Omaha daily bee., 1896-02-23
N, D, HARTER KILLS HIMSELF
Bx-GngressmOn Commits Suicide at the
House OF Friend.
HEALTH HAD BEEN POOR FOR SOME TIME
Prominent Ex-ConRrcssmnn from
Ohio Takes His own Life While
In Fit of Temporary
Mental Alteration.

FosToRIA, O., Feb. 22--The city was
thrown into a fever of excitement at noon
today by the announcement that Hon.
Michael u. Harter had committed suicide at
tho home of MIR. s. Knapp in this city.
When found life was extinct. and Il IL
thought he had been dead several hours
The fatal shot was fired from revolver, the
bullet passing through the right temple.
penetrating the brain. lie was found lying
on the bed with the revolver clutched in his
hand.
No cause is known. further than that he
has been suffering with insomnia for some time
past and that his mind gave way. On the
bureau In his room was a letter addressed
TO his wife in Philadelphia. and on the out
SHdc Of the room was found a package OF
letters addressed to business associates, but
none have been opened as yet.
Yesterday afternoon he complained of hav-
ing a severe pain in his head, but later in
the evening he attended a church supper and
seemed to have had an enjoyable time. Re-
turning home, he retired at the usual hour
ana nothing occurred to excite the least sus-
picion.
The members of the Knapp family thought
they heard MIR. Harter moving about in his
room about 3 o'clock this morning, but heard
eral days on business connected with the
Isaac Harter Milling company. His son,
Robert, who lives here. is now visiting his
mother in Philadelphia, Mr.. Harter is largely
interested in number Of industries, and
represented the Fourteenth Ohio district in
congress, but for the past two years he has
been residing in Philadelphia.
Mr.. Harter had disrobed as carefully as if
he had not intended taking his life. His
clothing was disposed of in an orderly way.
On the bureau lay his cravat and a letter
addressed to his wife in Philadelphia There
was nothing in the letter to indicate his
purpose to take his life There was also q
telegram to Mrs. Harter, dated this morn
Ing, in which Mr.. Harter asked her to see
that his life insurance assessments were
paid That taken in connection with an in
cident which occurred, indicate that the
suicide had been contemplated. Yesterday
Colonel Fowler of the Mutual insurance,
together with s. L. Ghaster, called at the
Harter mill to see Colonel Brown, who took
out policy for 100000 in the shape of a
s per cent gold bond. The scheme deeply
impressed Mr.. Harter Mr. Harter did not
take the policy, but made this inquiry:
Colonel Fowler" he said, ''if a man should
take out policy today and should commit
suicide tonight, would the policy be paid?'
He was assured that it would, and then he
addressed Mr. Ghaster, saying: "Mr.
Ghaster, do you think that IL man who
had never harmed a person in The world
should commit suicide, he would go to
heaven?" Mr.. Ghaster replied that he
thought he would
The coroner held an inquest this afternoon
and decided that the deceased had killed him
self while temporarily insane. There is no
hint Of financial or business embarrass-
ments as a cause for suicide 1t being as
serted that all the enterprises with which
Mr.. Harter was connected are In fourishing
condition.
Mr. Haretr will arrive here with her son
tomorrow. No arrangements for the funeral
have yet been made.
Michael ID. Harter was born in Canton, O.,
April 6, 1916; has spent his business life as
manufacturer and banker, was member
of the Golden club, London, of the Reform
club, New York, OF the democratic club OF
the city Of New York, and of the Young
Mems democratic club of Cincinnati; used his
voice and pen in the interest Of tariff reform
for many years; was elected to the Fifty
second congress as democrat, receiving
1892 votes, against 16,OS4 votes Tor George
l.. Sackett, republican, 1,445 votes for w.
d. Miller. prohibitionist. and Ala votes for
ID. T. Adams union labor.
PHILADELPHIA, Pa, Feb. 22.-Congress-
man Harter. who committed suicide at Fos-
tora O.. today, has lived In this city since
September last at 1886 Pine street, a large
and handsome residence. Two OF his sons,
Isaac Harter, jr., aged 16, and Huntington
Hicks, about four years younger, are attend
ing the Episcopal academy in this city ana
it was for the purpose of being near the
children that Mr.. and Mrs. Harter took up
their residence in Philadelphia. 1t was the
intention of the family to move to the home
stead at Mansfield, o., at the end OF the
school year. A third son, Robert NJ. Harter,
lives at Fcstoria, but he is at present visit
ing his mother here. Mr.. Harter's only
daughter, Mrs. j. Vaughn Merr!ck, jr., lives
at Roxborough, a suburb of this city. MIS-
Harter could not be seen, but member Of
the household said to a reporter for the
Associated press: at seems incredible that
Mr. Harter should have killed himself. His
family relations were of the happiest char
acter and he had every reason for Wishing
to live Before he went west he complained
of not feeling we'll and his appetite was
poor, but this indisposltion appeared only
temporary"
One Minute Cough Cure touches the right