The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1903-10-21

building. The bullet entered the mid
die of the forehead, and, after blowing
through the brain, broke through the
skull in the rear and fell to the floor
Death was not instantaneous, and the
wounded man was hurried to ST.
Luke's hospital where he died at 1870.
Considerable mystery surrounds Mr.
Harris act. His business associates
and relatives declare that he must have
shot himself accidentally, as they are
unable to assign any motive for sui
eide. Mr.. Harris son, Charles, who
is an attorney with offices in the Ger
mania Life building, said yesterday
that his father had been carrying the
revolver while he had been living at
Bald Eagle during the summer.
He had the revolver to protect him.
self while going home in the evening,
and since we moved to town has been
keeping it at the Office. 1t is my the
DRY that he was examining the revolver
after taking it from his desk and that
he accidentally discharged it. His
family relations have always been of
the pleasantest, and he never gave
any intimation that he contemplated
such an act. Recently the family NOV
ed into the city-to $50 Pine street
for the winter, and only day or two
ago my father spoke of taking the re-
VolVer to the house for protection at
night, and I believe that in taking it
from his desk yesterday it was acct
dentally discharged"
No Financial Difficulty.
Mr.. Harris financial affairs, so far
as could be learned yesterday, are in
proper condition. He handled no funds
of the organizations of which he was
secretary, but was treasurer for the
Modern Woodmen, but his account
wit hot hn6 ctfV, rrl,f
r. A. Durkee, president of the Prod
uce Exchange, said yesterday that Mr..
Hart had been at his Office within an
hour before the fatal shot was fired,
and that at that time Mr.. Hart had
been in good spirits.
Indeed, he even laughingly referred
to the fact that one of our members
had received a pair Of twins, and adj
Vised me to call around for a box of
cigars. saw him three times during
the morning, and he seemed the same
as usual. l am inclined to think that
he had taken the revolver from his
desk, where he had been keeping it
during the past few days, and that
he had intended to take it to his home.
He mentioned a few days ago that ne
wanted to get it out of the way He
did not handle any money of the board
or the exchange, and, as far as / know,
his financial affairs were straight"
Was Seen Just Before Tragedy.
William Quinlan, sixteen years old,
residing at I'LL ST. Clair street, says
he saw Mr.. Hart Immediately before
and after the shot was fired. The boy
says he was walking down Minnesota
street, from Third to Fourth, and in
passing the Office Of the Board of
Trade glanced upward and saw Mr.
Hart before q window.
las 1 passed looked into the win
dow" said Quinlan, when seen at his
home last night. 81 saw Mr. Hart lean
ing over the table. His elbow rested
on the table and his head rested on his
hand. He seemed to me to be thinking
hard. 1 do not know what attracted
my attention, but l stood still for a few
seconds and he looked up. He looked
haggard and 1 thought that he was
angry at me for looking at him, so I
passed on. I had not gone more than
five steps before l heard the shot I
ran back and got to the window just
as he was Keeling over. He fell with
his hands outstretched.
He was not sitting when I saw
him first, but was standing on his feet
and leaning over. I could not see the
revolver, but he must have had it in his
hand when 1 passed, for it was such
short time after that that he fired"
Mr.. Hart had been regularly at the
office, but on two days at intervals
not long ago, he hal left for home early,
saying that he was tired and wanted
rest. His associates, however, do not
think that i'll health could have prompt
ed him to take his life
Coroner Miller, who conducted an
autopsy at the hospital, and made a
careful examination of Mr. Harris per-
sonal papers, found nothing which
would directly establish the suicide
theory.
The coroner last night did not con-
slider an inquest necessary.
Resident of City Since 1886.
Mr.. Hart was well-known in the civ.
where he has been closely connected
with the business interests during the
past seven years, and the announce
ment of his death created a sensation
He was ffty-one years old and a ma
tive Of Nova Scotia, from which prov
ince he came to st. Paul in 1886. He
was employed for ten years in the gen
eral offices of the Great Northern. and
seven years ago he was made secretary
of the ST. Paul Produce Exchange and
had held that position continuously
since. He was appointed secretary of
| the Board Of Trade when it was or
gan1zed two years ago. He was clerk
| of Ramsey Camp No. 1850, Modern
| Woodmen. Mr.. Hart is survived by his