Orselas Evans letters, 1858-1859, 1869
14 pages (4 items)
This collection is made up of three letters from Great Lakes commercial shipowner, sailor, and farmer Richard O. Evans ("Orselas Evans") to his parents, giving them updates on his family and activities on Beaver Island and in Grand Traverse Bay area, Michigan, 1858-1859, and Peshtigo, Wisconsin, 1869. Orselas wrote about co-purchased ships, his time as a farm owner on Beaver Island, socio-political violence on Beaver Island around the 1858 spring elections, grief and family care on the death of his sister-in-law Harriet, logging and land ownership in Michigan and Wisconsin, and temperance. One page of genealogy accompanies the letters.
The contents of the letters are as follows:
1858 October 25. Letter from Orselas Evans, Grand Traverse, to Thomas J. Evans and Mary E. Evans. 6 pages. Written on Orselas' 33rd birthday, giving updates on his brothers Marcius and George. Orselas sailed with George for much the summer, before George decided to take a canoe south to Grand Haven. Despite warnings from Marcius and Orselas, George did not stay along the shoreline and the last heard of him was his safe arrival at the Fox Islands (where George was apparently working as a fisherman at $20/month). Since his parents' last visit, Orselas moved to the Point near Mulletts Mill Stream and co-purchased a 12-ton vessel with Dr. Darwin Cushman. After about a month, he heard that the Mormons were driven off Beaver Island, so Orselas bought a small farm (40 acres) for $200--already cleared, fenced, and "in good Crops." Father Tyrell and George stayed on the island with Orselas and family over the winter. Despite putting great effort into farming, he found that very little would grow. Three acres of oats and 10 acres of meadow land were the only positive results, and so he became discouraged. He sold 20 acres to buy a 30-ton Schooner. Two sailing trips proved successful and so the family decided to move back to the Point. The Evanses moved to Beaver Harbor (about a mile from the farm).
The bulk of the October 25, 1858, letter is Orselas Evans' narrative of political and election strife on Beaver Island related to the spring elections. He informed his parents that he held multiple township offices, including Justice of the Peace, clerk, highway commissioner, school director, and undersheriff, and was "also a deadly enemy to Mormons and everything pertaing to Mormonism and as there was a number of old Mormons left upon the Island I had a good number of enimies and them too that were seeking to Get rid of me in some manner." As Town Clerk and on the Township Board, Orselas decided a question related to ballot counts in the spring election—that all ballots without a full name, i.e. "T. G. Evans instead of Thomas G. Evans," were to be discarded. In "doing this our party gained the election and I was nearly mobbed at the time." A Detroit lawyer was consulted, and it was determined that Orselas was correct in his decision. About a month later, one or more persons set fire to "a barn belonging to an old Mormon by the name of Camel," and Orselas with four others were arrested and brought before the magistrate. At the courthouse were "a large collection of Mormons Bogus Gentiles all my enimies and but few of Friends." Orselas wished for a trial, as he was innocent. The plaintiff had no evidence, and they were discharged.
And "then was the time I had ought to have smelt the cat and left but I am no coward in Such a place. I was speaking with the Justice Just outside the Door of the court room and the row commencd inside upon one of the others of my Party I went to the door ^to try to Get in to rescue him but the door was jamed full as well as the room inside with the cursed crew and determind ^to mob us in good earnest I did not wait long before my comrade (by Georges help) who happened to inside) got Clear and came headlong out of the door with ^a murderous villian close behind him with a bowie knife drawn to stab him. I stood ready and gave him a wipe one side of the head which laid him Sprauling and Gave my comrade time to Get away which did and the other three as fast as their legs could carry them. the moment I struck the villian one fellow drew a large Pistol from his Pocket and in his hurry only half cocked it and snapped it within six feet of my Breast the cap did not go or I should be now pening these lines to you two or three drawing revolvers at the same time ^I left and had not got many yards they fired two or three shots after me but none hit I kept secreted untill night when by the assistance of my friends I Got my Family on Board of my vessel and having a fair wind arrived in Grand Traverse on my old place by four Oclock the next day, after getting my Family settled comfortably I armed myself and vesel and started back determined to have war if they wanted war but when I got there the most of the damened vagabonds had absconded and the remainder were quiet enough so all I had to do was to pick up some Property I had left behind and sail back. I have been back a number of times since but No trouble I still own twenty acres of land there which I shall dispose of as soon as possible and that will probably end my Beaver Island adventures."
Orselas then informed his parents of the death of his sister-in-law "Harry" [i.e. Harriet Tyrell Evans] after a ten-day sickness. His brothers were so heartbroken that they asked Orselas to relate the event. Despite diligent care from Dr. Cushman, she had erysipelas which settled in her head and was so severe that it could not be helped. Lamented that Marcius and Harriet had just made plans for the future and had two "bright children." Orselas was deeply impacted, as on returning from a voyage found her already deceased and buried. Dr. Cushman said she was insensible and had no pain. On Marcius' and Harriet's children: "Marcius has Gave Selina out untill she arrives at the age of eighteen She has got a most exelent place seems quite contented Poor creature she is not old enough to realize her ^loss. Poor little Tyrrell Evans Marcius ^keeps him with him and would not Part with him for all chrisendom he is as fine a little manly fellow as I ever saw." Marcius will be staying with Orselas over the winter, has co-purchased a vessel with him, and will likely stay over the summer. Times are hard there and elsewhere but are improving. Hopes that his parents will utilize their services for moving, which will be "cheap as any other firm." Now has four girls and one boy, "all well plenty to eat."
1859 January 3. Letter from Orselas Evans, Grand Traverse Bay, to Thomas J. Evans and [Mary E. Evans], Austerlitz P.O., Plainfield, Michigan. 3 pages, plus a 1-page addition by Marcius Evans. 4 pages total. Orselas received their last communication. They brought in the New Year with good spirits, though he still had not heard from "prodigal Son George." If his parents haven't heard from George, Orselas expects that he is on Fox or Beaver Island—and also suspects that George may be there on account of his attraction to a "young female who bye the bye George use to stick pretty Close to when he lived with us." Wishes the best for his parents with their land speculation but cannot himself invest as he has "so many Irons in the fire." The vessel co-owned with Marcius needs $150-$200 worth of repairs, a dock needs to be built for $50-75, and road work will cost $25, not to mention the food and clothing of his family of three adults and five children. Marcius is partnering with him and the expectation is that the 30-ton vessel will be worth $450 and the finished dock $500. Next season's business is expected to be good as they expect a "rush of settlers" given the lands that came into the market last August. Mr. Hover built a sawmill on "the old Captain Mullets creek" and is now building a tannery and grist mill. This settlement has 19 families, all but four are squatters—who "are off the Indian reserve and have deeds of their lands – but we are all safe providing we have the money when these land shall come into market . . . this coming Spring." Mr. Barns who had been editor of the Grand River Enquirer is registrar of the land office at the head of West Bay, Traverse City. "I cannot imagine how could think that we could ever move out of Grand Traverse Why . . . it is by all adds the best and healthiest country in the western world . . . and for my part I shall look no further I am contented and perfectly satisfied." Is sending copies of the Grand Traverse Herald, now in its infancy but it will be a blessing. In the margin, Orselas gave his parents the names and the next birthdays of his children: Evelyn Emily (11 years old), Orselas (7 years old on February 6), Alice (5 years old on June 5), Adeline (3 years old on June 12), and Adelaide (1 year old on February 26).
Orselas addressed a page to his brother Thomas R. Evans, wishing him success with his occupation of "performing upon the violin and also in writing musick." Believes that with "steady Persevereance" he will become noted in the Science Art of musick." Hopes he will visit next spring and fall in love with the area. "People here are full of danceing and the time is not far distant when a good musician will make money here." Or, come visit this winter—he could travel with the mail carrier. Wishes to give one piece of advice as his older brother: "Taste not of intoxicating Drinks. My Dear Brother Experience that Greatest of School Teachers has Taught me to my sorrow the heavy Penalty that all who use Alchoholick drinks forfeit in the shape of lost energy loss of character Pains. misery in every form and shape. Oh my Brother Taste it not."
The final page of this letter was written by Marcius A. Evans to his parents, updating them on his children. Selina is with a family who are "very morral upright honest and industrious, and have but one Child which is an infant, and they are in good circumstances." "Tyrrell, I have engaged board with a Mrs. Hitchcock a fine motherly midle aged Lady, till spring" and then likely take him to his grandparents on the Evans side. Have you received any copies of the Grand Traverse Herald? "Father there is one thing that they are very much in want of in this country, that is a good edge tool maker, there is not a good axe in the country and a great quantity of timber to be disposed of."
1869 March 31. Letter from Richard O. Evans [i.e. Orselas Evans], Peshtigo, [Wisconsin], to Thomas J. Evans and [Mary E. Evans]. 3 pages. While he has been neglectful in correspondence, they think often of their parents and long to see them. Have had a very good winter for logging, which has made for "lively times." The logging season is over and preparations are being made for the spring. Has stayed at home over the winter on account of "Knoxys health" [i.e. Orselas' wife Clarissa Knox Tyrell Evans]. "Six weeks ago yesterday she gave birth to 10lb baby boy named U.S. Grant Evans." "this makes eleven children is it not time to stop." Evelyn taught the winter term at Cedar River, Michigan; they hope she will teach in the summer, but Orselas has secured her a position there so she can be close to home. Selina is attending school in Traverse City but will probably come home and stay. Marcius and Richard O. [Orselas] joined the "Good Templars." Praises the "great Giver of all good" for saving their children from "the destroyer," intoxicants. Marcius is going to Oconto when the ice is out, where he will work for the summer. They hear from New York every week and received clothing as a Christmas present—which could not be purchased in Wisconsin for less than $250. Gratitude for all they have done for Evelyn and wish to do for Alice. Hopes that brother Thomas too "will learn Wisdom and cast the Demon from him" [i.e. stop drinking alcoholic beverages].
A later sheet of paper is included with the collection, on which one of the Evans children wrote the birth and death dates of their parents Richard Orselas Evans and Clarissa K. Evans, the birth dates of seven of the Evans' children, and the marriage date of Eunice Evans (August 17, 1892).