The San Francisco call., 1897-07-09
The Noted TennesSeean
Dead at His Post in
Washington.
Worked Up From Shopboy
to Wealth and Political
HOnOrS.
Served With the Confed eracy and
Was at JohnSton'S Side at
Shiloh.

WASHINGTON, D. c., July S.-Senator
lsham g. Harris of Tennessee died at s
O'Clock this evening at the supposed age
OF 70 years. He had severe attack of la
grippe last year and never recovered from
its effects his death being due 10 debility
coupled with stoma ch troubles.
He suffered greatly with tie heat OF the
last few days, and his condition yesterday
was so feeble that it was feared he would
not survive the day. He rallied some
with Slight fail in TEN perature last
evening, but to-day he began to sink and
slowly passed away.
lsham Green Harris was born near Tul-
lahoma. Tenn, on February TO- 1873 His
father, whose name was the same, was
the owner of serile farm and ten or
twelve negroes, and his family grew up
without discipline. At IA years OF age
lsham went 10 Paris, Tenn, and got en-
ployment as a shopboy. In the following
year he went 10 scnool, and before he was
IS years old moved to Tippa County,
Miss, where he became successful mer-
chant. He studied law for two years at
night, attending TO mis- business during
the day. He had accum ulated about
$1,000 and also esta blisb ed a home for his
ia ather near Paris, Tenn, when, through
the failure OF bank, he was left penniless.
He resumed his business at Paris with
rich partner, and in two years had re-
couped his losses. His nights, mean.
while, had been given TO the study Of the
law, and he was admitted to the bar in
1S4l.
His legislative district had a small
Democratic majority. Two obstinate
Democrats insisted on running, and the
leaders in caucus nominated Harris as q
ruse to effect the withdrawal of one or
the other. Neither would yield. He de-
feated them and his Whlg competitor
also. Harris was elected to Congress in
184S and served TWO terms He was re.
fused q denomination in 1853 and settled
in Memphis as a lawyer. In 1856 he can
vassed the State as Presidential elector,
and the success of his ticket was largely
attributed to him.
He was elected Governor OF Tennessee
in 1857, reelected in 1859 and again in
1861, alter the Civil War had actually be-
gun. Until he was driven from the State
by the success of the National arms Gov
ernor Harris exhibited ability and re-
source. He acted as volunteer aid on the
staff of General Albert Sidney Johnston
and was with Johnston wien he was NOR
tally wounded at Shiloh. He continued
at the headquarters Of the Amy of the
West during the remainder OF the war,
shared Its nardships ana took nart In all
its i'm portant battles except Perryvile.
When the war began he was worth $780,
000 when it closed he had nothing. He
evaded capture on parole, went into exile
in Mexico, where he lived for eighteen
months, and thence to England, where he
renamed year.
In 1867 he returned and resumed the
practice Of law IN Memphis, Tenn. In
1876 he announced himself as a candidate
for the United States Senate and can
vassed the State. challenging all com rs TO
meet him in public discussion. He was
success I'll. He took his seat March 5,
1877, and was reelected for the term emu
ing in 1889.
In the Senate lie was an advocate of an
honest and economical administrator of
the government and an opponent of all
class legislation. He was mem her of the
committee on claims, OF the select com.
mittee on levees on the Mississippi Rive r,
and chairman OF the committee on the
District of Colum bia while his party was
in power in the Senate.