent much of his time in prison writing a book detailing his idealistic political and philosophical views. The setting was a fictionalized country (and became the name of the book): Eurasia.

Early into his sentence, the well-behaved convicted outlaw began thinking about parole. But obtaining parole was a long, arduous process linked to one’s behavior in prison and the number and quality of letters supporting an early release. When an inmate began an application for parole, a notice of intention was published in a local newspaper. The notice alerted the community to an inmate’s possible release, and gave the public an opportunity to comment. The parole board considered all factors before making a decision.

In 1902, after about eight years in prison, Evans formally submitted his application for parole. For the next several years, letters were received both in support and protest. One letter came from P.T. McGinnis, the brother of the late Andrew McGinnis who was a lawman slain presumably by Evans and Sontag. In his long, emotional letter McGinnis wrote, “Evans was tried and convicted for only one of many crimes of which he was without doubt guilty of, and richly deserved the death penalty.” McGinnis questioned whether Evans had been reformed while in prison and closed his letter advising the board to consider “long and carefully” their decision.

Jay Scott, the Fresno County sheriff during Evans’ crime spree, wrote in part, “It would take me twenty-four hours to tell all the different crimes he [Evans] committed which led up to his conviction. I think he is one of the hardest criminals ever sent to prison and in my judgment he should stay where he is.”

Bank of Visalia president Richard E. Hyde shared some hard-hitting words about Evans. In his letter written on Bank of Visalia letterhead he wrote, “This man was employed by me many years ago in a sawmill, and while a competent worker was found to be a very dishonest man. His exploits at train robbing and man-killing are too well known to speak about. The only opinion entertained here [Visalia] by the better class of our people is that his consignment to prison instead of the gallows was a travesty of justice. It is not likely that he would attempt to hold up any more trains, nor shoot people in cold blood, but he could certainly do neither if he was left severely alone where he is.”

This photo was taken in the early morning hours of June 12, 1893, near Stone Corral. It was here U.S. Marshal Gard’s posse surprised Evans and Sontag. Chris Evans slipped away, but John Sontag lies here mortally wounded. (Courtesy Annie R. Mitchell History Room, Tulare County Library)

But the letters were not all negative. J.D. Morgan, the ex-Fresno City Marshal who had been shot by Evans in his escape from the Fresno jail, wrote, “My feelings were very strong against him for a long time, but now after truly considering the whole matter as I understand it, I think no harm would come from his being released.” And Folsom prison officials like T.B. Hagerty called Evans “honest and trustworthy” and C.N. Kyle described him as a “model prisoner.”

One of the most impassioned letters for release came from Cincinnatus Miller—a man who adopted the name Joaquin Miller, and later became well-known as the “Poet of the Sierras.” During Evans’ and Sontag's crime spree, the well-known writer had visited Evans’ family in Visalia and became an enthusiastic supporter of him and his family. In Miller’s letter he called Evans “an old man in poor health… with one arm and one eye” who was always “honest and peaceful.” He blamed the railroads for the incarcerated man’s trouble and faulted his conviction on an incompetent lawyer.

On April 14, 1911, the parole authorities met and ruled on his request: “Now therefore the State Board of Prison Directors, by virtue of the powers vested in them by law, do hereby grant said prisoner No. 3055, Christopher Evans, a parole effective May 1, 1911.” After serving 17 years, he was out of prison. At the time of the ruling, Evans’ wife Mary and several family members lived in Portland, Oregon, so he was released to be with his family. While there, Evans and his wife lived comfortably, supported by their four sons.

Because he was paroled outside of California, the state required that if Evans ever wanted to return, he needed permission to do so. In September 1916, he made a request to California prison authorities to travel back into California to sell his book Eurasia. He explained that he needed to “earn a living.” His request was granted. The success of his book selling is unknown, but the trip did give him the opportunity to visit his daughters—Winifred in Sacramento and Eva in Laguna Beach.

Due to failing health, the California trip was cut short, and by January 1917, Christopher Evans was diagnosed with prostate cancer. This, coupled with his other health problems, ultimately ended his life. On February 9, 1917, the 70-year-old former outlaw died in Portland and was buried in the Mt. Calvary Cemetery.

The last known photograph of Christopher Evans was taken in 1916 at his daughter Eva’s home. (Courtesy Annie R. Mitchell History Room, Tulare County Library)