The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1902-12-23
MAJ. HARRELL DEAD
Brief Cable Received Here
Gives no Particulars.
Mr.. John |, Harel Who Wires the News VIII
Sail For The United States
at Once.
at Once.


\ Father dead. Leave on Sherman. 4
X Letter. HARRELL. y
4 i.
%.* x \ 4 X <
The above cablegram was received yes
terday by Mr.. Frank BEDFORD from Mr..
John Harrell, now at Manila, announcing
the death of his father, Major Eugene
Graham Harrell who is chief clerk to the
Quartermaster of the American forces
at Manila. The news was a great sur
prise and shock, as there har been no in
timation of Major Harrell's illness. On
Saturday last Mrs. John B. Neathery,
his MOTHER law, received box from
Major Harrell, and a short time before
had received a letter from him. About
a month ago the editor of this paper re-
ceived letter from Major Harrell, con-
tanning clipping from newspaper-the
speech made by Major Harrell in pre-
senting a handsome silver service to the
Quartermaster General. He wrote fire.
quently to Mrs. Neathery who had no
intimaton of his illness Upon receipt
of the telegram, Mr.. Bedford informed
Mrs. Neathery and wired the news to
Major Harrell's father at Dunn. No par
ticulars have been received of his death.
His body will be brought on the trans
port Sherman, and he will be buried be-
side his wife in lakewood Cemetery in
Raleigh.
Major Harrell was 81 years old last
January. He was a son OF Rev. w. B.
Harrell, a we'll known Baptist minister
now living at Dunn. His mother was a
daughter Of Rev Amos Battle, long a
leading divine of the Baptist church, who
was once pastor of the First Baptist
church in Raleigh. 1t was under his pas
torate that the church, on the corner of
Wilmington and Morgan streets, was
built As boy Major Harrell showed
the spirit of adventure that characterized
his last years. He went to sea in his
boyhood and several years stood before
the mast Before he had attained his
Europe and travelled in other foreign
lands He had a passion for travel
which lasted him to his latest day.
In 1865, as a young man, Mr.. Harrell
came to Raleigh. He was industrious,
progressive, wideawake, always had his
wits about him, and soon was a leader
among the young men with whom he as
ISOLATED. His business push and enter
prise was noted by the older business
men and he obtained clerkship with the
leading book house of the State--Alfrcd
Williams & Co., with which as clerk and
partner he was long associated and
where he did his best work. IL 1879 he
married Miss Rosa Lee Neathery, the
beautiful and only daughter of the late
John B. Neathery. In partnership with
Maj. Neathery, the bookstore of Alfred
Williams &, Co., was purchased. That
concern published a number of North
Carolina school books, histories and Maj.
Harrell established a popular educational
magazine, called "The North Carolina
Teacher" In that mafiazine and through
the press Major Harrell urged the organ
ization of the North Carolina Teachers
Assembly. The proposition was seconded
by the leading educators and it was or
ganized at WayneSville in 1884. Major
Harrell was elected its first secretary
and was it's most active spirit several
years. He was the main spirit in build
ing the Teachers Assembly building at
Morehead City. AS secretary of the
Assembly he arranged excursions OF
teachers and others to various points IN
the country. TO Cuba. and a European
tour He was prominent factor at one
time in the educational, religious and
commercial life of the State. He was
once superintendent of the Sunday school
of the First Baptist church. Secretary
of the Chamber of Commerce, and active
in military and civil celebrations. He
was bundle of energy, and his public
spirit was enthusiastic and contagious.
Upon the death of Major Neathery, it
became necessary, under the terms OF
his will, for the business of the firm of
Alfred Williams & Co. to be wound up
1t was bought by other parties and Major
Harrell retired from business. Shortly
thereafter, when the Spanish American
war began he enlisted and was given
service in the uartermaster's department.
His activity, his capacity and his all
round knowing how to do things and to
keep up with details gave him promo
ton. From Cuba ne went to the Philip
pines. where he was promoted at Manila
to be Chief Clerk in the Quartermaster S
Department 1t was while serving in that
place that the end came-how or when
is not vet known. His heart was In
Raleigh in all his voyages. In the last
letter received by Mrs. Neathery, on
November 9th, Major Harrell said that
he had often of late been dreaming of
his dead wife (Mrs Neathery's only
daughter), and dreaming that he was
with her Was it the premonition of the
death to come so soon? Soon the last
that is mortal of Eugene Graham Har-
rell will rest in lakewood beside the body
Of his wife, who died in the bloom of
Young womanhood in the lovely city
where both were welded, surrounded
-, no,, crr.a t11l tod hN hosts of frinndS