Fresno County CA Archives History - Books .....Murder Of Major Savage 1892
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Book Title: Memorial And Biographical History Of The Counties Of Fresno, Tulare, And Kern, California

MURDER OF MAJOR SAVAGE.

  Some time previous to the above date, one Major Harvey, the first County Judge
of Tulare County, and Wmn. J. Campbell, incited a lot of men who rushed into one
of the rancherias on King's river and killed a number of old squaws. Harvey and
Campbell were jealous of Savage's prosperity with and influence over the
Indians. Savage complained of the dastardly crime to the Indian agent and.
stated that Harvey was no gentleman. This reaching Harvey, he declared that if
Savage ever came to King's river he would never return alive. Savage went to and
arrived at King's river early in the forenoon of August 16, 1852, where he found
Harvey and Judge Marvin, and a quarrel at once ensued between Harvey and Savage.
Savage slapped Harvey in the face with his open hand, and in so doing his pistol
fell to the floor and Marvin picked it up. Harvey then said to Marvin, "Yon have
my pistol." He replied, "Not so; this is Major Savage's pistol;" whereupon
Harvey, finding that Savage was without a weapon of defence, began firing upon
him, four balls piercing Savage's body, and he died almost instantly, while
Judge Marvin stood and looked on, either too cowardly or indifferent to attempt
to prevent the murder. Harvey, being County Judge at the time, appointed one
Joel H. Brooks Justice of the Peace (it is said) for the sole purpose of
investigating the case, and he did not so much as hold Harvey to the grand-jury,
but acquitted him at once. Harvey, however, soon left the county through fear of
the Indians, who were warm friends of Savage. He had married the daughters of
five different chiefs, and, although uneducated, being unable to either read or
write, he amassed within a few years a fortune estimated at $100,000.

  That he was deservedly popular at the time, is attested by the kind act as
well as proof of true and lasting friendship of one of Fresno County's prominent
citizens, now residing in the city of Fresno, and a man who stands at the head
and front of all public enterprises, as well as in that of his professional
line. This gentleman is Dr. Lewis Leach, one of the few pioneers of the valley
now living, who was for a time partner in business with Major Savage and who has
erected a monument over Savage's remains at an expense of $800. He removed
Savage's remains to a point on Fresno river since known as Leach's old store,
where he erected a shaft ten feet in height of Connecticut granite.


Additional Comments:
Extracted from:

Memorial and Biographical History
OF THE COUNTIES OF
Fresno, Tulare, and Kern, California

Illustrated
Containing a History of this Important Section of the Pacific Coast from the
Earliest Period of its Occupancy to the Present Time, together with Glimpses of
its Prospective Future: with Profuse Illustrations of its Beautiful Scenery,
Full-page Portraits of Some of its most Eminent Men, and Biographical Mention of
Many of its Pioneers, and also of Prominent Citizens of to-day.

"A people that take no pride in the noble achievements of remote ancestors will
never achieve anything worthy to be remembered with pride by remote
descendants." -Macaulay.

CHICAGO:
The Lewis Publishing Company.
Undated, but OCLC lists a publication date of 1892


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