The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1874-04-16
DEATH OF COL. WILLIAM HARVEY
SELLERS.

settled on Mill creek, IN the present. COunty
of Austin, where he lived two years. He
then moved TO LaGrange, Fayette county,
where he died in 1888, leaving widow and
five children, of whom Harvey was the
eldest
In 1912 the deceased, then only fifteen
wears of age, Joined the Inflated Mier ex-
pedition; was captured by the Mexicans,
was one of those who were compelled to
draw lots when tenth of the captives were
doomed to death. They were afterwards
taken to the City of Mexico, and thence to
Perote. and imprisoned in the castle. Young
Sellers, with another lad Of the same age,
was offered his liberty on parole never to
fight against Mexico, but he refused the
condition, and remained with the other
prisoners until all were released, nearly two
wears after their capture.
Returning to Texas, he devoted himself
to the care and education OF his younger
brothers and sisters, for whom he showed
the care and solicitude of father
When the war between the United States
and Mexico broke out, in 1845, young Sell
lers volunteered in Capt. afterwards colonel
and general) Tom Greene's company, IL the
regiment of the famous Texas Rangers,
Col. John G. Hays, and. participated IN the
storming of Monterey and the attendant
events.
He settled in the city of Houston in
1S4S, and engaged in mercantile pursuits,
remaining until 1851, when he removed to
New York, and became a member of the
commercial firm of Bowman, Sellers ~ Co.
When the war between the States broke
out in 1861, he returned to Texas and joined
the Bayou City Guards, of which company
he was elected second lieutenant. When
the company was attached to the Fifth
Regiment of Texas troops he was made adj
iutant, and when that command was at
tached to Hoods brigade he was continued
in the Office with the rank of captain; and
so, when Hood was made division com
mander he became adjutant with the rank
of lieutenant colonel, and was promoted to
the position of colonel when Hood was as
signed an army corps. At the second battle
of Manassas Col. Sellers commanded the
left wing of Hoods army, and he was after
wards recommended for promotion tothe
position of brigadier by Gen. Longstreet.
He served during the entire war, being one
of the first to volunteer and among the last
who laid down their arms in 1865.
After the war he returned to New York,
and became partner in the house of j. ii.
Brewer 81 Co., remaining until the winter
of 1S67-6S, when he returned to Texas and
settled in Galveston, where he embarked
and continued in business until his death,
which cast gloom over the whole business
community and large circle OF his other
friends. The Cotton Exchange was closed
and draped IN mourning on account OF the
event, and there was general expression OF
sorrow among all who knew HIM.
Though Injured to danger and hardship in
early life, a gallant soldier, and one who
had faced death on many fields, he was a
man Of mild and pleasant manners, full OF
kindness and regard for the feelings and
welfare of others. His younger brothers
and sisters were full of gratitude toward
him, for his fostering care when they were
orphans, exposed to the privations and per-
lis of early times in Texas. His own
children were the objects of his ex-
IRENE solicitude, and he had located them
in Virginia, under the belief that he was
thus affording them the best means In his
power to promote their usefulness and hap
piness in future life. His bereayed wife
and children, in their sudden and over
whelming affiiction, have the sincere SYM
pathies Of all who knew the husband and
father they win see no more. He is, by re-
quest of the widow, (received yesterday by
telegraph to be buried in Houston, by the
side of two of their children there inferred.
The citizens of Galveston instituted
measures to do honor to the remains and the
memory of Col. Sellers. His death is a
loss to the State of Texas. he was model
of the old Texas ranger.
When mere youth be gave indications
of a strict and refined sense of propriety and
of his moral obligations. His manhood re-
deemed those early pledges.
When the Mier prisoners reached Mata-
moros many Of them were entertained at the
house OF an American gentleman, whose
wife is stln living. A few years since she
was speaking of the circumstance, and men
toned the interest she took in fine-look-
ing, black-eyed boy. ''He was so manly
and bore his imprisonment with sol much
fortitude. I noticed that when my eyes
were not on him-as he supposed would
embrace my children and tears would steal
down his cheeks. knew he was thinking
Of home. managed TO draw him out. he
said he cared little for the sufferings
and privations he knew he had to encOun-
ter, that he could bear them without finch
ing; that what gave him the most regret
was the fact of his having left home with
out his mothers leave, and with a knOWl-
edge OF how necessary his services were to
her"
The lady said: 81 believe his given
name was Harley. / wish could learn
what became Of him"
The reply was: Madam, that boy was
Harvey Sellers. He was one Of the most
chivalrOus defenders Of the republic Of
Texas one Of her best citizens, and in the
late civil war his blade was one Of the
brightest and keenest that flashed beneath
the Southern cross.
It is seldom that a man is gifted with Sc
many qualities to cause Others to respect
and love Kim. He had the lifelong conf
denee and esteem Of all who knew him. In
the varied relations Of life, IN the checkered
scenes through which he passed, as eiti
zen, q soldier, nan Of business. and in hi.
domestic relations, he was beloved
A burning light has been extinguished, 1
master spirit has been summoned oanOthel
land, column Of majestic proportions ha.
been cleft, and name has been erased from
the roll Of living Texan heroes. Helives in Il,
hearts Of our people. and WIN live in histor.
IS long IS worth. patriotism and gallsntr,
are appreciated By historians.
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