The Rutland daily globe. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1873-1877, 1877-06-29
Hon. Peter Harvey.

The death of Peter Harvey was not un-
anticipated. For many months his failing
condition has not escaped the notice of bis
many friends. His greeting was none the
less cordial than il ever was, and his ex-
pressions of friendly interest in the welfare
of those he respected suffered no abate.
ment, but his own hold upon lite seemed to
be weakening, and bis mind contempla ed
that parting with calm resignation. After
some weeks of severe illness he died at the
Parker house Boston, at quarter before
one o'clock Wednesday morning.
The events OF Mr.. Harvey's life have been
many and Of peculiar interest. His long
and intimate associations with Daniel Web
have given him a prominence, and we are
happy 10 know that he has dictated his
"reminiscences of Mr.. Webster to a most
competent person, and they will be pub
lshed next fall.
Mr.. Harvey was born in Barnet, VT,
July 10, 1910, and early in life entered a
hardware establishment in Boston, and sub
seqlently engaged In business on his own
acc unt. He was president of TIE Kilby
bank, and afterward was engaged in rail-
road enterprises, and as agent for the late
Cakes Ames was employed in various
ways.
His political career dates from 1868
when he was chosen a member of the Mas
sachusetts senate. He won the respect OF
all the members and at the close of the SEES
sion he threw open his residence for re.
ception, which was marked ty presen,a.
| ton to the late Jonathan L, i ED, ther
| president of tue seLa e. Ia 1868 and 1870
lie was a member of the executive council
and though the sole representative of The
democratic parry, he won that popularity
which CONES from frsnkness of manner auC
| personal aff ability a hich were characters
tic of bim. 10 1868 he ran for congress
against the late osmuel Hooper and was
defeated.
He was one of the originators of thu
"Marshfield club" which was formed will
view of doing honor to the memory o.
Mr.. Webster. He was not only true to hi
friend while living, but he was faithful t.
his family after his death. No man in any
sphere of life ever had truer friend thai
Mr.. Harvey proved himself to Mr.. Web
sler. One of his latest acts evince thu
quality OF his friendships. The Washing
ION medals came intothe possession of Mr
Webster, and subsequently, they wer
pledged by member of bis family. Mr.
Harvey redeemed them, as he had IT deemed
the Webster vase years before, and thel
/ aA IL In tho AY1hltn Hh,aeu xuh
row remains. He rescued the medals AM
then he made the Massachusetts historical
society the perpetual custodian OF these in
valuable mementoes. When the presenta
lion was made at private residence, Mr.
Harvey courted no notoriety, and he re
| ereited the publicity given to the affair
This donation called forth at the Tim
april, 1874 many comments. The Ne'
York Iri6Dno made these comments
"Mr. Peter Harvey, the best friend ma
: needing trends ever had, found that iheG
, medals had been pledged. and forthwith
put his hand into bis bree ches pocket, wbei
Il had gone 80 many times on asimilar erranC
and redeemed the curious coinage. TIL
Q more we know OF Mr.. Harvey's relation
a to the great senator and secretary, the moi
we are Inclined to admire him. He seen
to have acted from sheer revefance fl
+ what he considered 10 DO Mr.. Webster
4 greatness. There is no touch OF the toad,
!, nothing of the Boswell, In Mr.. Peter Ha
y vey. He simply found man Of great Il
u telleoiual force utterly incapable OF takir
l. care of himself, and 80 chsritably volu
% teered all sorts of good offices. A perfect
' free, honest and undlgniaed Life OF M
. Web.ter, written by Mr.. Harvey, would
y one of the most interesting bits OF blograpl
's In the language"
IT Mr.. Harvey was not rich man, neith
10 was he money getter. He Was liberal