Moses Evans

Moses Evans

• Moses Evans was born in April 1812 in Kentucky.
• The following appeared on 11 May 1848 in the Houston Democratic Telegraph and Texas Register: Col. Moses Evans, alias "The Wild Man of the Woods," -- the Tenth, Last and Greatest Wonder of the World! -- to the Readers of the "Dispatch."
       You know it is a difficult matter for a man to write his own history; especially where, as in my case, that history is made up of incidents of so startling a nature that one unacquainted with Texian affairs would suppose them incredible -- but then it has been demonstrated to the satisfaction of all, that the Western continent has far surpassed the Old World in the production of things great and wonderful. We have our Niagara, that beats the world in the way of cascades. -- We have our Mammoth Cave, the bare mention of which makes the grotto of Antiporos seem like a "mere hole in the ground," and not much of a hole either -- our Mississippi River! -- and then we have a great people in every respect -- our ladies are fairer, our soldiers are braver, and -- but suffice it to say, that in mentioning prodigies of greatness, although I have kept myself back for the last, I am by no means the least. If I should speak too modestly of my wonderful adventures, it must not be attributed to a disposition to deprive the world of the additional light I might give it; but rather to the great respect I have for the memory of La Mancha's Knight, so justly celebrated in the annals of chivalry. And, to tell you the truth, gentle reader, my great-grand-mother's cousin was named Juleima, and from that very circumstance I shrewdly suspect that I am a descendant of that redoubtable hero. However this may be, of one thing I am very certain, that his mantle, with a double portion of his spirit, has fallen upon me -- and although I have no Rosinante, I have a steed far superior to that celebrated horse, which I have christened by calling him Beelzebub. Start not, reader! My horse is not the impersonation of his satanic majesty -- I only mean, by calling him Beelzebub, that in an encounter with the Mexicans he invariably (with my assistance) "gives them the devil," and on one or two occasions he has prevented me from "catching the devil," or rather the devil from catching me, by taking me out of harm's way, for he only goes in for "giving the devil his dues." I have also my "Dulceinia," and my "Sancho Panza," and, in truth, I am a singular man, (I mean a singularly great man.) But to my narrative:
       I was born in Kentucky in 1812 -- came to Texas in 1831, and have been engaged in almost every battle that has been fought since. In 1839 I travelled thro' New Mexico, New Leon, Chihuahua, Chihuala, Tamaulipas, and Texas; and I then predicted that in 20 years "Les Yankees" would have possession of the whole of that country. In 1836 I was in the battle of San Jacinto, and was officer of the day. I was in the Federal war under Jordan, and participated in the dangers and troubles of his celebrated campaign in 1840; at the conclusion of which he retreated before an enemy of fifty times his number in a manner that would have done honor to Xenophon himself, for it certainly surpassed, in management and generalship, the celebrated retreat of the ten thousand Greeks. Since that time I have been quietly locating lands for the good citizens of Texas, until the breaking out of the war with Mexico, where I again embarked in the service of my country, and if I did not kill as many guerrillas as some of my fellow soldiers, I at least made sad havoc among the hearts of the fair Senoritas, and although I never was so fortunate to "get my ankle broke," I had many adventures that would furnish rich materials for the pen of a Swift, a Cervantes, or a Butler, or a C. Edward Lester to chronicle my extraordinary deeds, and head? them down to a wonderful posterity.
       Moses Evans, his X mark.
• On Monday, 25 March 1850, Green Wood recorded in his plantation daily account book: "Had a visit from Mr Barnes & Lady, Mr Bates & Colonel Moses Evans."
• Moses Evans appeared in the US federal census of 1 June 1850 in Washington County, Texas, enumerated, amongst other boarders, in the household of Massachusetts-born butcher B. Roberts.
• He was a land agent, according to the 1850 census.
• The following appeared on 23 June 1853 in The San Antonio Ledger: Moses Evans, the wild man, still indulges the utmost luxuriance of red hirsute. There's hair on Mose. Mose is still resolved to attend the world's fair. We bespeak for him in advance, that attention which his merits deserve.
• Moses Evans died in October 1853 at age 41 in Washington on the Brazos, Washington County, Texas.
• He was interred at Washington Cemetery, Washington, Washington County, Texas.
• The following appeared on 20 October 1853 in The San Antonio Ledger: We are pained to record the death of this noted and eccentric individual. We learn that he died a few days since at Washington on the Brazos, of the bloody flux. This will be unexpected and melancholy news to his numerous friends and acquaintances throughout the State. The "Wild Man of the Woods" had identified himself in a singular manner, with the early history of Texas, and was, for some years past, rendering valuable service to the State as a frontier guide and land locator. He was also rapidly laying the ground-work of a large private fortune, when thus suddenly cut off in the prime of vigorous manhood. His demise was doubtless as unexpected to himself as to others, for his robust frame seemed to present an impenetrable shield to the keen arrows of the Destroyer; but it is melancholy to reflect that the most vigorous constitutions and the most powerful forms, however hardned by a life of continued toil and adventure, afford no protection against the sudden onset of the King of Terrors. The stoutest and the bravest man is indeed but a helpless instant in the strong grapple of the giant Death.
       Poor Mose! We shall never see his bright red face again; never more behold his cheerful countenance; never more survey his manly form, nor hear the quick, sharp ring of his voice as he related his numerous frontier experiences, and wild rovings among the red men, who loved him as a brother, and who will doubtless erect a monument of buffalo robes and tiger skins to his memory, when they hear that he has taken his sudden departure to the immortal hunting ground, prepared by the Great Spirit for all brave and generous spirits, such as they believed Mose to be; and such he undoubtedly was. Peace to his ashes!
       La Grange Monument.

• Last Edited: 24 Dec 2012