Jesse Evans

Jesse Evans (c. 1853 — disappeared 1882) was an American outlaw and gunman of the Old West, and the leader of the Jesse Evans Gang. He received some attention due to his disappearance in 1882, after which he was never seen or heard from again, and is presumed dead. Early outlaw life Jesse J. Evans is believed to have been born around 1853 in Missouri, although some historians believe he was born in Texas. He was half-Cherokee, and a graduate of Washington and Lee College in Virginia. He was arrested with both his parents on June 26, 1871, in Elk City, Kansas, for passing counterfeit money. He was released shortly thereafter, and by 1872 he was in the New Mexico Territory. Evans began working as a cowboy and was employed by several ranches, including that of John Chisum. After ending his employment with Chisum, Evans ventured to both Las Cruces and La Mesilla, New Mexico, where he became associated with John Kinney. At the time, Kinney was leading one of the more well-known gangs in the New Mexico Territory, called the John Kinney Gang. Evans joined the gang, and over time he and Kinney became close.