The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1900-11-30
End Came as Harry Stafford
Talked of ThankfuIness.
Kind, Genial, Whole SouIed, He
Gives Up a Heroic Fight.
WAS FAMOUS LAWYER
Recognized as Leader as a
Criminal Prosecutor.
Was Elected to the Legislature
at Recent Election.

| Harry Stafford, who has been long a
sufferer with heart disease, died last
night at o'clock at his home, 4OS West
| Railroad street, North Topeka. Mr..
| Safford's death was not unexpected. It
has been known by his family and
| friends for several weeks that the COM
| plication of diseases which forced him
| to bed more than three months ago
would soon run its course and the final
collapse would come.
While Mr.. Stafford knew that he was
facing death, he kept in good spirits and
without the knowledge of his family,
through his law partner, A. f. Williams
| SO arranged his business affairs that
there will be no complications following
his death. Mr.. Stafford kept up a Won
| derful courage through the varying
changes caused by his sickness. Each
day brought slight rallies in his condi-
ton but the relaxation which followed
always left him weaker. In this way
the intercOStal neuralgia, due to a slight
cold contracted on election day, the kid
ney trouble, drOpsy and erysipelas, grad
ua.lly wore the life from his massive
| frame and the end came peacefully.
Mr.. Safford'S deathbed was surround
ed by all OF the members OF his family,
wife, one daughter and three sons. DR..
r. S. Plummer the family physician, was
also present He had called to see Mr..
in converse ton with the sick man. Mr..
Stafford had reported that his condition,
during the day, was not what it was
on the day previous but he expressed
to DIR. Plummer the opinion that every
man had cause to be thankful upon such
a glorious day" Mr.. Stafford concluded
passing comment upon the sunshine
and Thanksgiving day, and relapSed in
to silence suddenly. The physician
noticed the fatal indication and sum-
moned the family In very brief period
Mr.. Stafford was dead.
On official documents Mr. Stafford
wrote his name H c. Stafford" 1t
was in full Henry Chase Stafford, but
Topeka knows only Harry Stafford" He
was one of the class of men that in the
first formal meeting impressed one with
his good humOr and good sense. But few
men who knew the deceased, in a busi-
ness or social way, associated with the
man only a few days until the first
name was used in direct address. This
is index to the character of the de-
ceased. He had few formal acquaint-
anees- He was on good terms with ev-
cry one. He was the soul of good
humor and was popular to an unusual
degree.
Essentially a student, Mr.. Stafford al.
ways found opportunity for mingling
with his friends. He was a feature at
gatherings or conferences of Topeka's
business men engaged in an effort to
promote the best interests of the city.
He was one of the standbys for Mar
shalPs band and was admitted to the
early in the history of the organization.
He was a Mason and member of the A
o. u. W. He was also one of the Mo-
docs.
Mr. Stafford was one of the earliest
supporters of Congressman Charles
Curtis. When Curtis was new at the
business of going to congress he and Mr.
Stafford were law partners They were
associated together until Mr. Curtis be-
came congressional fixture, then SAT-
ford formed a partnership with A f.
h.
ber at his death.
Mr.. Stafford earlier in his career was
a partner with David Overmyer in the
practice of law here, but election to the
legislature caused Mr.. Stafford to re-
linquish his interest in the firm. Later
the association with Mr.. Curtis was
formed and continued until Curtis went
to congress.
Mr. Safford's first public service was
as representative from the district north
of the river. At the last election he was
again chosen for the lower house, but
death interv vened. and 1t will be neceS-
sary to hold a special election in that
district to choose successor to Mr..
Stafford.
Mr. Stafford had several times prior
to the election talked of resigning, but
those who had engineered his campaign
refused to consider such a proposition.
In case of resigring the nomination the
county central committee would have
filled the vacancy by nomination. AS
the Baker forces in this county control
the committee, the Burton people, by
whom it is supposed Mr.. Stafford was
nominated, insisted that he retain the
place. Now the county committee can
only provide for an election, which must
be held within thirty days
Mr. Stafford was plodding along with
his practice in 1892 when B. NJ. Curtis
died Mr.. Stafford was appointed to sue
ceed him as county attorney The first
important prosecution by Mr.. Stafford
was the MatSOn murder case, during
which he established a notable reputa-
ton not only as a prosecutor but a
criminal lawyer. Various incidents in
his career as county attorney increased
Mr. Safford's fame and laid the fOunda-
ton for a lucrative law practice at the
expiration thereof. When the Collins
case came on Mr.. Stafford, who had been |
succeeded by A. F. Jetmore. was re-
John Collins. In this Mr.. Stafford took
a prominent part, and by many the
opinion is held that the Vigor with which |
Mr. Stafford conducted cross-examina-
tions and direct inquiries into the cir
cumstances surrounding this case, was
largely responsible for the conviction |
which followed by a unanimous vote of
the jury
H C. Stafford was born about 45 years
ago in Michigan He was a graduate CT
the University of Michigan at Ann Ar
Dor. His father was the late Rev. Henry /
Stafford a clergyman of the Episcopal /
church. who died at the home of his son 4
in this city in the spring of 1898. In 1879 I
the family came to Topeka and Mr. SAT- I
ford started the firm of Stafford & Sat
ford. lawyers and abstractors. The 9TH I
er member of the firm was Mr.. SaffOrd'S I
brother Dudley, after whose death the /
partnership of Overnyer & Stafford was
organized
This partnership was dissolved in 1888 I
ard the next year the firm became /