New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1906-01-11

VI
yesterday.
photograph by Gbson)
at his home on the university campus AL
though his death was known to be inevitable
within a comparatively short time, the end, due
to physical exhaustion came suddenly He was
forty-nine years old
Three years ago DR.. Harper underwent an
operation for appendicitis Cancerous symp-
toms followed recovery from this operation, and
on February % 1905 an operation was de-
cfded on to determine the cause of severe
abdominal pains. DR.. McBurney, of New-York
came to Chicago expressly for the operation, in
which he was assisted by Drs. Billings and
BevaE. of Chicago.
1t was discovered that DR. Harper was suf-
fertng from cancer the head of the large in
testlnes and that the malady had progressed so
Tar that an operation to remove it would be
fatal to the patient. The surgeons decided that
the only hope of Dr. Harper lay in medical
treatment. In short time he left the hospital
knowing that his disease could not be cured and
mat his death must ensue within short time
me Array treatment elaborated in the
effort to afford him relief, and everything was
done for him that the ingenuity and skill of
ais physicians could suggest At times his CON
dition would improve, and then would come
relapses which would leave him weaker than
e
lost steadily in all things save courage. Several
times the malady increased in such a manner
that minor surgical operations We're necessary
TO afford him temporary relief.
Just before the holidays a portion of his
strength came back, ana preparations
made for a trip South but at the last minute
he was too feeble to attempt the journey, and
it was abandoned During the last fortnight his
strength failed rapidly and it evident to
his medical attendants that the end could not
be far off Messages were sent to his immediate
relatives and all of them were at the house to-
day when he died.
DR.. Billings has issued the 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 kept reasonably free from pain by the
use of q very moderate amount of one OF the
derivatives of opium. His mind remained clear
until the end. Physical exhaustion was the
cause of death.
DR. Harper left statement outlining his
wishes for the ceremony of his funeral detail
which he emphasized. both in writing and in
person. vas that no regular university exercises
should be suspended except during the hours OF
the funeral services.
The body will remain in charge of the family
until Saturday 1t will then be carried across
The campus to Haskell Assembly Hall, in the
university grounds, escorted by the university
band the university senate and the university
council members of the senate and the council
acting as pallbearers. The body will lie in state
in Haskell Hall until Saturday after midday
under guard of honor. composed of students Of
the university. The funeral services viii be held
in Mandel Hall, at the university. Sunday after
noon at O'Clock. As part of the exercises, ad-
dresses will be delivered by President Faunce
"
the University of Nebraska and Dean Judson
OF the University of Chicago
DR. Harper. who received his bachelor degree
when fourteen years old was a man popular
with men of business as well as with men of
letters. and all united in praising him as man
Of rema rkable brilance of mind. executive bill
ity and kindness of heart DR.. Harper was
Mason and member Of many clubs
The Rev Or. William Rainey Harper the
first president OF the reorganized University of
Chicago for which he secured the great benefac-
lions of John ID. Rockefeller. He born July
26 1856 at New-Corcord. Muskingum County, Ohio.
His great-great- grandfather, Robert Harper,
10 this country from Ireland in 1898. In New-Con-
cord was the little Muskingum College United
PRESBYTERIAN institution, and young Harper entered
the preparatory department of it when only eight
years old and graduated with the degree OF
A. B. when fourteen He devoted himself largely
TO the study OF Hebrew, and his graduating ora
ton was in that language. After three years OF
private study he went to Yale to devote himself 10
philology and the Indo-Iranian and Semitic Ian
s1lages securing the degree OF Phi. D. in 1895. He
then took charge of Masonic College, at Macon,
Tenn, for year. going thence to the post of
tutor In Denison University, at Granville, Ohio. OF
which DIR E Benjamin Andrews president.
DIT Harper worked successfully with him. and in
1879 took charge of the preparatory department OF
the college. In 1880 he accepted call to the chair
OF Hebrew and Old Testament eXegesis at the
Baptist Union Theological Seminary, in Morgan
Park H. remaining there for six years. He or
ganized a summer school in Hebrew, and also the
American Institute OF Sacred Literature TO teach
Hebrew by correspondence. and in 1854 formed the
American Institute of Hebrew, composed of the
leading Hebrew scholars of the country. Becoming
interested in Chautauqua work he took the prin-
cipalship of the College of Liberal Arts In 1880.
holding IL for six years. In addition to his other
work he was identified with the Chautauqua edu-
,o+io,aI interests until 1900 when he severed his
connection with them. In 1856 he became professor
of Semitic languages at Yale. and in 1899 Woolsey
rofessor of Biblical literature there and instructor
~ Hebrew in the Divinity School, remaining at
New-Haven until 1891
The original University of Chicago. which had
,ean founded in 1856 had succumbed to the burden
~ aebt in 1886 after n prolonged series OF strug
gIes under different presidents In 1883 the Amer-
can Baptist Education Society had taken up the
question Of organizing a university in Chicago.
and wear later John n. Rockefeller gave 10000
for the purpose provided the amount was raised
&c ~rRz and