May 6 Hubert Leonard, composer, dies at 71 May 7 James Nasmyth, Scottish engineer and inventor of the steam hammer, dies at 81 May 19 Gus Kempis, South African cricketer (South Africa's 1st Test), dies of fever at 24 May 28 Viktor Nessler, Alsatian composer, dies at 49 1889 Famous Deaths by Year 1891