Fairhaven herald. [volume] (Fairhaven, Wash.) 1890-????, 1891-08-23
THE LATE HARRY MAHAN
A Victim of Kleptomania Who Met His
Death in a Tragic Manner


Death in "a Tragic Manner
The facts intimately connected with
the unfortunate career and sad end
ing Of little Harry Mahan, have not
yet been published Brief items, de-
failing the acts Of this afflicted boy,
were from time to time told in the
current issues Of the HERALD, but they
were statements Of facts showing the
deceased To- be desperate incOrrigible,
with no cxtenuating circumstances
reCited TO excuse him Of the terrible
crimes committed from time TO time,
which not only brought sorrow TO the
hearts Of his parents and brothers and
sisters, but placed the public on the
raggcd-cdge Of expectancy, no one
knowing what would be the next yiO-
lent act.
His parents state that in his earliest
infancy one Of his desires was 10 pro-
cure matches and see them burn and
at one time, while only "A few years
old, he attempted TO burn down the
parental roof. Very early he dcycl-
Oped the disease Of klcptOmana. His
thefts were never appropriate 10 his
own use the money and articles taken
by him, but often, as in the case Of
the last petit larceny committed by
him in Fairhaycn, he gave TO others
the money stolen. A few Of his acts
were the firing Of building here, the
taking Of a watch, and later $40 In
money. IL is the opinion, Of eminent
physicians, that little Harry was pre-
natally inclined 10 klcptOmania and
that he was no more responsible for
his acts than an insane person. lie
was a child Of good disposition, at
home kind 10 his sisters and brothers
and Obedient TO his parents requests.
Before sending him TO the reform
school at Chchalis, Judge Winn, Major
| Cole and the boys father discussed the
matter, and IL was thought the best
! thing for Harry TO be sent where he
would be under discipline and have an
opportunity TO procure an education.
| IL was intended by his father TO put
him in the navy If possible, at the end
| OF his term in the reform school.
But all who have read the papers
| will remember the announcement Of
IIarry's death at Tacoma while at
! tempting 10 make his way home after
his escape from the school. The car
which struck the little fellow in the
head crushed the back Of his skull, but
! in no other way bruised or mutilatcd
his features or body. On receiving d
telegram from the undertaken at Ia
coma, II. +. Mahan, father Of the dc
ceased, at once left for that place.
The remains were neatly placed In a
casket and the ladies OF the WOmcn's
| Relief Corps decorated the narrow
home Of the poor unfortunate, and In
other ways, known only TO the gentleI
sex, assisted in the funeral ceremonies
The remains were buried in the G.. A
r. cemetery at Tacoma, and the sad
dened parent returned 70 his home u
comfort the gricf-strickcn mother.
On Friday night the members OF
Fairhaven Lodge, A. q. u. W, passed
the following resolutions Of sympathy
Whereas, Brother Past Master
Workman II. +. Mahan and family
have met with sad loss In the sud
den and violent death Of their afflicted
son and brother, and
b Whereas, it is our privilege and dutl
10 show our feelings toward a brothe
: in distress, therefore be il
Resolved, that the members Of Fair
haven Lodge No. 90, A. .. u. w, ii
= lodge assembled, do hereby extend u
) Brother Mahan and family our mos
earnest sympathy in their bereaye
70 ment.
D BE it further resolved, that thes
( resolutions be spread upon the record
! OF the lodge and copy of the same b
{ furnished 10 the afflicted brother.