The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1906-01-11

Three years ago Or. Harper underwent
IN operation for appendicitis. Cancerous
symptoms followed recovery from this op-
Grafton and on Feb. %. 1905. an operation
was decided on TO determine the cause OF
the severe abdominal pains Dr McBur-
ney OF New York came 20 Chicago for the
operation. in which he was assisted by
Drs. Billings and Bevan OF Chicago
II was discovered that Or. Harper was
suffering from a cancer at the head Of
the large intestlnes and that tho malady
had progressed so far that an operation
20 remove Il would be fatal TO the pa
tient
KNEW HE MUST DIE.
The surgeons decided that the only hope
Of DIR. Harper lay I'm medical measures.
In a short time he left the hospital know
ing that his disease could not be cured
and that his death must ensue within a
short time.
DR.. Harper took up his usual duties at
she university and appeared cheerful
The N-ray treatment was u@ed In the
effort 10 AFFORD him relief. and everything
wus DONE for rim ttTHt ttTp- ingenuity and
skill of his physicians could suggest
Despite all. he lost steadily IN all things
save courage Several times the maladv
progressed in such n manner that minor
surgical operations were necessary to ar
ford temporary relief
Just prior TO the holidays n portion OF
his strength came back and preparations
were made for a trip South but NJ the
last minute he was too feeble 20 attempt
the journey and 1t was abandoned
FAILED VERY RAPIDLY.
During the last fortnight his strength
failed rapidly and II was evident that the
end could not be far off Messages were
sent TO his immediate relatives. and all OF
them were AT the house yesterday when
ne died
Dr. Billings issued tho following state
ment: For two weeks DR. Harper had
failed rapidly. He and his family and
friends recognized the approach of the
end. His physical condition had been kent
reasonably free from pain by the use of
very moderate amount of one of tho de-
rivatives OF opium. His mind remained
clear until the end Physical exhaustion
was the cause of death"
DIR. Harper LEFT q statement outlining
wishes for the ceremony 81 his funeral
A detail which he emphasized both I,
writing and IN person. vas that no rcEu-
lar university exercise should te suspend
cd except during the hours Of tho funeral
services.
p. 4. At FOURTEEN
William Rainey Harper was born In New
Concord. Muskingum county o.. July g. /
1856. lie was the oldest of five children /,
OF Samuel and Ellen f. Harper and was I
OF Scotch Irish ancestry
He entered tho Muskingum college az t
the age Of 10 and took his B 4. an the
ege of IL. delivering a IIcbrcw orstion on /
commencement day. The next three years I
were spent AZ his home I'm private study .
and I'm considerable attention 90 music
At ~ he entered the graduate depart \
ment Of Yale and after two years. de-
voted chiefly 10 the study ~ Indo- Euro
pan languages he received his degree Of I
ph. II. he then becamc principal ~ Ma 4
sonic college In Macon Ter where ho .
yemaiaed one year IIe next accepted .
the prfncipalship 81 Tho preparatory d. .
parfment az Dennison university. Gran I
vile. O.
IN 1879 be was elected professor ~ He
brew and the cognate languages in tho 4
Baptist THEOLOGICAL seminary. Morgan |