Dr. Musgrove Evans, Fayette, Texas

I have been searching for this information for years. Dr Musgrove Evans was the brother of my gt grandfather, Charles Cloud Evans. Letter on the Devastating Yellow Fever Epidemic in La Grange Note: in 1867, a yellow fever epidemic devastated La Grange. The following is what a local man reported to Governor E.M. Pease and an article about the matter in the New Orleans Crescent. Transcribed from the Texas State Library and the New Orleans Crescent by Connie F. Sneed. La Grange, Oct. 9th 1867. Gov. E.M. Pease. My Dear Sir: Our mutual friend, Dr. M. Evans, and his daughter, very unexpectedly to me, and to my great surprise, from the report I had heard of their cases, both departed this life last night, and will be buried today. The Epidemic has not abated here, so far as there are subjects left for its actions. I have three new cases, in the last thirty-six hours, in my own family. Whether they will be fatal, or not, I cannot judge, till further developments. This leaves only two in my family yet to have it -- a grand child and a servant. I don't know certainly -- but it does appear to me that this favor [sic] has proved more fatal here—than it has ever been anywhere in the South, or even in the West Indies. Just to think of it— one hundred and seventy deaths, in a period of a little over four weeks, in a population, all told, of not more than 1600, when all the residents were at home; and during the Epidemic, more than half; yea, I believe, two-thirds of the population, had fled their homes! I trust the malady has early spent its force, and our afflicted people may soon be relieved from this awful visitation. With my best wishes for your health and happiness, I am, your friend, & obt. Sevt.