The Savannah morning news., 1904-07-10
SAW TOMBSTONE
BEFORE DEATH
SERGT. JOHN B. KILLoURHY.
PASSING AWAY OF VETERAN OF
SAVANNAH'S POLICE FORCE.

Came to This Country From County
Claire, Ireland, and Took Up His
Residence in Savannah-Displaye
Active Interest in Political Move
ments in His Native Land and
Could Discuss Her Wrongs Force
fuIly-Few Days Before He Died
He Visited Cemetery Where His
Grave Was Ready.
John B. Killourhy, a retired sergeant
of police, died yesterday afternoon at
o'clock at st. Joseph's Hospital
He had been in failing health for
several years, and had been confined
to his bed most of the time. Some
months ago he was operated on. one
of his legs being amputated.
One of the eccentricities of Sergt.
Killourhy in his last few months was
his desire to have his tombstone and
grave ready for him when death came
With this end in view he contract
ed with a marble worker for a
slab and tombstone, and ten
days ago the stone was set up In Ca
thedral Cemetery. On the stone was
Sergt. Killourhys name and date of
birth, with a blank left for the day of
his death.
Last Saturday he insisted on be-
ing driven to see the stone, and though
he had hardly been out of the hospi-
tai for three years, he accomplished
his desire and looked upon the shaft
which was to mark his last resting
place.
Savv His TonhsfOua
Now I don't care how soon 1t is"
he said, as he got ready to return. II
am satisfied to die
When he reached the hospital he
seemed to give up the struggle and
sank gradually and quietly to his last
sleep.
Sergt. Killourhy was born in County
Claire, Ireland, in 1912. Over forty
years ago he came to Savannah, and
soon afterwards became connected
with the Savannah police department,
connection which was maintained,
with the exception of a short interval,
for over thirty-five years.
On Jan. II, 1885, he was elected to a
place on the police force, and resigned
on June Is, 1867. On Dec. Is, 1869, he
was reinstated, and on Jan. 9, 1878, was
made a sergeant. In 1891 he was elect
ed assistant chief of police, with the
rank OF lieutenant.
Two years later he was defeated for
the position, but on the same day
Council made an exception of the age
limit in his case and elected him to the
position of sergeant under a special
act. In this rank he served until the
fall of 1899, when he was retired on a
pension.
a Giant in Size.
In personal appearance Sergt. Kill
lourhy was almost a giant, his hight
being about feet inches. When
mounted on his horse he presented
quite a formidable sight as he rode
through the streets.
Quiet and unobtrusive, he was an
entertaining talker and made a large
circle of friends while he lived in Sa-
Vannah. One of his favorite studies
was the political situation in Ireland
and so we'll was he posted that he could
talk for hours on the Liberal and Par
liamentary movements, and on the
struggle of his native country for po-
litical independence.
When the news of his death reached
the police station yesterday afternoon
the flag which adorns the building was
lowered to half mast, and the older
members of the force spoke feelingly
of their departed comrade.
Though he had many friends in this
city, Sergt. Killourhy had no rela-
tives. From the house of one of
his warmest friends, Mr.. N. J. Jones,
of No. 402 Liberty street, east, the
funeral services will be held. The ar
rangements have not yet been COM
pleted.