The story of Madison Evans is one mixed with success and sadness. Rise in personality and prestige can often be overclouded by events that are brought about by things either done to them or events of their own making. Historians quell with shyness at attempting to record much more than the events as they unfolded. The sudden and tragic end of the life of the object of this brief sketch will perhaps leave many with questions concerning his death that will never be satisfactorily answered. Nonetheless the facts remain that one of the most respected preachers, educators, historian authors, lawyers, and elected officials of his day, left this life only to be quickly closeted because of accusations made against him that surrounded his sudden demise.

Madison C. Evans was born October 24, 1834 in Warrick County, Indiana. He was a serious student, and reached the high level of education having been conferred upon with the degrees of A.B., A.M. and LL.B. He served the church of Christ and his community in many and mult-faceted ways. In 1859 he became principal of the Preparatory and English School of Northwestern University (now Butler University) in Indianapolis, Indiana. He served as a tutor in Wisconsin State University, and for a time was principal of a school in New Albany, Indiana.

In 1862 a book was released by the J Challen & Sons Publishing Company, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, having been authored by the subject of this sketch. The book, entitled, *Biographical Sketches Of The Pioneer Preachers of Indiana, included the biographical sketches of twenty-five pioneer preachers from the state of Indiana. The sketches were extensively researched, and presented in such a way as to leave the reader with a very familiar knowledge of the life and person of each character. The volume survives to this day as one of the most important primary sources of information concerning the earliest work of the Restoration Movement in the Hoosier State.

Around the time of the book's release, Evans and his family were living in Bedford, Indiana. The historian was also the preacher for the Christian Church in that city. Additionally, he was both a practicing attorney and taught many of the town's children as principal and teacher in the local school.

One of his students was a fourteen year old girl by the name of Helen Newell. She was the daughter of Dr. Benjamin and Louisa Newell. The Newell family were members of the Christian Church where Evans preached. Society in Bedford as well as the entire state of Indiana was deeply aware of both Dr. Newell and Madison Evans as they both held public attention in their given fields of profession. Their relationship came to a very sad and explosive end March 5, 1866. According to Dr. Newland, he was made aware that day that his daughter Helen, now about 17 years of age, had been violated by Professor Evans. She further claimed that he had been doing so since she was fourteen years old when she was one of his students. This news left the doctor enraged. He was later heard to say, "I don't see how that infernal Evans and I can live in the same world." Very shortly thereafter, he murdered Evans in the streets of Bedford under the darkness of night. When the case later went to trial, the Doctor pleaded temporary insanity. As a result he never spent any time in prison. More information on the trial is available here.

The aftermath of the incident took its toll on both families as well as the community and entire state of Indiana. The shock rang throughout the country. The sadness is that the murder left a man accused of a crime against which he would never be able to defend. Hence, the certainty of the accusations will never be known. Whether false or true, so many people were hurt, and the honor of a man who did so much to help preserve some most important historical information will forever be tainted.

Upon the cruel death of Madison Evans, his body was laid to rest in the small Judah Cemetery in the northern part of Lawrence County, and the grave marker simply reads "M.C. Evans."

Madison Evans. Very little has come down to the present generation concerning Madison Evans. He taught English in North Western Christian University. Later, because of the Civil War cutting down the teaching force he went to Bedford and became superintendent of schools. A little later he entered a law praternership with Moses F. Dunn. He was a very brilliant man. He is the author of The Pioneer Preachers, published in 1862. His life ended on March 6, 1866, in one of the most shocking tragedies that ever happened in southern Indiana. Judge Robert N. Palmer who is living at Bedford today was the first man to reach him after his untimely death. He took the author to the grave recently and gave him the story. The widow had erected a slab stone at the head bearing the words, "Madison Evans, My Husband. Judge Not Harshly, God Judges Mercifully."

Madison Evans is buried in the Judah Cemetery. The cemetery is located in Lawrence County, Indiana between Bedford and Bloomington. From Bedford, head north several miles on Hwy. 37 toward Bloomington. Just before entering Monroe County turn right on Old Indiana 37. Then turn left on Co. Road 12, the Judah-Logan Road. The church of Christ is on the corner, and the cemetery is at the rear of the building. Enter the front gate and the grave is just inside and slightly to the right.