The daily morning journal and courier., 1906-01-11
PRES. W. R. HARPER OF
 CHICAGO DIES SUDDENLY
ALTHOUGH END INEVITABLE 1T CAME SOONER THAN
 EXPECTED.

Hebrew Scholars of Amerlca-Headed
 Great University Since Its Inception
 in 1SO1--COntinued Duties at Univer-
 sity Almost to the Last-Failed
 Rapidly During the Past Two Weeks
 But Forty-nine Years Old.
 Chicago, Jan. 10-William Rainey Harper, IL. D., president of the Uni versity of Chicago since its inception in 1891, regarded by many as the foremost Hebrew scholar in America and equally renowned as educator and business man, died to-day of cancer of the in- testines at his home on the university campus. Although his death was known to be inevitable within com paratively short time, the end, owing to physical exhaustion, came suddenly. He was forty-nine years old.
 Three years ago Dr. Harper under went an operation for appendicitis. Cancerous symptoms followed recovery from this operation, and on February 22, 1905, an operation was decided on to determine the cause of severe abdomi- nal pains. Dr. McBurney of New York; came to Chicago for the operation, in which he was assisted by Drs. Billings and Chicago physician.
 It was discovered that Dr. Harper was suffering from a cancer at the head of the large intestines, and that the malady had progressed so far that an operation to remove it would be fatal 5 that the only hope of Dr. Harper lay in medical measures. In short time he left the hospital, knowing that his dis ease could not be cured and that his death must ensue within Q short time. Dr. Harper took up his usual duties at the university and appeared cheerful.
 The X-ray treatment was used in the effort to afford him relief, and every thing was done for him that the in genuity and skill of his physicians could suggest At times his condition would improve, and then would come relapses that left him weaker than be- fore. Despite all he lost steadily in all things save courage. Several times the malady progressed in such manner that minor surgical operations were necessary to afford temporary relief.
 Just prior to the holidays portion of his strength came back and prepara tions were made for trip south, but at the last minute he was too feeble to att tempt the Journey and it was abandon ed. During the last fortnight his strength failed rapidly and it was evil dent 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 issued the following statement;
 ''For two weeks Dr. Harper had fail- ed 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 very moderate amount of one of the derivatives of opium. His mind nemained clear until the end. Physical exhaustion was the cause of death."
 Dr. Harper left statement outlining his wishes for the ceremony of his fu- neral. A detail which he emphasized, both in writing and in person, was that no regular university exercise should be suspended except during the hours of the funeral services.
 The body will remain in charge of the family until Saturday. It 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 Sunday after midday under a guard of honor composed of students of the uni- yersity The funeral services will be held in Mandel hall, at the university, Sunday afternoon at 2 o'clock AS part of the exercises addresses will be deliv- cred by President Faunce, of Brown university; Chancellor Andrews, of the University of Nebraska, and Dean Jud- son. of the University of Chicago.
 Dr. Harper, who received his bachel- prs degree at the age of fourteen years, was a man popular with men of busi- ness as well as with men of letters, and all united in praising him as man of remarkable brilliance of mind, execu- tive ability and Kindness of heart. Dr. Harper was a Mason and member of many clubs.
 Cambridge, Mass, Jan. 1O.-President Charles w. Eliot, of Harvard univer- sity. when he heard of President liar pers death said: His life, wonderfully active and energetic, was brought by excessive work to too early close"