The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1897-07-09
ATrue and Useful Man Called
to His Reward.
A LONG CAREER ENDED
HAS BEEN A PROMINENT FIJI
rRD AMERICAN POLITICS.
THE LONGEST TERM IN CONGRESS.
He Entered Congress in iS49--Was Governor
of Tennessee at the Beginning
of the War--Was Brave
Confederate.

Of the War--Was Brave
Confederate.
Washington, D. c., July S.-Senator
Isbam G.. Harris, of Tennessee died at
his residence here a few minutes before
FIVE o'clock this afternoon. The Senator
had been getting constantly weaker 1or
several days past, the intense summer
heat. which has prevailed, greatly de-
Initiating him, and no doubt hastenng
his end. There were times when ne
would rally slightly, which gave ms
family hopes that he would be able TO
regain sufficient strength to be removed
from the city, but his vitality had be-
come too much exhausted to Withstand
the strain. This morning the Senator
revived somewhat, but only temporarily
During the afternoon he sank rapidly
and passed away peaceably. There were
present at his bedside when death came
his son. Mr.. Edward X. Harris and the
Iatter's wife: Representative Benton Nc
MILAN. of Tennessee; Miss Polk, from
his native State. and the members OF
the household where the Senator had
lived for some time.
Another son, Charles III. Harris, not
realizing the end was so near. had left
the house a short while before death
came. A third son. Mr.. James q. Har-
ris. residing in Tennessee, is expected
to arrive in the city morrow, and a
fourth, Isham G. Harris, Jr., is now
on his fathers ranch and stock farm at
Abilene, Texas, and probably will meet
the funeral train when it reaches
Memphis, where the interment will be
made.
Senator Harris was last in the Senate
chamber about ten days ago, but he
was unable to stay for any length OF
time, and had to be taken home in a
carriage. During the past six months
the Senator had been able TO attend to
his duties only at intervals, having been
away from the city several times endeav-
oring to recuperate.
Probably no man in public life had
been identified with more of the history
of this country than had Senator Har-
ris. He had almost completed his 18th
year. having been born in February,
1918. and first became a member of
Congress in 1S49. His Congressional
career thus began earlier than that OF
any member of either House, antedating
Senator Morrill, and Sherman by seven
years. and Hon. Galusha Grow, now a
member of the House from Pennsylva-
MIA. by one year. Mr. Harris had, when
he was elected to the National House of
Representatives, already become a man
OF State reputation in Tennessee, having
the year previously served as Presiden-
tial elector on the Democratic ticket, and
two years before been elected member
OF the Lgislatur of the State.
Mr. Harris represented the Ninth Ten
nessee district in Congress for the two
terms ending in 1858, when he declined
a denomination. Here he was engaged
in the practice Of law until 1857 with
the interruption necessary to allow him
to become a Presidential electOr in
1895. and his term would not have ex-
sion before the war, beginning in 1857,
elected Governor of his State, and was
serving in the capacity when the war
broke out. He took pronounced stand
for the Southern Confederacy, and was
known as one Of the Southern War Gov
ernors. The viccissitudes of conflict rem
dered frequent change of residence
necessary, and he was often with the
army in the field. He attached him
self at different times to the staffs of
Generals Albert Sidney Johnston, Jos.
Il. Johnston, Bureaugard and Bragg.
Albert. Sidney Johnston fell from his
horse into Senator Harris's arms when
he received his death wound.
After Lees surrender Mr.. Harris was
one OF small party of political refu-
gees who escaped to Mexico, going across
hno oIy
Brownlow, who had become the military
governor of Tennessee. offered a large
reward in Enthusiastically worded
poster for the capture of his predeces-
sor, but the latter remained absent from
the country until his return was safe.
He remained in Mexico for several
months, going thence to England, where
he resided until 1867, when he returned
to Memphis and resumed his practice of
the law.
Mr.. Harris was allowed to follow the
nursstitS of the private citizen until 1877
when he was elected to the United
States Senate, defeating Hon. l.. l..
Hawkins, Republican.
He remained a member Of the Senate
ever since and would have completed his
twentieth consecutive year in that body
~ the 4th Of next March if he had lived
10 that date. He had been four times
elected to the Senate. the last time in
1896, and his term would not have ex.
p6red until 1901.
Senator Harris had received almost
all the honors that the Senate could be-
stow. He was President pro tempore
during the 53rd Congress, leading
member Of the committees Of Finance
and Rules and also Of the Democratic
advisory or steering committee. He has