The Toledo chronicle. [volume] (Toledo, Tama County, Iowa) 1873-1924, 1877-06-07
The late Fletcher Harper.

Il
notice Of the late Fletcher Harper, the
news Of whose death came to US too late
for anything more extended or deliberate.
We do not know that we eau add any.
thing 70 the hasty and spontaneous trib-
ute which we paid to the memory of a
most remarkable men whose ability and
whose rare traits Of character were only
fully realized by those who knew him best.
What We said in brief ,aandvn the spur Of
the moment, comprehends all that We
could say, with tue utmost leisure. Still,
few words mo e may be said.
: Il was the privilege Of the writer to
have made the acquaintance of Fletcher
Harper over eleven years ago, when lie
wns full Of strength, vigor and vitality,
and that acquaintance brought about re.
lations always pleasant and steadily grow
Ing more Interesting. IT did net require
much insight to discover how quietly and
easily Fletcher Harper was guiding the
dessinies Of his house, nor how little dis
posed he was to claim any credit or prom.
incncc for the creative suggestions OF a
fer liz intellect, nor the secret Of the abso-
llte confidence which the Brothers" re-
posed in his unassuming wisdom. One
such man in any large business house
would be as Soil ON tlIe troubled waters"
as regards its internal discussions and
dissensions, no matter how quarrelsome
the other members might be. In q house
where there was absolutely mo tendency
to controversies, but in which wide differ
ences of opinion would naturally exist,
the bland temper, the diplomatic tact,
che u1demonstrAtivc wisdom OF Fletcher
Harper was the constant harmonizing ele.
ment, the positive and formative inteliec-
tual force which rendered the success Of
the house one not merely financial but in
tellcctual and moral. 1t was very largely
due to his genius and character that the
Harpers were not only The most success
fuf Of publishers, but that the vast ma
chincry OF the house was put in'the act
i've service Of wise, judicious, patriotic
and Protestant leadetship- of public opin-
ion. He was the originator Of the Month
ly Magazine and Of the Weekly, two pub
LEGATIONS whose influence for good can
scarcely be overestimated. He is credit
ed with the origination Of the Basar. but
that, we believe, is due to the son who
bears his name
There are very few who know in what
ways and howscoaselessly Fletcher Har-
per's creative mind and matchless judg-
ment contributed to the success Of the
periodicals he originated. 1t is almost
impossible for those who knew him best
TO describe the modest and quiet and in
sinuating manner in which he conveyed
his suggestions to others. Often he would
do this in such way that tire recipient
Of his advice would believe himself to be
its originator. He seemed to take as
much pains 20 keep in the background as
most men do to trumpet their own achiete-
ments and suggestions Ono thing was
always certain, shat'both 1.-THE Brothers"
and ..the boys"-all Of the latter being
grundfathersfn ssthe Majors" latter days
never thought Of questioning the final
decision Of Fletcher Harper, no matter
how modestly given, Or whether directly
expressed or inferable. What he limited
was law for house IN which there never
were any riyalries or controversies. for
all the rest knew where the wisdom Of
the house was.
Yet with all his gentleness and modes
ty, Fletcher Harper could be nrm ami
even aggressive, on occasions. There
were some questions on which he had
very positive opinions. and his views on
these themes were always found strongly
displayed in the Harpers' publications.
He was Protestant Of Prolcstants, and
had ssincere apprehension Of the growth
and purposes Of the Pspacy In this coan-
try. On other subjects he was equally IN
earnest, aud oppoaitlon to his opinlons
only detslaped the salla,hantihe solidity
Of his character. which was 20 self.pois.
ed and 90 symmetrical that most men NM
derrated its strength.
OF his genuine, unaf5scted interest In,
and kindness towards. young men who
care promiss u literary ability and use
fuIlness. II y Impossible % speak To
h:shIy. His pAtiesce ard crudebess. With
youthful enthusiasihs, Win ntd1irsdted
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