Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1881-10-20

The work of a LawIess Assassin
Brought 10 Close Yesterday Morn
Ing-The Funeral Ceremonies 10
Take Place TO-DaY-Measures Pro-
posed for the Relief of His Family.


At five O'Clock yesterday morning Ser
geant Il. h. Harvey, Of the Savannah police,
who was shot during the labor riots, which
were inaugurated on the 10th Of September
last bY the negro laborers employed on the
Central Railroad wharf, died after 3 ling
ering period of suffering Of one month.
Everything which the affection Of his
family, the earnest regard of his many
friends and the unceasing attention Of his
watchful and skillful physicisns-Drs. Read
and McFarland-could do was done to save
a valuable life, endangered in the active and
fearless discharge Of duty, but sll In vain.
Yesterday morning his soul passed away
into the presence Of its Maker, and to-day
all that is mortal of one of the truest men
which Savannah has ever been able to count
upon, either as a citizen or as defender OF
her laws, will be consigned to the dust.
Sergeant Harvey was born In Bryan coun-
ty on the 24tb day of November, 1850, and
was therefore, at the time of his decease,
nearly thirty-one years OF age. He came to
this city In 1871, and on the 18th day OF Au-
gust OF that year was appointed member
/ of the Savannah police force. Almost from
the very day OF his joining the force he
showed himself to be honest In the extreme,
| fearless in any danger which he was called
upon to confront, active in the discharge Of
every duty. and in all respects thoroughly
reliable. Many were the notable instances
In which these characteristics were display
ed, and IN this connection We may mention
one which is still vivid IN the minds Of our
| citizens.
1t will be remembered that on the 31st of
| MAY, 1876, Mr.. Alexander Irving, when
returning from an excursion Of the Knights
| of Pythias with his little son, lost his foot
| ing and fell from the boat into the river.
| Mr.. Harvey, who was on the boat at the
time, saw him fall over and, without hesita-
ton, and impelled solely by desire to save
fellow man from death, plunged In after
him. Owing to the darkness, his effort
was unsuccessful, and both Mr.. Irving and
his child perished. The Knights, however,
recognized the unselhsh bravery Of the
noble deed, and, in token Of their apprecis-
ton thereof, presented Mr.. Harvey with a
gold medal, which his widow still has and
prizes most highly. We merely record this
| incident as illustrative of the true charac ter
Of the gallant officer and brave soul, whose
very bravery and gallantry led to his IN
timely end.
During his long and painful illness Ser
and with unfinching fortisude. To the last
he retained all his faculties and would con-
verse coOllY and sensiblY with friends about
his bedside regarding his approaching end.
| Never was there a more striking instance of
one being perfectly reconciled to leave the
world. Convinced that his life had been
square and true, and marked with fidelity to
ali trusts, he did not In the least dread
to meet the grim messenger. To the con-
trary, as the last solemn moment approach
ed, feeling that earthly friends were power
less to aid him longer, he unhesitatiDgly
put his whole trust in God, and knowing
that his faith was we'll founded, he feared
no dangeri Calmly and serenely he awaited
the time in patience when he should re-
ceive the welcome summons "Wen done
good and faithful servant; enter thou into
the Joy of thy Lord"
After his decease, Coroner sheftsll having
received due notification, proceeded to
where his body lay and held an inquest
over the remains. Doctors Read and Nc
Farlsnd and Messrs. John s. Higgins and
James G. Bennett were all examined under
oath, and gave in testimony establishing
the facts already detailed as to the cause OF
his death. The jury have not yet rendered
a verdict, having adjourned until four O'Clock
to-day TO further consider the evidence. Doc
tors Read, Charlton, Mcfarland, Duncan,
Myers, Sanders and Stone made an autopsy
in hopes of discovering the ball which had
produced the blood poisoning which caused
the wound to result fatally, bat 1t could not
be found. 1t was very small bullet, aud,
in the opinion of the physicians, had become
imbedded somewhere In the spinal column.
Sergeant Harvey leaves a wife and one
child, who are in straitened circumst ances.
II Is the universal opinion, as far as we have
heard It expressed, that the citizens of Sa-
| vannah owe it to him who gave his life in
their defense that these should be provided
for. To this end several OF his fri5 q yes
terday held a meeting, and, after e con-
sideration, concluded to request the fOlloW-
ing named gentlemen to meet az Armory
Hall to-day at II O'Clock, to decide upon the
best means for carrying out the object
proposed: Messrs. s. 2. Hamilton, r. Il.
Anderson, R. r. Richards, Thomas Ballau-
tyne, Joseph A. Roberts, Felix Prendergast,
Jacob Psulsen, Jacob Einstein, B. H. Levy,
Daniel O'Connor, 3. L. Neidlinger, E. Mo
ran, W. B. Nell, w. g. Waller, ID. b. Les
ter, J. L. Warren, r. N. Reed, James E.
Walters, f. NJ. Hull, r. Mcintyre, P. NJ.
Russell, ST., 8. B. Adams, P. II. Ward, Jor-
dan F. Brooks, j. j. Dale, Osceola Butler,
John Flannery, s. Guekenheimer, Marina
duke Hamilton, P. w. Meldrim, E. A. We'll,
W. W. Gordon, Il. NJ. Conner, George A.
Hudson, r. II. Lewis, W. II. Turner, W. NJ.
sneed and j. Stern.
We feel assured that It will only be neces-
sary to mention the subject to insure a
hearty and generous response. The people
of Savannah owe it to themselves to see
that the wife and child of the man who fell
q martyr to his duty, while protecting their
lives and property, should be raised above
al possibility Of want.
The funeral will take place this afternoon
at three O'Clock, at Trinity Methodist
Church, St. James square. The Masonic
fraternity, Of which he was q practical and
jealous member. the Knights OF Pythias and
. detachment of police will attend, and we
doubt not a large number Of our citizens
will avail themselves OF this opportunity to
pay their tribute to a brave, guileless, true
man. and show their appreciation Of bis