Laura B. & Simpson P. Evans

March 20, 1899

DEATH OF S. P. EVANS.
It was Due to a Complication of Diseases, Brought About by Grip.
Austin, Tex., March 19 - Representative S. P. Evans of Grayson county died here to-day after an illness of about two weeks. He was first stricken with an attack of la grippe and his death was due to a complication of diseases brought about by that sickness. He was aged 39. His remains were shipped to Van Alstyne, Tex., to-night for interment, accompanied by a legislative committee.

Van Alstyne, Tex., March 19. - Representative S. P. Evans, who died at Austin this morning, will be buried by the I. O. O. F. here to-morrow at 3 o'clock. Visiting lodges from Sherman, McKinney, Denison and Bells will be here.
 

Sherman Democrat
Wednesday, March 23, 1966

History From the Files of the Sherman Daily Register, March 20, 1899
All that is mortal of Hon. Simpson P. Evans, representative from Grayson County and editor of the Van Alstyne News, rests under a new made mound in the pretty little burying ground in Van Alstyne.
An unspeakable gloom has rested like a pall over the little city today. The funeral obsequies and burial were attended with full legislative marks of respect and a guard of honor from among the fellow craftsmen of the deceased have been in attendance.
The body was accompanied from Austin by the following committee:
House - Cecil H. Smith, Tom Wells, E.W.H. Shelburne, F.L. Staples, W.S. Connely and J.L. Crawford.
The two first mentioned are colleagues of the deceased representing Grayson County.
Senate - B.H. Johnson and C.V. Terrell.
Mesdames Harris and Franklin of Austin came home with the grief stricken widow.
The Houston and Texas Central railway by special orders waited at Dallas for the funeral train on the Missouri, Kansas and Texas railway and the party arrived at Van Alstyne nearly an hour earlier than expected.
At every turn the utmost consideration and courtesy was received from the railroads, their agents and employes.
Since daylight every village and municipality through which the train passed have shown marks of respect.
At every stop of any length county and municipal authorities have tendered their immediate services, if need to perform any little office of kindness to the funeral party.
Yet nowhere was there an evidence of worship of those in high places simply the promptings of the great appreciative heart of Texas in respect to the memory of a good and faithful public servant.
Was Representative Evans murdered? This startling question was asked even among his intimate friends before his body was brought back to Van Alstyne.
A quiet investigation was soon begun and has since proceeded but under the strictest pledge of secrecy among the officers.  But so far no light has been turned on satisfying them one way or the other.  There were bruises on his face and throat and a contusion on the back of his head.  A considerable sum of money known to have been in his possession has not been accounted for.
There are persistent rumors that he was the victim of an assault between the capitol building and his hotel the night before the day his illness was announced.
During lucid intervals in his illness he made no reference to anything confirming these rumors, and in fact talked but little of the case, but while unconscious continuously placed his hand upon the bruise on the back part of his head.