The Semi-weekly leader. (Brookhaven, Miss.) 1905-1941, 1913-03-12
OLD SAFE YIELDS s65OOO.
Mad Not Been Opened Since Mr.. c.
K. Harvey Was Killed Eight
cen Years Ago.

A find was made the other day
that was valuable to the relatives of
the deceased owner. It's contents re-
called the history of .'oId Brookha-
yen," when the old-time key lock
safe Of G. X. Harvey had its doors
swung open for the first time since
1895. when Mr.. Harvey was killed.
1t revealed in the search of its con-
tents diamond ring valued at
$3.50 and the dead merchants
old account books carrying the
names Of many old residents
with their accounts running up into
the thousands. so far back that the
entries showed that flour was SELL
ing at Sic and SIS per barrel. and
other commodities in proportion.
Mr.. Harvey, who was a telegraph
lineman and operator for the West
ern Union Telegraph Co., was kill
ed a few miles South of the city
one day in 1895, while out on his
railroad velocipede, attending to his
regular duties. At the time of his
death, with his wife and family he
was occupying the well-known two
story Harvey building on North
Whltworth Avenue, running a small
grocery store on the street floor.
After his death his daughter, Miss
Addie Harvey, (now Mrs. Mayes)
built residence on South Whit
worth Avenue. and his two sons,
Luther C., and Julien, together
with Mrs. Harvey deceased only a
few months) moved from the old
abode. and have not since occupied
it.
1t seems that the key to the old
style safe was misplaced or hidden
when MIR. Harvey met his untimeIy
end and his heirs up to the present
time thought that there was
nothing of value in the solemn and
silent square-cornered old piece of |
iron furniture which had stood for |
a quarter of a century in the old |
store.place in public view of all |
visitants being placed only 25 or 80 |
feet from the entrance to the store. |
1t was decided at last, though, |
to dig into the past and see what
was in the recesses of the silent |
spectator to many renters of the
since the removal of the
Harveys. among them being the
firm of Neumann 4 Lalanne, who
occupied the place for years, L. j.
Laird, who has only recently vacat-
ed to give place to the Kees Bros,
the present occupants. Beside the
above there were several short
term renters prinr to those named
occupying the quarters. The old |
receptacle for valuables has never
been given much respect, being
more in the way than otherwise, at
one time large sides of bacon hav-
ing been kept upon it by lessee.
Mr.. John Erwin, ''The Fix-It-
Man," as he was advertised on The
Leaders, :Who is Who" page, was
and proved that he could
the trick" even on a safe. /
After many manipulations. impress
sions, etc., and probably a few
guesses gained by experience with
such things, Mr.. Erwin made a key
that turned the tumblers in the old
rust-sotted lock. With a strong
heave he swung the door back, the
panel giving a final swish" as it
let go on account of the contact and
rusted and stuck condition, the
result of eighteen years standing.
Besides book on Masonry, Of |
which order Mr.. Harvey was a
member. and a number of other
books. accounts. etc, an old bag
was fonnd in a far recess Of one of
the pigeon holes in the safe, in
which was small mesh purse and
% opening this ring was found.
At first glance it looked to be
worthless, but closer examination
and inspection by Mr.. Erwin and
at the instigation of MIR. w. G.
KEGS, who was present when the
door swung back, a little polishing
brought out the shine of a genuine,
clear and perfect stone. 1t was be-
tween two and three earats. and
the ring. with the other contents
Of the safe were turned over to