St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1896-02-23

last night at the residence of S. Knapp,
with whom he was staying
Mr. Harter arrived in Fostoria sew
eral days ago to attend to some busi-
ness affairs, he being connected with
several enterprises In this city. He
was apparently in the best spirits, but
had complained to his friends that he
was troubled somewhat by insomnia,
and yesterday he spoke of a severe
pain in his head. Last night, however,
he attended a sociable and supper at
the Presbyterian church, and appeared
to enjoy himself
After his return to the home Of Mr.
Knapp in the evening he said he did
not care to be called in the morning
until quite late, as he desired to make
up some of the sleep he had lost His
wish was respected, and no effort was
made to arouse him until noon today.
Then 1t was discovered that he was
dead. He was lying in bed with a
frightful wound in the right temple
His hands lay upon his breast. and In
them was grasped a thirty y-eight-cali-
ber revolver from which the bullet
had been fired. Evidently he held the
weapon with both hands when he
discharged it, for both hands were
covered with powder smoke The
wound bled but little, and death must
have been instantaneous. for the bed
clothing was not disturbed except
where his body lay.
Mr.. Harter had disrobed as carefully
as If he had not intended taking his
life. His clothing was disposed of In
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 telegram to Mrs.
Harter, dated this morning, IN which
Mr.. Harter asked her TO see that his
life insurance assessments We're paid
That, taken in connection with an in
cident that occurred yesterday, indi-
cate that the suicide had been planned
Yesterday Col. Fowler, of the Mutual
Life Insurance company, together with
S. L. Ghasler, called at the Harter
mill to see Col Brown, who took out
a policy for 100000 in the shape OF ~
per cent gold bond to Mr. Harter.
The scheme deeply impressed Mr.. Har-
ter. He did not take the policy, but
he made this inquiry:
Col Fowler" he said, "if a man
should take out a policy today and
should commit suicide tonight, would
the policy be paid?"
He was assured that 1t would. and
then he addressed Mr. Ghasler saying:
"Mr Ghasler, do you think that IL a
v-hn ha1
in the world should commit suicide, he
would go to heaven?"
Mr.. Ghasler replied that he thought
he would.
The coroner held an inquest this aft
ernoon, and decided that the deceased
had killed himself while temporarily
insane. There is no hint Of financial
or business embarrassments, as a cause
for the suicide, it being asserted that
all the enterprises with which Mr. Har-
ter was connected are in a hourishing
condition.
Mrs. Harter will arrive here with her
son from Philadelphia tomorrow. No
arrangements for the funeral have yet
been made.
PHILADELPHIA, Pc, Feb 22.-Ex-
Congressman Harter, who committed
suicide in Fostorla, O.. today had lived
in this city since September last. Two
of his sons, Isaac Harter. Jr., aged
about sixteen years, and Hunting H
Harter, about four years younger are
attending the Episcopal academy In
this city, and it was 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 at the end of the
school year. A third son, Robert NJ,
lives at Fostoria. but he is at present
visiting his mother here. Mr.. Harter's
only daughter. Mrs. j. Y. Merrick, Jr.,
lives at Roxborough, suburb of this
city.
Mrs. Harter could not be seen, but
member of the household said TO a
reporter 1T seems incredible that
Mr.. Harter should have killed himself.