The Dalles times-mountaineer. [volume] (The Dalles, Or.) 1882-1904, 1892-08-20
Killed His Child.

TACOMA, Wash. Aug. 14.-At II
O'Clock this morning Henry Harris killed
hIs daughter Eta at the Cleveland house
corner of Thirteenth and E streets, and
Immediately afterward killed himself
PiuDgiDg knife three times into bis
own heart. after having fred four shots
at the girl, none of which hit her, be
withdrew the weapon from bis own
breast. and hurling 1t into her bosom, be
left her body lying on the floor and fled,
staggering as he ran. He reached the
corner of the street, and there fell ex-
pired. When found, the body of the
girl was in sitting position against the
wall in the corner near the door. The
knife was sticking in her breast, and the
side of her skirt waist wss red with blood
The handle of the knIfe had very little
blood on it. Coroner Frank drew 1t
from the body. 1t is an ordinary clasp
knife, with blade two and half inches
long. The girls eyes and mouth were
open. Her hair was dIsbeveled and
slightly matted with blood. The room
was In great disorder, showing evidence
of desperate struggle. Bed clothing
was scattered partially across the room,
covered with blood. There was an over
turned chair, and several articles of cloth
ing were lying about In confusion. The
body was removed by an undertaker's
men. The revolver was found on the
floor near the girls feet. Over two
weeks ago the police were informed tina,
Harris had threatened to kill the girl,
and were asked to arrest him.
WHY THE CRIME WAS COMMITTED.
Eta Harris, the murdered girl, was
about 25 years of age. About a year
ago her father conducted little tailor
shop near tbs First congregational church.
Three years ago she became acquainted
with drummer for the Portland Cracker
Company, Ira G. Benton, with whom she
became infatuated. She went to Seattle
soon after, and during several months
residence there, worked in the Office of
McNaught's detective agency as steno
graDber and typewriter. About June 1,
1891, she left Seattle. going to Spokane,
where she lived with her brother for five
months. During her stay there Benton
wrote to her frequently, importunIng her
in every letter to return to Seattle. |
About the time of her return to Tacoma,
in the latter part of October, her father
obtained possession of one or more of |
these letters written her by Benton.
Meeting the latter in Tacoma on the |
street one day. Harris demanded that be |
should marry the girl, which Benton re
fused to do, at the same time making |
some markrefecting upon her charac
Ter. The fathers mind seems to have |
become affected by the betrayal of his
daughter. and it would appear that he
has Dourished suspicion that she has
not been conducting herself as an honest
should 10 William II. Brewett,
l tailor, Harris stated last night that he
would kill her and himslf before heswould
have her bring disgrace upon his family.
About six weeks ago he came to Tacoma
rom Spokane, and has been in the habit
If coming every morning at an early hour
o her room, No. 10. at the Cleveland
,ouse. where she has lived since May Z.
The object of these visits was to catch her
n some wrong doing. Six weeks ago
Miss Harris stated to James Cleveland.
he proprietor of the house, that her father
lad threatened to kill her and himself
Ilso. From the letteis found on Harris
body it is plainly evident that he has
,een for some time contemplating the
Iced.