Charles Billmeyer / John Evans

Charles Billmeyer, also, John Evans. . , 29. Charles Billmeyer (1824-1875): To your left at approximately the 11 o'clock position, lies Charles Billmeyer. He was the business partner of David E. Small. In 1857, they erected extensive railroad car manufacturing facilities. Their company had 3 shops near the railroad station encompassing more than 5 acres. It included a planing mill, lumber yard and parts warehouse and employed 700 people., 30. John Evans (1800-1876): To your right, in front of the tree, is the grave of John Evans. Evans was senior member of the York County Bar and chaired the meetings held at the courthouse on September 6, 1862 in response to the Confederate march toward the Mason-Dixon Line. The march culminated in the battle of Antietam in northern Maryland. the York Gazette describes the meeting: On taking his seat, the chairman [unreadable] the meeting on the most stirring and patriotic terms, setting forth the serious character of the pending danger, and the necessity of promptly preparing to regret it." The position attracted controversy for Evans after the Philadelphia Inquirer stated that gunpowder from York was sent to rebel lines. The Gazette pointed out that the lawyer owned the only gunpowder factory in the county and not a single wheelbarrow load, much less three wagon loads were stored at any one place.