The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1877-12-18
LOCAL MATTERS.
Death of Colonel M g.. Haz
man.

Sudden Death Of Colonel M g.. Har-
man.
lie DIES on THE CHESAPEAKE AND OHIO
| TRATN-C1RCUMSTANcEsO OF THE SAD EVENT
| BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH OF THE DECEASED
I INTERESTING FACTS ABOUT HIS FAMILY
| HIS REMAINS TAKEN TO STANTON FOR IN
TERMENT. ii,
The community was greatly shocked early
yesterday morning at.hearing OF the sudden
death OF Colonel Michael G.. Harmnn, who
on Saturday had appeared on our streets
Hooking in vigorous health, and apparently
good for many years OF busy, energetic life.
THE CIRCUMSTANCES OF HIS DEATH.
The facts of his death were as follows !:
He went to his home, in Augusta, from his
temporary residence in this city on Satur-
1 day night last and spent Sunday there, and
Monday morning at 1850 he took the cars
for Richmond again. taking the sleeper. At
Charlottesville he felt somewhat unwell, and
got up for short time. On lying down, as
he afterwards said, he experienced excru-
ciating pains across his chest for some time,
but finally fell asleep, and was awakened at
HewletCs, and got up and sat down on the
lounge in the smoking-room OF the car.
There Major Jed. Hotchkiss, who had also
just risen. joined him, it being just before
the whistle sounded for Richmond.
TIE CAUSE OF HIS DEATH.
10 him he related the circumstances Of
the pain he had experienced, saying that
perhaps he exaggerated it, as he had never
bad pain across his chest in his life; but
ne remarked that he felt better, in fact was
we'll again. Major Hotcbkiss then asked
him about the canal, and how soon it would
be open for traffic again. To this he replied
that seventy miles OF it would be open this
week, and that all of it would have been
open il Richmond had at once responded to
the call for aid, so great was the energy
and business tact of President John
ston. Colonel Hartman was proceeding
! to speak farther in praise of Major john
ston, when, just after the engine was de.
tached at the Richmond station, Major
Hotchkiss noticed that he halted in his
speech and leaned somewhat heavily on his
shoulder (thcy were sitting side by side(,
and as he looked him in the face he saw him
gasp two or three times for breath, and be-
came conscious Of the fact that he was dead,
for his breath was gone and only tlutter-
ing Of his pulse could be observed.
FRIENDS TAKE CHARGE OF THE BODY.
Just then the train stopped at the station.
Here Mr.. Lee, one OF Garber's bag
gage agents, came along, and promptly
responded to q request that he would
call the ambulance and obtain physician.
DR.. j. c. Jordan, Of Church Hill, was soon
there, and pronounced Colonel Harman
lifeless. His body was then removed to the
ladies' rcception-room OF the Chesapeake
and Ohio railroad. and Major CARRIER, 4
near relative Of the deceased, was sent for.
He soon came and took charge Of the re-
mains, sending for an undertaken to place
the body in coffin, as his remains would
be taken to Staunton last night.
TRIBUTES OF RESPECT.
The sad news spread rapidly, and soon
General Echols, Major Hanger, and other
friends, came to see IL they could render
any assistance and to pay the tribute Of their
respect to the memory Of good and noble
hearted man. ..
The sad task of imparting the dreadful
news to Mrs. Hartman, at 807 Grace street,
where she was awaiting the expected arri-
val OF her husband, devolved on Major
Hotchkiss. 1t is needless to say that the
interview was heartrending.
THE SAD NEWS SENT TO sTAUNToN.
News OF the event was at once sent to
Staunton to Lewis, Alexander. and Asher,
sons of the deceased, and HIS brother, Col
onel Asher w. Harman, and to Baltimore
to DR.. Opie, and to Augusta, Ga, to DR..
Eve, his sons-in-law.
The sons came down on the mail train
Yesterday afternoon, and returned last night
with their bcreaved mother and the remains
of their father.
SKETCH OF THE DECEASED.
Colonel Harman, whose full name was
Michel CARRIER Harman (his mother beinga
Garber), was born in Augusta county in Au-
gust, 1922. In early life he showed great ell
ergy Of purpose, and was soon engaged eX-
tensively in the stage business, having en- in
terest in nearly every line that centred at
Staunton, and being the principal owner Of
the line from Winchester, Va, to Knoxville,
Tenn. In word, he was the master spirit OF
The stage-business in Virginia. When the
war came on he became Colonel Of the Fifty
second Virginia infantry, and while CON-
manding it at the battle OF Mcdowell was
wounded. subsequently he was made quar-
termaster OF the post Mt Staunton, and in
this position evinced the same inGomitable
energy which had characterized him in the
conduct of his own privste business. He
was the first president of tie Valley railroad,
and it may be said that he inaugurated that
Robert E. Lee might take his place. He
was frequently a member of the Staunton
City Council, but held no other elective
office. In politics he was originally Demo-
crat, though living in the strong Whig
county OF Augusta, and was ever leading
spirit among its leaders. -,....,r.... i -,.
In 1860 he espoused the,cause OF Stephen
A. Douglas, and presided over the Douglas
Convention held in Staunton in 1850.
With the organization of the Conserva-
tive party in Virginia he became one of its,
conspicuous members. Only a few years
ago he was houored by being chosen as one
OF the presiding officers Of a State sconven-
ton OF his party held at the Theatre in this
city. He was delegate from the Augusta
congressional district to the last National
Democratic Convention, and battled with
his accustomed zeal, to the last for Hen
bricks, but. when the Convention decided
against him he moved to make the nemina-
ton OF TiIden unanimous. In the recent
State elections he showed that none OF his
zeal in politics had abated.
HIS CHRISTIAN CHARACTER.
About five years ago Colonel Harman
connected himself with Trinity (Episcopal)
church at Staunton, and became prominent
" identified with the Young Mems Chris
tian Association of that city. AS one who
knew him well informs us, he was always
at its meetings and an active participant in
its good works.
OF the five brothers only Colonel A. W.
Harman remains. Captain Thomas Harman
was killed Mt the Second battle OF Manassas,
and General w. H. Harman Tin 1864 at
Waynesboro'. Major John A. Hartman,
who was StonewalI Jackson's quartermas-
ter, died few years ago at Staunton.
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