New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1883-12-31
COLONEL RATHBONE'S MANIA
WHAT HAMILTON HARRIS SAYS.
SOME DETAILS OF THE TRAGEDY-THE MADMAN's
GENTLE NATURE.


GENTLE NATURE.
tBY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUSEl
ALBANY, Dec. 20.-Ex-Senator Hamilton Harris
stated to-day that no kilograms has been received
from Hanover Germany, concerning the Rathbons
tragedy since those containing the first intelligence.
All the news he obtaining relative to the terri
bic affair came to hun through the newspaper dis
patches from London and Hanover. He then con-
tinued:
any belief is that Colonel Rathbone was insane
when he killed his wife. He was one of the kindest
men toward his wife and family that ever knew.
His Whole life seemed to be concentrated in his
family. You know some men have life outside
their family. They live at clubs or they call upon
acquaintance, or they give their spare moments to
attending to political matters. Colonel Rathbone
had no interest outside his family You would
always find him at home. His wife loved him de-
votedly, and was gentle, kind-hearted, Christian
woman. Both were members of the Protestant
Episcopal Church, and constantly attended its
services. Nor could Colonel Rathbone's have
been unseated by pecuniary troubles; for he was in
easy circumstances. He had a large fortune lie
must have been made insane by dyspepsia.
"Now that he has done what he has done, there
comes to my mind the memory of something that
occurred here year ago, which made powerful
impression upon ne at the time. lie came into my
November, 1882, looking very i'll. / asked him
what was the matter and he then said he was
suffering from dyspepsia He described to me in q
vivid way all the horrors of that disease. My folks
tell me that, in letters which they received frcm
his wife after they reached Germany she frequently
alluded to his suffeTings from dyspepsia. gee that
IHE TRBUNEs dispatch from Europe says that he
had been suffering from melancholy for the past two
months. have no doubt he killed his beloved wife
when his mind was clouded by that disease. She
was a charming, yyacous and genial woman. If
she came into a room. she would at once mako
every one feel more bright and cheerful
MRS. RATHBoNE's HEROIC CONDUCT.
"From the letters we have received from tho
family We can discover some of the circumstances OF
the tragedy. TIE TRIBUNE dispatch from Hanover
states that he attempting TO get AT his children,
when intercepted by his wife and the nurse, and
that then he returned to his bedroom and killed
his wife, Our letters show that between his own
room aud the childrens was an apartment occupied
by the nurse This had been IN the family for
many years. When Colonel Rathbone came cropping
through this anteroom he must have awakened the
nurse. Mrs. Rathbone must have been following
her husband and been aware of his intention to kill
the children for according t. these brief dis
patches, she called to the nurse to lock the door
leading into the childrens room. The nurse did so,
and then Colonel Rathbone turned upon his wife
and killed her. Mrs. Rathbone sacrificed herself as
il were, to save the lives of her children
"There can be no greater sproof to .me of Rath-
bones insanity than this attempt to Kill his chill
dren With his wife, they were the human beings
most beloved by him in the world. 1t is strange,
then, when one becomes insane, he strives to hurt
that which he most loves. Witness that terrible
case in New-YOrk of a mother numbering her chill
dren. As said before. never saw man who gave
more evidences of deeply LOVING his wife and
children.
ave shall probably not hear the particulars Of
the tragedy until the return Of Colonel William IL.
Harris of Cleveland, from Hanover. He sailed for
Europe on the Baltic on Thursday. Colonel Harris
is brother of Miss Louisa Harris and of Mrs. Rath-
bone He il was who received the dispatches from
Europe telling of the tragedy. lie received tine
dispatches at Cleveland and then forwarded them
to us here at Albany. l received him while was
seated at the dinner table on Christmas Day: Wo
saw Colonel Harris when he passed through tins
city from Cleveland on his way to New-fork.
"REMINISCENCES OF THE CoLoNEL-
ain 1857, when was working hard as a young
lawyer in this city, and had good practice Colonel
Rathbonc, who had just been graduated at Union
College came to me and asked me If would take
him as a law student. lie was rich, worth about
$500, 600 but hc desired to work and learn pro-
L
worked hard at law books for year and half In
1859 he went to Elrope and travelled about tho
Continent until the war of the Rebellion broke out
That brought him back TO this country. He OBJ
tanned a commission III the regular Army as cHll-
tain, and fought throughout the war; When tho
war ended he the major of his regiment. Ia
the meanwhile Senator Ira Harris, my brother, had
married his mother. She was a widow and he was
q widower, and both had children Major Rath-
bone naturally was thrown into the society of my
niece Miss Harris. lie hrst met her III w ashiHg-
ton, Ut Senator llarrlss house.
TIE EVENING THAT LINCOLN WAS SHOT.
GAS THE TRIBUNE has already mentioned, they
were in the theatre box with President Lincoln
when he was assassinated. The circumstances that
led to their being there were rather curious There
was to be a special performance at the theatre-a
patriotic song was to be sung, Ibelieve-and Presi
dent Lincoln, General Grant and Mr.. Stanton
to be present Mr.. Stanton sent word that he could
not come; General Grant was suddenly called away
from the city and President Lincoln was taken i'll
Oh the afternoon of the performance. Mrs. Lincoln
thought she would be compelled to occupy tho
theatre box alone, and therefore asked Clara Harris
to accompany her; which she agreed To do In tho
meanwhie The theatrical managers came TO Mr.
Lincoln and begged him to go. telling him that tho
entertainment would be failure If he did not,
General Grant and Mr.. Stanton would not be pres
ent Mr. Lincoln good -naturedly consented to go.
He and his wife went to get Mss Harris; and lind
ing Major Rathbone at her home invited him 10 ac,
company them. When Booth had fred hts fatal
shot ut President Lincoln, the assassin was seized
by Major Rathbone. Booth dropped his pistol and
stabbed at Rathbone with two-edsed dagger; Inc
blade of the weapon went through RathbOnes lei1
arm and nearly reached his breast. lie did not re-
cover from,the wound for two months.
CONDITION OF COLONEL RATHDoNE.
HANOVER. Dec 3O-The general condition Of
Colonel Rathbone is good. lie has had no fever so
far.