Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1906-01-11
DR.. HARPER MADE
A GALLANT FIGHT.
Knowing He Was a Doomed Man
He Worked Away With a
Brave Heart.
CAUSE OF DEATH WAS CANCER
Was President of University of Chica.
30 and Leading Educator Fun.
craI viii be Held sunday.

Chicago, Jan. lO.--Dr. William Rainey
Harper president OF the University of
Chicago since its inception, one Of the
foremost educators and one OF the most
learned Hebrew scholars of his time.
died today Of cancer OF the intestlnes.
Ihlee years ago DR.. Harper under
went an operation for appendicitis and
symptoms We're then discovered which
led the surgeons TO suspect that graver
troubles might arise IN the future, but
they were then OF too indefinite a char
acter To permit of an operation, and IL
was not until Feb. -, 1895, that an op-
Grafton was decided upon TO determine
the nature ana cause OF severe abdom-
mai pains from which he had suffered
Tor several months.
Dr. McBurney of New York, the IA
nous specialist IN abdominal surgery.
came to Chicago expressly for the OBJ
GRAFTON, In which he was assisted by
Drs. Billings and Bevan of this city. AT
the outset of the operation 1t was dis
covered that Dr. Harper was suffering
IRON cancer at thu head of the large
intestine, and that the malady had pro-
gressed 80 far that an operation which
would have removed 1t would have been
fatal to the patient.
brief consultation of the surgeons
resulted In the conclusion that there
was nothing that could be done by them
and that the only hope OF Dr.. Harper
lay In remedial measures alone. In u
short time he left the hospital knowing
well that he was doomed man, that
his disease could not be cured. and that
his death must ensue within a short
time, no matter what was done In the
EFFORT TO avert IT,
NO drawer night was ever made by
any man than DR., Harper made. He
took up his duties at the university az
though nothing had happened, or was
likely TO happen to him, and he was at
all times apparently confident ana
cheerful. The X-ray treatment was
elaborat d In the effort to afford him
relief, and everything was done for him
that the ingenuity and skill of his ply
sciians could suggest. Although DR..
Harper never deluded himself with false
hopes, he finally attempted whatever
offered him a hope OF recovery. At
times his condition would improve. and
then would come a relapse that would
leave him weaker than before.
Despite all that was done for him he
Several times the malady acted In such
a manner that small surgical operations
We're necessary TO afford him a tempo
rary relief.
Just before the holidays q portion Of
his strength came back. and 1t was
thought that under the influence of
mIlder climate his health would I'M
prove. All preparations We're made for
the journey TO the south, but at the
last moment he was too feeble 10 at
tempt the trip and 1t was abandoned.
During the last fortnight his strength
has failed rapidly and 1t was evident
to his medical attendants that the end
could not be far on. Messages were sent
TO his immediate relatives, and all Of
them were at the house today when he
died. DR.. Billings later issued the fol-
lowing statement:
For two weeks DR.. Harper has failed
rapidly. He and his family and friends
recognize the approaching end. His
physical condition has been kept rea-
sonably free from pain by the use OF
a very moderate amount OF one OF the
derivatives of opium. His mind re-
NAMED clear until the end. Physical
exhaustion was the cause Of death"
Or. Harper left statement outlining
his wishes for the ceremonies Of his flu
neral. A detail which he emphasized,
both In writing and in person was that
no regular university exercise should he
suspended except during the services
OF the funeral. The body Will remain In
charge of the family until Saturday.
1t will then be transferred 10 Haskell
assembly hall, on the grounds, escorted
by the university band, university sem
ate and the university council, members
of the senate and council acting as pail
bearers.
The body will lie In state In Haskell
hall until after midday under guard
OF honor composed of students of the
The funeral services viii be held In
Mandel hall at the university, Sunday
afternoon at o'clock. As a part Of the
rclsos addresses will be delivered
nv President Faunce Of Brown univer-
sity; Chancellor Andrews of the Unlver-
sity Of Nebraska and Dean Judson OF
the University Of Chicago.
The news that DR.. Harper had expired
was received In the city with deep sor-
how He was a man popular with men
Of business as we'll ns with men of let
tors and al united In praising him as a
man OF remarkable brilllancy OF mind,
executive ability and kindness of heart.
william Rainav Harper, Ph. D., ID.
-, was born nj New Concord, O., July
%, 1856; graduated from Musklngum