The Evansville daily journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ia. [i.e. Ind.]) 1848-1862, 1861-10-24
IN MEMORIAM.
"Death is the crown of life.


JoHx SIXTH GAvITT, was born in Madison,
Jefferson county, Indiana, March 18Th, 1925
At an early age, be moved with his parents
to this county, of which he was citizen
at the time of his deata. Reared amid the
scenes of frontier life, he grew up wild
boy, fearless of danger, living ia the mtds'
of excitement and turmoil, beloved by his
friends, feared by his enemies, and admired
by ell who appreciated. his many good quail
ties In July, 1s4s, he left the home OF his
boyhoed for California. With all the ener-
~ of his nature, he threw himself into
the contest for wealth in that land of gold,
and was so far successful as to return with
a handsome fortune. The party with which
be intended to sail, becoming dissatisfied
With Major GaVitt, he withdrew from the
organization which had been perfected, and
went out relying upon his own resources
for success. The sequel of the undertaking
was Illustrative of the character Of the man
he succeeded where others failed, and many
of the party who had abandoned Major
GavItt were indebted to HMM the far
west-for clothing and food, aud the means
to return home.
After his return, be was elected TO the
Sbsri6ality Of this county, and after serV-
ing two years was defeated by JnO. s. Ter
RI, when he again returned to California
he returned to this city and in 1852 defeat
I'D Mr.. Terry for the same office. In 1855
he was elected Sheriff over Geo. W. Nc
Bride, and was an unsuccessful candidate
for the Office In 1860. He filed the office
Of Sheriff, to which he was three times
called by the people, with an ability rarely
anualled IN the State, and his skill as de-
tective officer was acknowledged by the
police departments of all our Western cities
When the war broke out in April, Maj
Gavitt for time stood aloof from the con-
test. A life long Democrat, of the States
Rights School, who had sympathzed with
the South for many years, he could not
believe that his former friends were in ear
nest in their work of destroying the gov
eminent. But when the purpose of the
Confederate States was unmasked and the
honor of the country was at stake, he lett
his business and enlisted for the war. lie
was appointed Major of the 1st Regiment
Indiana Cavalry, and left this city with bis
command, for Missouri, in August last Hls
first engagement was near lrontoni where
he distinguished himself in charge upon
the enemy, putting them to flight and secur-
ing their arms, ammunition and baggage
For meritorious conduct upon that occasions
he was promoted to the Office OF Lieut.. Col
oueI. bat at the time of his death his ap-
pointment had not reached him. On Sun
day last the 21st inst, his regiment was
engaged With the rebel forces at Fredericks-
town, No., where in charge upon bate
~, at the head of his column, ha fell pierced
with eve bullets.
We have en1ea7ored thus lmperfectly to
chronicle the leadins events Of the life oil
Major Gavitt. BE died as becomes brave
man, urging his followers on to victory
Henceforth his memory is sacred. Whater
his faults, we remember them no more.
We only bear in mind the manner of bis
death and feel that it has cast halo back
upon the past. Death ia indeed the "crown
oflife,n and Major Gavitt has enshrined his
name among the host of patriots, who, upon
the Geld Of honor haye realized how sweet
It Ia @for ones country to die In the
prime of life, with bright prospects before
him, as q citizen aud a soldier, With friends
more devoted perhaps, than those of any
man in our midst, he has gone-dyiug to
establish, if 1t may be, the government Of
oar fathers
Mai. Gavitt leaves widowed mother and
three orphan children to mourn the loss Of
faithful son and fond father, IN this city
he had friends who loved and admired him.
who las, Monday wept bitter tears at bis
untimely fate. Tbe flags throughout the
city were at half-mast yesterday in honor
Of the illustrlous dead, ana many who in
years past were his political foes, acknowl'
edge that the grave had swallowed up their
snmity and they, too, rnourned the death Of
gallant oficer and fearless soldier. His
remains will be brought home 10 a few
days, ana in the cemetery adjoining tbie
city, his old home, he will ''sleep his last
slesp" until the morning of the Great Day