The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1898-02-26
MAJOR sELoVER rs DEAD.
The soldier. Forty-riner. and Spectator whe
Onco Assaulted Jay GouId.

Ihe Soidier, Eorty-riner, ana SpeCulAtof VINE,
Onco Assaulted Jay Could.
After an adventurous life spent in the pursuit
Of the dollar over the length and breadth of this
continent. with occasional excursions beyond
its limits. Major Abba A. selover died on Wed.
nesday, where he had often .aid that he never
expected to die. in his bed. His death was
caused by diabetes, from which he had been a
sufferer for some years. and II took place at the
Post Graduate Hospital, where he went for
treatment a few days ago. His nearest surviv.
ing relative 10 his sister, Mrs. L. L. Durham of
200 West Seventy-eighth street.
Major Selover was born 70 years ago in Tomp-
kins county. and at the age of IL years came to
this city with his parents. They lived here but
a year, moving to Cleveland. where the boy got
his education in the High School. In 1888 he
took up the study Of law, but concluded that his
abilities lay in other directions, and entered the
employ Of a mercantile firm. In 1916 the Mexi-
can war broke out. Young Selover had heard
tales OF the fabulous mineral wealth of Mexico.
and, as the easiest way Of getting to it. he on
listed in the United States Army. 1t took him
some time to get there by this means. as the
transport on which he sailed collided with a
steamer fifty miles out at sea and just succeeded
in making her dock in this city before she sank.
Then the young soldier WAS ordered to Join Gen.
Scott's army at Vera Cruz, and later no became
n member of the staff of Major Lally. whose
business 1t was to march to the City of Mexico
and capture it.
This was accomplished, and Selovor Joined the
expedition that set out to capture Gen. Santa
Ana. under tho leadership OF Brig. Gen. Lane.
He WAS none the worse soldier for being n for
tune hunter, and he was honorablym mentioned for
bravery several times in the reports. Moxico
ttTta a sur i house W Whe r. GiieheeSa eo%Id' be- 0hhs sS f SG
the picking OF them up: so Tho young man, now
an oiiCer. came TO this city and again took
mn huSinnSR hfR I,ut the rOntina Of tho lifa
The discovery of gold in California
miner. In San Francisco his military training
stood him in good stead. He was soon recog-
and Was elected a member OF the fret Common
Council of the city. He became Chairman Of the
Gommittce Of n . tn and ID Police when The
splendid service among the frightened people.
At the same time he made n considerable for
Even the stirring life of San Francisco in
those days was not exciting enough for the
pI ednf OF o 1872 4 was lifted out to capture tho fM,
Islands with the connivance Of King Kamcha.
meha. he Joined 1t. Bitter was his opposition
10 the abandonment of the Man, and bitter his
disappointment when 1t was hnally abandorc7.
President Pierce offered him the Postmaster:
went into the real estate business. He was as.
ISOLATED with Fremont in the great Mariposa
estate deal, Whereby seventy square miles Of ter
900. 600 in stock and 81 .500,0OO In bonds" Attic
beginning OF tho civil war Mr.. Selover; who was
buy arms for tho Federal Government, md on
his return he went into Wall street. He was
episodes in the career of the late jay Gould. In
1878 Gould. James r. Keene and Major Selovcr
Union. The two latter sold steadily, but some.
body upset their plans by huying in just ms in
day in front OF "A basement barber shop on EX.
change place. Major Selover seized him by tho
throat and threw him down the areaway.
Gould was not injured seriously.
For the last seventeen wears Major Selover
had lived Mt tho Park Avenue Hotel. He had
been a widower for twenty years. his wife hav-
Ing been Miss Harriet Arms OF Buffalo. The
funeral services will be held this afternoon at 2
o'clock in tho Church of the Mossinh. Thirty
fourth street and Park avenue. The interment
will be at WoodlRwn.