The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1871-07-17
CHARLES n. PETIT.


Innocence of "a Victim OF the Late Riot-Dr.
Crawrord's Eulogy on the Character Of the
Deceased.
Yesterday at three O'Clock in the afternoon the
funeral OF Charles H. Petit. Of the innocent vic
TINS of the late RIOT took place from the residence
Of his uncle, Mr.. James Morton, az 1851 West Twenty
first street, OF Ninth avenue. 1t will be
membered that Mr. Pettlt's violent death took place
under circumstances that were alike peculiar
and distressing. According to the testi-
mony Of his uncle and aunt, who, to-
geiher with their sons, for med the only
circle OF relatives that he possessed in the city, he
not only had connection with the rioters, but did
not even belong to the class of sightseers present
on the occasion, many OF whom paid for their curl
Osity with their lives. Upon the afternoon OF the
fatal 10Th Petit had just parted with his afianced
bride In order to make purchases farther up town,
and had arranged with her that both Of them wonld
visit some friends in Brooklyn inthe evening, when
he turned into Eighth avenue, at the corner OF Twen
ty.fth street, and, by what seems now TO have been
e fatality, Just IN time to receive
THE FIRE OF THE TROOPS,
which took even that portion of the spectators who
had been upon the ground during the afternoon by
surprise. bullet pierced his heart, entering from
the breast and passing outward by the back. He
sunk TO the ground and never spoke afterwards. A
friend happening to notice him, hurried to his as.
sistance and used means to remove him from the
crowd and to the residence OF his uncle Twenty
first street, but he expired In few minutes, and be-
fore his home could be reached. Who fired the
fatal shot is mystery not likely to be solved.
Miss Johnson, the young lady to whom he was be-
trothed, had just parted from him twenty minutes
previously. Although her grief and con-
sternatiOn were naturally great and the
shock severe one, the friends of the young lady
she had in consequence OF the accident become ga
raving MANAGE Her mind has not in any respect
lost its usual balance. The father and mother OF
the unfortunate man are both alive and are resi-
dents OF Portsmouth, in Virginia. Charles was
their only son. For several years he mad carried
on the occupation of butcher successfully at the
corner OF Nineteenth street and Ninth avenue, and
had gained the respect Of large number Of friends
In the neghborhood, as well as a still warmer ex-
preston OF feeling on the part OF his relatives.
Shortly after three O'Clock the funeral, which con-
sisted almost solely OF his relations, moved OF from
OF the Methodist Episcopal church IN West Eigh-
teenth street, Of which MI Morton the uncle of the
deceased, Is u member The body OF the church
was entirely occupied half an hour before the adver
fused time for the commencement OF tine services
by members Of the congregation, friends Of the de.
ceased and residents III the neighbOrhOOd generally.
Upon the galleries being thrown open they were
instantly filed. The excitement among the audience
appeared to be very great and hreefourths Of those
present were females, who seemed to take peculiar
u
tIona point OF view, as well as from the more OBJ
vlOus surroundings.
After the casket containing the body had been
deposited upon rest III 'front.' OF the pulpit
THREE FLORAL wREATHS
were placed upon 1t. The services for the occasion
were then proceeded with. and were conducted by
the Rev. Al. ID. c. Crawford, d. d., pastor of the
congregation, and the Rev. Messrs. Wright and
Silleck. After prayer and the reading OF apprO-
pirate passages Of Scripture the Rev. Mr.. Crawford,
after a reference to the American principle OF
liberty and 10 it being On tnal on Wednesday last,
sad-
There are many here who knew Mr.. Petit better
than did but feel that some notice OF his life is re-
qulred from me. He was born the nth OF August
1874, and was the only Child OF loving parents VINO
resided and still reside in Portsmouth, Va. When
sixteen years OF age he came 10 this city to learn
trade. and started In business for himself, IN
which he was very successful, maintaining far
j Know an unbamabe record and an unspOtted
character. never heard the slightest reproach cast
upon his name. There he was, 400 miles away from
home. with EVIL influences around him, and yet his
life was worthy example to young men. I hardly
know whether should alude TO a delicate subject
expecting with his BRIDE to visit his fathers home
he was repairing his boat, ne repairing his FISH.
Ing rod and thinking of the day when "Cnarley'
would be home. No words can express the terror
which many hearts felt at the late accident.
WORDS ARE POOR THINGS.
know what 1t is TO love children. but do not know
what IL Is TO have everything safely on board ana
then to have the snip founder and everything 90 to
the bottom. know that the sorrow must be very
bitter. The reverend speaker then closed his adj
dress by recommending true religion as the only
lshlng young men especially 10 improve the present
mOurnfu OCCASION.
The sexton, at the close OF the address announced
TO the audience that they had now an OPPORTUNITY
for the last time, OF looking upon the features OF the
deceased, upon which the entire audience almost
without an exception, availed themselves OF the
mOurniul privilege. Petit o young man. six
feet two inches IN height, well formed and with ex.
ceedingy handsome features. AT this stage of the
proceedings considerable feeling was manifested by
some Of the ladies present The casket bears a
silver plate, with the following simple Inscriptions
: CHARLES H. PETIT, I
DIED JULY THE l2th 1871,
AGED 20 years, II months and 1 day.
the casket was then removed TO family vault IN
the rear OF the church. where 10 Will remain until
The fall. qfIer IL be con und e. pl,rt