SURVIVORS OF THE GREAT DISASTER
Bernardsville News
Mrs. Harman and Daughters Interviewed---Before and after the awful Casualty---Husband and Father gone and all their Property Lost---A Trouble too Deep for Words
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Mrs. Jane Harman, widow of Samuel Harman, who met his death at sea last week, is prostrated at the home of her brother-in-law, Arthur Laver, steward of the Somerset Hills Country Club, where she was interviewed for the NEWS on Tuesday. Dr. Meigh is in attendance, Mrs. Harman having suffered fearfully from exposure while in the boat on the open sea, the cold being intense. The Misses Harman, Kate and Alice, sprightly and attractive English girls are twins and are aged twenty-four.
These people, who arrived here on Saturday last, have lost all they possessed in the world, escaping with just what light garments they had on that fatal morning, and it is truly a hard fate.
Mr. Harman, aged about 49, was a well-to-do farmer in Somersetshire, Eng., but having fallen behind last year decided to come over and try his fortunes here. He had all the money taken as the proceeds of the sale with him when he went down.
Eight trunks filled with the family plate, treasured articles, clothing, etc., valued at some $2,000, were also lost. They have absolutely nothing except what their good kinsman, Mr. Laver, has supplied for present needs.
They had taken passage on a preceding ship of the line at $50, but were not quite ready to start and so came by the Titanic, paying $10 more each, for second saloon. Mrs. Harman said:
"I had retired to rest and was in my berth when the ship struck. It was not much of a shock. My husband came down from the deck and told me not to fear, but to stay in bed, it being bitter cold.
"Late he came and told us all to dress but I put on only a thin waist, not foreseeing what was in store, and when we got on deck all was confusion and they were filling the boats. Cries, prayers and lamentations on every side. My husband banded us into the second boat and then we parted---forever. He expected soon to join us by a later boat, so we did not feel so badly. Our situation at the time was not thought to be serious.
"When out on the sea, in the darkness, we saw the ship go down and knew that all was over."
A lad of fifteen who had come with them from England was among the lost. Both he and Mr. Harman might have come into the boat, which could have carried ten or a dozen more. The Harman ladies may return to England when sufficiently recovered, and they may remain in this country, greatly dreading another sea voyage.
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Mrs. Jane Harman, widow of Samuel Harman, who met his death at sea last week, is prostrated at the home of her brother-in-law, Arthur Laver, steward of the Somerset Hills Country Club, where she was interviewed for the NEWS on Tuesday. Dr. Meigh is in attendance, Mrs. Harman having suffered fearfully from exposure while in the boat on the open sea, the cold being intense. The Misses Harman, Kate and Alice, sprightly and attractive English girls are twins and are aged twenty-four.
These people, who arrived here on Saturday last, have lost all they possessed in the world, escaping with just what light garments they had on that fatal morning, and it is truly a hard fate.
Mr. Harman, aged about 49, was a well-to-do farmer in Somersetshire, Eng., but having fallen behind last year decided to come over and try his fortunes here. He had all the money taken as the proceeds of the sale with him when he went down.
Eight trunks filled with the family plate, treasured articles, clothing, etc., valued at some $2,000, were also lost. They have absolutely nothing except what their good kinsman, Mr. Laver, has supplied for present needs.
They had taken passage on a preceding ship of the line at $50, but were not quite ready to start and so came by the Titanic, paying $10 more each, for second saloon. Mrs. Harman said:
"I had retired to rest and was in my berth when the ship struck. It was not much of a shock. My husband came down from the deck and told me not to fear, but to stay in bed, it being bitter cold.
"Late he came and told us all to dress but I put on only a thin waist, not foreseeing what was in store, and when we got on deck all was confusion and they were filling the boats. Cries, prayers and lamentations on every side. My husband banded us into the second boat and then we parted---forever. He expected soon to join us by a later boat, so we did not feel so badly. Our situation at the time was not thought to be serious.
"When out on the sea, in the darkness, we saw the ship go down and knew that all was over."
A lad of fifteen who had come with them from England was among the lost. Both he and Mr. Harman might have come into the boat, which could have carried ten or a dozen more. The Harman ladies may return to England when sufficiently recovered, and they may remain in this country, greatly dreading another sea voyage.
Related Biographies:
Samuel Herman
Jane Herman
Alice Herman
Kate Herman
George Frederick Sweet
Contributor
Mark Baber
