The Unintended Eulogy of Harvey Lawson
A former Kennewick man pops up in Seattle to debunk rumors of his death, adding a mysterious twist about private detective work.
Harvey Lawson, Spanish War veteran and former resident of Kennewick, arrived in Seattle last Sunday after a two-months' trip to southern California. During the holidays, a report was published that Mr. Lawson had fallen over a cliff while on a hunting expedition in California and so met his death. 'I never felt better in my life,' said Mr. Lawson, 'and cannot possibly account for the report that I had passed in my checks.' Mr. Lawson hinted he is now in the employ of a private detective agency and is looking into matters indirectly connected with smuggling.
“I never felt better in my life and cannot possibly account for the report that I had passed in my checks.”
The 'exaggerated report of my death' is a classic trope, but this account is flavored with the intrigue of early 20th-century private investigation, illustrating the era's fascination with mystery and shadow industries.
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