 Evans was nominated by President William McKinley on March 3, 1899, to a seat on the United States District Court for the District of Kentucky vacated by Judge John Watson Barr.He was confirmed by the United States Senate on March 3, 1899, and received his commission the same day.Evans was reassigned by operation of law to the United States District Court for the Western District of Kentucky on July 1, 1901, to a new seat authorized by 31 Stat.