His life came to an end as the result of what to him was the greatest possible tragedy.

He was visiting New York City in 1819, when news came to him of the destruction by an incendiary of his beloved shops in Philadelphia.

The shock was greater than he could bear.

A stroke of apoplexy followed, from which he died.
The following prophecy, written by Oliver Evans and published in 1812, seventeen years before the practical use of the locomotive began, tells us something of the vision of this early American inventor: "The time will come when people will travel in stages moved by steam engines from one city to another almost as fast as birds fly--fifteen to twenty miles an hour.

Passing through the air with such velocity--changing the scenes in such rapid succession--will be the most exhilarating, delightful exercise.