The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1866-08-02

ANOTHER TERRIBLE TRAGEDY - EX-
ALDERMAN j. L. HARMER SHOT DEAD IN BAR
ROOM FIGHT.-Last evening eX-Alderman james
u. Harmer, whose residence is in Fifth street.
below Federal, was shot, and almost instantly
killed, at Peck's tavern, corner of Passyunk
road and Federal street. The shooting origi-
mated in political brawl, and was done by
Jacob Bastian, resident OF the lower section OF
the city. Harmer, it seems, drove in hack to
Pecks tavern in company with several others and
Bastian. George p. FIuney, and one or two
others, were sitting in the bar-rnom. As soon
as HaTmer entered he began a discussion with
Finney on politics, they belonging TO different
parties. The lle was passed. and deceased
threatened violence to Finney. While this dis
pute was going on the parties got outside, and
Hermer incensed at something said by Flnney,
struck HIM in the face and knocked him down,
he falling over chair in the tootway. Bastian,
who was the friend of Finney, ran to his assist
ance, and he and Harmer had quarrel. The
exAlderman ran Bastian into the bar-room, and
then commenced to throw glasses at him.
Bastian then took refuge behind the bar, and the
attack was continued by Harmer.
The last thing thrown was a large dish which
the friends of Bastian say barely escaped his
head. At this point Bastian picked up an old
musket behind the eating bar, belonging to Mr.
Peck, and raising 1t, told Harmer to keep back.
Seeing that Harmer was about to throw some
thing else, the musket was discharged. Harmer
turned at that moment, and the load entered his
lett breast; he then staggered TO the door and
fell on the step, and died III a few minutes.
AS soon as Bastian saw that the load had taken
effect, he left the house by the back door, and
hurrying up to the Central Station, asked for
the Chief OF Police as soon as he reached it, and
gave himself up to the officer in charge. He
Then, though cautioned against saying anything
to implicate himself, stated that he had shot
Harmer, and narrated the occurrence substan
tlally as given above. He stated that the shoot
ing was entirely in selfdetel Sc; that he had
every reason to believe, from the violent conduct
OF Harmer, that he would not stop short of taking
his life.
Bastian is quite a small man, and Harmer
above the ordinary size, weighing above two
hundred pounds. Deceased was we'll known in
the southern part of Philadelphia where he had
lived from childhood. He was on the police
force under Mayor Vaux, and subsequently, was
elected Alderman of the Second Ward, which
Office he held for five years.
Al the time of his death he kept q restaurant
on Delaware avenue, near Dock street. He was
married, and leaves a wife and five children.
AS soon as intelligence OF the killing reached the
Coroner, he proceeded to the scene, and made
arrangements to hold an inquest ou the body,
which will take place to-day. Several OF the
persons who witnessed the occurrence, including
George p. Finney, were held as witnesses, and
will be examined before the Coroner's Jury.
Bastian is a single man, and resides in Eighth
street, below Wharton. The shooting created q
coed deal of excitement in the lower part OF toe
city, where the eX-Alderman had large number
of acquaintances.