The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1875-02-17
Dying by Inches-CuriOns Circuan-
stance Attending the Death Of n Man
i'm OnRslN.


Matt. Hairs. who died at his residence in
this city yesterday, was one OF the best known
of the SDor,iu. ucn in the West. He was IA
native Of Louisville, Ky. where he still has
Two brothers. He camc here pine years ago.
and vas ioriy-strcu years old when be died
He has lived mere continuously since his
first arrival, except about a year spent in
S.;lt LAKE, aud even then be called this city
liz hnmr. During all The time he has owned
IN in'rifst in one or more faro banks here,
apd lIe has generally been actively engaged as
a dealer himself. He was known as n square
mIu alnonS The fraternity OF gamblers.
always meeting his obligations promptly : a
mau Of temperate habits, true to bis word
ard generous and liberal in all things. While
always ready to play and eager to win, he was
not backward in giving TO the support OF
CHURCHES that Denounced his calling. Indeed,
BE- liked all men better for speaking out their
views, whatever they might be, and on one
occasion he told the writer that when
preacher. who was seeking Il friendship with
lin. asked how his business was prosper
ing he knowing Harris to be a gambler-he
set him dO0t at OGce as 4 scolIndrcl. And
the near sequel showed that Harris was cor.
rect.
Matt. Harris was Il man Of medium height,
robust. OF refund form, and apparently Of per-
feet health. TO the casual observer, at least.
there was not the iaintest indication of any.
thing approaching to physical ailment. But
about a year ago he cut his finger slightly
while lriu ming tinger.nail with new pen.
knife. The result was the SINE us if that
blade had been dipped IN deadly poison His
fin2t became first very sore, and then 80 bad
thai II had To be amputated. This done, a
lac "a lpTf
which grew more painful is ii Increased in
size. II was at lirSt termed an als@esS, then a
,umur, and Ial'crly cancer. About four
mouths ago Harris was confined TO his bed
Wlih tcls painful Incumbrancc, and six weeks
aga, rs our readers were at the time in.
fuimtd, Il ,umor weighing three aud a half
puunus was cut away. THIS made terrible
ncison upon his left breast, leaving the
upper ribs baIe Ct flesh. This operation
WIS borne by MIR. Harris with heroic forth
Tide. and TIN Ou@h all his terrible SutferingS
he retained his senses to the last. He real.
lied that the cancer Tas eating his life away,
and submitted without murmur TO his fate.
He sold his interest in bis old faro-bank,
where he had SO -long presided, at 17S
Farnam street, on Saturday last. He re-
tain, his senses, and UP TO the hour of his
death conversed cheerfully and inteliisently
with his friends who came TO his bedside.
Mr. Harris leaves one child and devoted
wife, who has nursed him in his terrible
afflction with tenderness and.tidelity that
calls for the highest admiration. Although
herself far from strong, we are assured that
no man in ON ,ha could endure the fatigue
that she ,bas undergone in this sad expert
ence. Men have come ard gone, watched by
the couch Of the sufferer and left TO seek
rest have come refreshed and lett the house
exhausted; but thIs fraii woman has been
unceasipg IN her attentions, and has seemed
TO Be endowed with supernatural strength in
serving the man she loved. When all had
ended ia bis death, she was attacked with
fainliug hts, which followed each other
rapidly, and iaet night she was in dun
gerous condition.