The Washington herald., 1909-05-06

George ". Harvey, the originator Of
steamed oysters. and one Of the founders
Of ''Hsrvey's." one OF the most famous
oyster houses in the United States. died
at his home. S25 Massachusetts avenue
northwest, early yesterday morning. He
was sixty-nine years OF age.
Funeral services Will be held tomorrow
afternoon at st. Partcks Church. IN.
termeRt viii be in Mount OIive1 Cemetery
Final arrangements for the services VIII
be made to-day.
Mr.. Harvey had been IN for several
months. During the last two weeks he
had been confined 10 his bed. and owing
TO his advanced age 1t was known his
chances Of recovery were slight He IS
survived by his wife. who was his third
one son, George S. Harvey. Of Little
Rock, Ark. and four daughters. Mrs. J.
Fendall Cain. Mrs. L. A Fisher. and
Mrs W. S. Mccarthy. all living here
and Mrs. Charles F. Stiles. Of Orange.
y. J.
A "Sight" of Washington.
'Harveys" was. and Is. one % the
sights OF Washington. It Is the mecca
for all those who desire good things in
the form OF sea food. Il IS the birthplace
OF steamed oysters During the civil war
Union soldiers thronged the Capital
Many Of them objected 20 the oyster In
the Uncooked state They wanted oysters
cooked, and accordingly Harvey provided
for them oysters boiled in the shells.
From this was evolved what has come
70 be known as steamed oysters" by
many persons regarded Is one OF the
most delicious dishes known 10 man.
Presidents. Senator's. members o. the
House, justices Of re Supreme Court
members OF the diplomatic corps. and
nearly al prominent foreign visitors have
taken occasion 10 dine al Harvey's.
All sorts OF stories are told OF Col Har-
Yey and his famous restaurant Admiral
Bob Evans IN his book, The Sailors
Log tells OF his experiences st Harvsy's 8
during the civil war.
L was in ls63 that Harvey's steamed
oysters received their Official recognition
from the government This recognition
came in ths shape or a request from
Mrs Seward. wife OF the Secretary OF
State. who asked the Harvey Brothers
70 prepare a steamed oyster supper for
President and Mrs. Lincoln. A private
room was decorated for the occasion
President and Mrs. Lincoln and Secre-
tary and Mrs. Steward sat down to e
private steamed oyster feast.
Harvey's restaurant has been eulcglzed
IN prose and poetry and acclaimed in
works Of fiction
Col Harvey. with his brother, Thomas
N Harvey. established the restaurant IL
Is56. Il was opened first as an oyster
house. and later enlarged. until Il be-
came one OF the leading frst-class din
ing-rooms OF Washington. Il attained
great success during the civil war period
and has been successful ever since.
Mast Drew Cartoon There
Thomas Mast was a patron Of Harvey's.
While al the restaurant he drew the
famous "AIIs Wen that Ends WeH' car
toon- Several clubs have FOR years made
Z an annual practice 10 meet az Har-
vey's. Among them are the Canvasback
Club. formed there in ISs5. and the Tape
worm Club. comprising the New York
delegation in Congress. which has had
many distinguished guests. including
Speakers Reed. Henderson. and Cannon.
The first home OF Harvey's was an old
brick blacksmith shop az Eleventh and
c streets northwest. Il was opposite the
celebrated Carusi Theater. then the most
fashionable playhouse in Washington. IN
g short time theater supper parties az
Harveys came into vogue. The theater
building was also used for dances and
balls, and the suppers for these occasions
came from Harvey's. When steamed oys-
ters were conceived they became what
they have been ever since in Washington
the popular form Of oysters
Many stories are told OF Col. Harvey
and his famous place 4 correspondent
for one OF the Philadelphia papers wrote:
Jacobs claim 20 fame rests upon his
culinary skill IN the preparation OF a
single mess OF pottage. and the subse-
quent profitable disposition Of il for
Esau's birthright. while Col. Harvey has
won fame for his art IN preparing three
delicacies-oysteTs. teTTaDin. and canvas
back ducks
As Is frequently the case with men who
are eminently successful IN any line OF
work. the personal equation vas a great
factor in the success OF Col. Harvey. He
was man OF good judgment, quiet, dig
nifty, and natural ability. Noted 1aen
who visited his place found him a pleas
ant companion. who could converse with
them on the questions OF the day. and
whose careful courtesy added TO the
charm OF meal al his restaurant
Watterson His Friend.
Henry Watterson. when In Washing
ton, could always be found at Harvey's.
He never dined there without insisting
that Col Harvey sit with him. For hours
the two men would discuss the old days.
and thair superiority 70 those Of the
present
Col. Harvey retired from business IN
1906 Since that time he had been living
quietly with his family at 92S Massachu-
sets avenue. His death removes from
Washington one OF its most picturesque
characters. q man who was known by
many and liked by sll who came in con-
tact with him He was prominent In
Catholic circles. and was for years a
member OF St. PstTick's Church. con-
generously TO all its charitable
He leaves an estate val
led at a quarter OF a million dollars.