Goin Bailey Evans (1842-1922)

Portrait from the Montpelier Evening Argus, October 21, 1908.

  There were few individuals more popular in 19th century Waterbury, Vermont than Goin Bailey Evans, a farmer and Civil War veteran who served four non-consecutive terms in his state's legislature. In addition to his multiple terms as a state representative, Evans attained further distinction as a Democratic presidential elector for Vermont, sheriff of Washington County, deputy inspector of customs, U.S. Postmaster at Waterbury, and in 1908 served as a delegate to the Democratic National Convention from Vermont. The son of Osgood and Mary (Bailey) Evans, Goin Bailey Evans was born in Moretown, Vermont on December 4, 1842.

  Bestowed the curious name Goin upon his birth, Evans' early education was obtained at the Newbury, Vermont seminary and later attended the Bryant and Stratton Business College in New York. Employed as a drover during young adulthood, Evans signed on for service in Co. G, 6th Regiment Vermont Volunteers in 1862 and his Civil War service extended until April 1863, when he was discharged due to disability. 

  Following his return from service Goin Evans married in 1864 to Abbie M. Goodrich (1846-1905), to who he was wed until her death in 1905. After her passing Evans remarried to Margaret Thompson (birth-date unknown) who survived him upon his death in 1922. Both unions were childless. 

   Evans resided in Moretown following his marriage, where he was a farmer and produce dealer. In 1873 he was elected to his first term in the Vermont House of Representatives. During the 1874-75 session Evans held no committee assignments, and, following his reelection to a second term, again held no committee duties through the 1876-77 session. In 1881 Evans won a third term in the legislature, and during the 1882-83 term held a seat on the committee on the Reform School. Evans's fourth and final house term began in 1884, and in addition to service in that session was also a Democratic presidential elector for Vermont, seeing Grover Cleveland win the presidency that year. 

  In the wake of Cleveland's presidential win (the first Democratic presidential victory since 1856), Goin B. Evans was appointed as deputy inspector and collector of customs in 1885, serving through the first Cleveland administration. Two years after Cleveland's reelection as president in 1892, Evans was named as U.S. Postmaster for Waterbury, Vermont, serving from 1894 until stepping down in 1898.

  Evans continued in local political office during the early 20th century when he won election as sheriff of Washington County, Vermont in 1901. His term in that post extended from 1902-04, and in July 1908 served as part of the Vermont delegation to the Democratic National Convention in Denver, Colorado, where William Jennings Bryan was nominated as the party standard-bearer for the third time. 

From the Waterbury Record, March 16, 1909.

  Three months after his time at the Democratic Nation Convention Goin B. Evans made headlines of a different sort when he was brutally attacked at his home during an attempted robbery. On October 19, 1908, Evans was visited at his home by Fred Strong, who, under the premise of being a book agent, asked Evans to change a $20 bill that Strong had in his possession. After agreeing to do so, Evans produced a large roll of bills, whereupon Strong proceeded to strike Evans with a rock contained in a stocking. Despite being beaten severely, the 66-year-old Evans managed to hang on to his assailant, and, after receiving aid from a servant, subdued Strong until police arrived. After his arrest, Strong (a "confirmed drug fiend") was held at the Vermont State Hospital until his trial, and in April 1909 was found not guilty by reason of insanity. Following the verdict, Strong was remanded to the state prison for "safe keeping until further order from the court."

  Goin Bailey Evans survived the attack at his home but in the last years of his life was afflicted by blindness. Through the efforts of his second wife Margaret, Evans was afforded some measure of independence from his affliction, being able to visit with friends at both his home and elsewhere. Evans took ill in the months prior to his death and one week before his passing was confined to his bed. He died aged 79 on August 24, 1922, at his home, and was later interred at the Hope Cemetery in Waterbury.

From the Montpelier Evening Argus, August 24, 1922.