Capitol Fax.com - Your Illinois News Radar » One of the most spiritually uplifting stories I’ve read in a very long time
SUBSCRIBE to Capitol Fax      Advertise Here      About     Exclusive Subscriber Content     Updated Posts    Contact Rich Miller
CapitolFax.com
To subscribe to Capitol Fax, click here.
One of the most spiritually uplifting stories I’ve read in a very long time

Tuesday, Dec 20, 2011 - Posted by Rich Miller

* A story published in the Tribune earlier this week moved me almost to tears when I read it today. You must read it

Eli Evans doesn’t dwell on the horrific violence that surrounded his birth 16 years ago.

He has known the unfathomable details for years since he and his older brother Jordan came to live with their grandfather in this rural southeastern Illinois community. Sam Evans still encourages the boys to come to him whenever they feel the need to discuss what happened. […]

Late on the night of Nov. 16, 1995, his mother, Debra Evans, was fatally shot in her Addison apartment. Eli, a full-term baby, was cut from her womb with a pair of shears.

Also slain were her 10-year-old daughter, Samantha, and 7-year-old son, Joshua, whose body was later discovered in a Maywood alley. Jordan, then 22 months old, was found in the apartment, sobbing, “Mommy hurt.”

Eli was whisked away by the killers but was rescued within hours after police closed in on three suspects who were later convicted of the slayings.

Take a moment from your busy day and go read the whole story about this remarkable young man and his wonderful grandfather. It’s worth it. Trust me.

       

15 Comments
  1. - Jaded - Tuesday, Dec 20, 11 @ 3:37 pm:

    I read it yesterday. I have no idea if he has a snowballs chance, but I hope Eli makes it to the NFL. What a great story that would be.


  2. - km - Tuesday, Dec 20, 11 @ 3:45 pm:

    Agreed Rich!!!


  3. - Shock & Awww(e) - Tuesday, Dec 20, 11 @ 3:47 pm:

    Thanks for posting this, Rich.

    If anyone wants to double down on warm fuzzy feelings, I also suggest the story about the anonymous person who donated $25,000 to Chicagoland Toys for Tots this afternoon after it emerged this morning that someone had stolen money from the group to buys toys for needy kids.

    The updated story also mentions their phone has been ringing off the hook with people helping since the story came to light.

    On the Trib & Sun-Times, among others.


  4. - The Captain - Tuesday, Dec 20, 11 @ 3:49 pm:

    I remember that story from 1995, it was a brutal story. What an amazing update.


  5. - Secret Square - Tuesday, Dec 20, 11 @ 4:04 pm:

    Wow. I remember hearing about this awful case when it happened and wondering whatever became of this young man. (He’s almost exactly the same age as my own child.) His story made my day and I wish him all the best!!


  6. - Stooges - Tuesday, Dec 20, 11 @ 4:09 pm:

    Sam Evans is an awesome man. He saved these boys and he is thankful for what they have given him and how they have enriched his life. He has uncanny perspective, knowledge and wisdom, and has provided such an example for these boys. Its easy some times to think we are a troubled society with all the craziness that goes on, but there are so many stories like this where people rise above their obstacles and provide inspiration to us all.


  7. - LincolnLounger - Tuesday, Dec 20, 11 @ 4:37 pm:

    I missed that one. Thanks for bringing it to our attention.


  8. - Grandson of Man - Tuesday, Dec 20, 11 @ 4:47 pm:

    It’s really sobering to think that we get mad and hold grudges over such trivialities. What a beautiful lesson about forgiveness, just in time for the holidays.


  9. - Wensicia - Tuesday, Dec 20, 11 @ 5:12 pm:

    At the time it happened, I thought this was the most horrific crime I’d ever heard of in my life. I still believe this.

    Eli’s grandfather is a true guardian angel. What fantastic grandchildren he’s raised.


  10. - Sam I am - Tuesday, Dec 20, 11 @ 5:12 pm:

    I find myself wondering about the people who committed these unspeakable crimes. Have they changed at all since they stole these lives? Do they feel worse about their imprisonment or the murders?


  11. - amalia - Tuesday, Dec 20, 11 @ 5:18 pm:

    it’s nice to know what happened to the baby whose mother was so brutally murdered as he was born. wishing him nothing but huge success in whatever he does.


  12. - sal-says - Tuesday, Dec 20, 11 @ 5:18 pm:

    Excellent article & person. Thanks Trib & CapitolFax for posting it.

    Also two other good Trib reads are:

    Ask Amy.
    “This year, charity begins at home”
    http://tinyurl.com/c4kersv

    By Dahleen Glanton.
    “Iraq War is over, but effects linger for veterans”
    http://tinyurl.com/dx7we42


  13. - x ace - Tuesday, Dec 20, 11 @ 6:35 pm:

    Read, reread, and reread it in the Tribune Sunday.
    Remarkable for sure.


  14. - southern man - Tuesday, Dec 20, 11 @ 7:48 pm:

    Makes you thankful for good people. This boy will do something great with his life.


  15. - Rich Miller - Tuesday, Dec 20, 11 @ 8:02 pm:

    ===This boy will do something great with his life. ===

    Considering what he’s been through, just living a normal life would be a blessing. I, too, would hope he could go on to some sort of greatness, but I would be just as pleased if he went to a decent university, then got a good job or started a business and raised a happy family.


Sorry, comments for this post are now closed.


* Isabel’s afternoon roundup
* Save the date!
* Energy Storage Can Minimize Major Price Spikes
* Trial gives glimpse into how Madigan managed his members
* Pritzker announces $72 million in medical debt relief for nearly 53K Illinois residents
* AG Raoul warns Mayor Johnson to reverse police reform budget cuts or risk sanctions
* Madigan trial roundup: Defense attacks credibility of ex-ComEd executive
* Senate President puts hold on bill to protect key aquifers from carbon sequestration
* Showcasing The Retailers Who Make Illinois Work
* Open thread
* Isabel’s morning briefing
* SUBSCRIBERS ONLY - Today's edition of Capitol Fax (use all CAPS in password)
* Live coverage
* Selected press releases (Live updates)
* Trump border czar pick has message for Pritzker: 'Game on'
* Yesterday's stories

Support CapitolFax.com
Visit our advertisers...

...............

...............

...............

...............

...............

...............


Loading


Main Menu
Home
Illinois
YouTube
Pundit rankings
Obama
Subscriber Content
Durbin
Burris
Blagojevich Trial
Advertising
Updated Posts
Polls

Archives
November 2024
October 2024
September 2024
August 2024
July 2024
June 2024
May 2024
April 2024
March 2024
February 2024
January 2024
December 2023
November 2023
October 2023
September 2023
August 2023
July 2023
June 2023
May 2023
April 2023
March 2023
February 2023
January 2023
December 2022
November 2022
October 2022
September 2022
August 2022
July 2022
June 2022
May 2022
April 2022
March 2022
February 2022
January 2022
December 2021
November 2021
October 2021
September 2021
August 2021
July 2021
June 2021
May 2021
April 2021
March 2021
February 2021
January 2021
December 2020
November 2020
October 2020
September 2020
August 2020
July 2020
June 2020
May 2020
April 2020
March 2020
February 2020
January 2020
December 2019
November 2019
October 2019
September 2019
August 2019
July 2019
June 2019
May 2019
April 2019
March 2019
February 2019
January 2019
December 2018
November 2018
October 2018
September 2018
August 2018
July 2018
June 2018
May 2018
April 2018
March 2018
February 2018
January 2018
December 2017
November 2017
October 2017
September 2017
August 2017
July 2017
June 2017
May 2017
April 2017
March 2017
February 2017
January 2017
December 2016
November 2016
October 2016
September 2016
August 2016
July 2016
June 2016
May 2016
April 2016
March 2016
February 2016
January 2016
December 2015
November 2015
October 2015
September 2015
August 2015
July 2015
June 2015
May 2015
April 2015
March 2015
February 2015
January 2015
December 2014
November 2014
October 2014
September 2014
August 2014
July 2014
June 2014
May 2014
April 2014
March 2014
February 2014
January 2014
December 2013
November 2013
October 2013
September 2013
August 2013
July 2013
June 2013
May 2013
April 2013
March 2013
February 2013
January 2013
December 2012
November 2012
October 2012
September 2012
August 2012
July 2012
June 2012
May 2012
April 2012
March 2012
February 2012
January 2012
December 2011
November 2011
October 2011
September 2011
August 2011
July 2011
June 2011
May 2011
April 2011
March 2011
February 2011
January 2011
December 2010
November 2010
October 2010
September 2010
August 2010
July 2010
June 2010
May 2010
April 2010
March 2010
February 2010
January 2010
December 2009
November 2009
October 2009
September 2009
August 2009
July 2009
June 2009
May 2009
April 2009
March 2009
February 2009
January 2009
December 2008
November 2008
October 2008
September 2008
August 2008
July 2008
June 2008
May 2008
April 2008
March 2008
February 2008
January 2008
December 2007
November 2007
October 2007
September 2007
August 2007
July 2007
June 2007
May 2007
April 2007
March 2007
February 2007
January 2007
December 2006
November 2006
October 2006
September 2006
August 2006
July 2006
June 2006
May 2006
April 2006
March 2006
February 2006
January 2006
December 2005
April 2005
March 2005
February 2005
January 2005
December 2004
November 2004
October 2004

Blog*Spot Archives
November 2005
October 2005
September 2005
August 2005
July 2005
June 2005
May 2005

Syndication

RSS Feed 2.0
Comments RSS 2.0




Hosted by MCS SUBSCRIBE to Capitol Fax Advertise Here Mobile Version Contact Rich Miller