From 1920 to 1922, Evans was made the military governor of American Samoa during a period of native unrest and when charges had been brought against then-Governor Warren Jay Terhune. His investigation focused on two sailors, one of whom was later court martialed, and one civilian, who was deported back to the United States.
After the unexpected death of Governor Trench, Evans was asked out of retirement to govern the United States Virgin Islands. As Governor, Evans signed a bill which granted all citizens of the Islands United States citizenship, effective Februrary 281927. In September 1928, the Islands were hit by a hurricane, resulting in six deaths and $400,000 worth of property damage (approximately $4.3 million in inflation-adjusted 2005 dollars). He also faced opposition from the sugar plantations in the territories by his insistence that they modernize, due to the potential cut on a sugar tax. In 1931, PresidentHerbert Hoover placed the island under civilian rule, also ending the Evans' term as Governor on March 181931.
In 1935, Evans' wife died in an automobile accident in California. Following her death, he fell into ill health and eventually had a stroke. He died in Des Moines, Iowa in 1936.
References
"Samoan Trouble Focused." The Los Angeles Times. Los Angeles, Calif.: Nov 30, 1920. pg. I2, 1 pgs
"Naval Court Files Report on Samoa." Los Angeles Times. Los Angeles, Calif.: Feb 28, 1921. pg. I2, 1 pgs
"Evans made Governor of Virgin Islands." Special to The New York Times. New York Times. New York, N.Y.: Jan 19, 1927. pg. 17, 1 pgs
"Virgin Islanders' Joy at Citizenship." Aldolph Gereau. New York Times. New York, N.Y.: Mar 20, 1927. pg. XX16, 1 pgs
"Plea for Virgin Islands." Special to The New York Times. New York Times. New York, N.Y.: Sep 17, 1928. pg. 3, 1 pgs
"Hoover's Order Ends Naval Rule in Virgin Isles." Chicago Daily Tribune. Chicago, Ill.: Mar 3, 1931. pg. 15, 1 pgs
"Long Illness Proves Fatal To Capt. Evans." The Washington Post. Washington, D.C.: Apr 16, 1936. pg. 5, 1 pgs
