The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1896-12-27
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GEN. c. w. PHIFER DEAD.
Died at the Savannah Hospital From
"a Christmas Fall.

Gen. c. w. Phifer, an account of whose
accident appeared in yesterdays Morning
News died at the Savannah hospital at II
O'Clock. The circumstances of his death
are peculiarly sad and regrettable.
The deceased was a man who had at
one time stood high in the esteem OF all
who knew him. He entered the confeder-
ate service from Texas and rose from one
rank to another until he reached the COM
mand of brlgadier general in the western
army. He is said to have been a gallant
officer.
After the war he followed his profess
sion as a civil engineer in which he Is
said TO have been very competent. He
came to Savannah seven or eight years
ago and held several positions on the gov
eminent work in this vicinity. His intem-
perate habits, however made it impossi-
BILE for him to retain any position perma-
nently. and for the last few years he has
led desultory existence, working occa-
sionally as book canvasser. He was
highly educated, being especially well
versed in the ancient and modern clas-
sizes.
When drinking he was bolsterous and
quarrelsome, but when sober he was a
genial and companionable man. He is
said to have been highly connected socially
IN Texas. The funeral will take place at
O'Clock this afternoon from the SaVan-
nah hospital The deceased was not con-
nected with either of the confederate
Veterans camps here, but the Morning
News mas been requested to invite the
confederate veterans of the city to attend
the funeral.
Gen. Phifer entered Abrams saloon, on
Bull street, about l o'clock Christmas
day and called for drink He was in
tOxicated and the baFkeeper refused Ia
sell him anything. He went out, but re-
turned a little later and again asked for
a drlnk, when he was again refused. lie
turned from the counter and started back
TO the rear of the place. The place was
fun of people at the time, and no further
attention was paid to him. Some time
later the colored cook Informed Mr.
Abrams that there was a man living AT
the foot Of the cellar steps. An inyestiga-
ton was made, and II was found to be
Ten. Phifer. he was unconscious when
round. ne was brought up from the cell
lar and laid on the floor.
A telephone message was sent To the
police barracks for the ambulance. The
ambulance was out answering another
can. A street wagon was called, the old
man was placed In II and sent to the pos
ice barrakcs in charge of the negro
driver. The negro drove to the Haber-
sham street entrance of the police bar
racks lie did not give any Information
as TO who the man was, or how he came
20 get hurt, or now badly he was hurt
The attaches Of the station helped him
unload the man and carry him into the
turkeys office where he was laid on fhe
floor; The nature of the accident wouid
not have been known had not Detective
- Basch of the Central railroad come I'M
Detective Basch Informed chief McDer-
mott or the accident. Judging from the
appearance OF Gen. Phfer that he was
seriously hurt. the chief ordered him
taken 10 the Savannah hospital al once
wnich was done. The only Injury notice,
able Al the barracks was "a confusion on
the back Of the head. II was stated I'd
the hospital that death resulted from ln-
widow.