The daily morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1883-1899, 1896-08-05
A HERO GONE.
Short Sketch Of the Life OF Captain
A. T. Harris.

The funeral OF the late Captain Al.
Harris took place yesterday afternoon
at Fort Candy. In accordance with
his oft-expressed wish. he was laid
here beside the body OF his niece, Liz
zle. Notwithstanding the inclemency
OF the weather. a large concourse OF
the citizens OF Ilwaco and vicinity fol-
lowed the body 10 the fort, where they
were Joined by the entire population of
the post: all. officers, soldiers and
civilians. anxious TO pay their last
tribute OF respect 20 the noble quail
ties Of the deceased.
A guard OF honor composed OF the
members OF the life saving service,
escorted the casket, which was heap
ed with choice floral tributes, to the
pretty little military cemetery. Here.
in peaceful glade. where the hoarse
roar OF old ocean is tuned to a low.
mournful cadence. the impressive bur-
ial service was read. AS the casket
was lowered into the earth, a detach-
ment OF soldiers fired a volley over
the grave. and the last parting salute
mingled with and was swallowed up
In the ceaseless diapason OF the Nigh
ty surge.
Captain A. T. Harris died at Il
waco OF Inflammation Of the bowels,
on Sunday afternoon. after an illness
OF only four days.
1t is with genuine sorrow that many
will learn that this brave. generous, |
lovable spirit is no more. Passing
away in the prime Of life, his short |
existence was filled with daring deeds |
for his fellow man, and TO the many |
who knew and loved him. the follow
ing short sketch Of his life will be of
interest:
Captain Harris was born forty-nine
years ago in Buffalo, n, Y. and came
OF sturdy stock whose activities ever
sought an outlet in adventure and en-
terprise. An older brother, Arnold
Harris, was a valued officer of the Sc
cret service of the government during
the civil war, and successfully car
ried through some most dangerous un-
dertakings. Imbued with the same
bold and fearless spirit, AL, when but
at the outbreak OF the war. TO enlist
in the Union cause. On account of his
youth he found considerable difficulty
in accomplishing his object; and trav-
elled from town to town before a re-
cruiting officer could be found who
would accept his statement that he
had reached the age limit He was
one of the very youngest boys to carry
a musket all through the war. He
received but one serious wound, and
at the close of the war was mustered
out. youth of 10, with his love of ad-
venture yet unquenched.
The golden West then tempted his
daring spirit, and following the star
of empire, he spent several years of
exciting adventure in the then remote
western territories and finally came
to Oysterville, on Shoalwater bay, in
1869.
Here he was married to Sophia,
daughter of Richard Carruthers, and
sister of Robert Carruthers, of this
city. Tiring of the humdrum life of
Shoalwater Bay, he came TO the Col
river, and for many years was
a we'll known and trusted master of
several of the smaller steam vessels
of this vicinity, Those who remember
the old "Varuna," and Gen. Miles"
will recall his skill and courage.
About the year 1879 his merits secured
him the appointment as keeper of the
Fort Candy Life Saving station, where
his energies found their proper sphere
of usefulness; and where he remained,
honored and trusted by his superiors
until a few years ago, when he resign
ed from the service and purchased
and settled down upon a farm near
Ilwaco.
His services as a life saver while
at Fort Candy were recognized by the
government as the most valuable of
any in the department, and the saw
ing of some hundreds of lives has
been placed to the credit of himself
and his crew. In the prosaic reports
of the life saving service, the name of
Fort Candy figures most prominently.
and many a deed Of gallant courage
is chronicled therein. dry and un-
adorned, which. If the details could
be written. would thrill the hearts of
all who love the deeds Of the hero.
Himself, absolutely without fear, his