The Birmingham age-herald., 1906-01-11
Ot VI R. Harper Passes Away
 in Chicago
HEROIC FIGHT FOR LIFE
Doctors Long Ago Gave Up Hope, But pr. Harper Worked on as Though Nothing Were the
 Matter.

Chicago January 1O.-Dr William Rain ey Harper, president of the University of Chicago since it's inception; one of the foremost educators and one of the most learned Hebrew scholars of his time, died today of cancer of the intestines. Al though his death was known to be inevit- able within a comparatively short time, and 1t had been announced earlier in the day that he would not in all probabil- itv survive for the remainder of this week, the end of hts life. due to his uhzsicsf exhaustion, came suddenly.
 Three years ago Dr. Harper underwent an operation for appenmcitis and symp- toms were then discovered which led the surgeons to suspect that graver troubles might arise In the future, but they were then of too indefinite character to per init of an operation. and it was not until February 9, 1905, that an operation was decided upon to determine the nature and cause of severe abdominal pains from which he had suffered for several months
 Hope Practically Abandoned.
 Dr. McBurney of New ork, the fla nous specialist in abdominal surgery, came to Chicago expressly for the oper- alton, in which he was assisted by Drs. Billings and Bevan of this city. At the outset of the operation, it was discovered that Dr. Harper was suffering from a cancer at the head of the large intes- tine, and that the malady had progressed so far that an operation which would have removed it would have been fatal to the patient. brief consultation of the surgeons resulted in the conclusion that there was nothing more that could be done by them and that the only hope for Dr. Harper lay in remedial measures alone
 Tn a 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 eff fort to avert it. No braver fight was ever made by any man than by pr. Harper. He took up business duties at the uni- versity though nothing had happened, or was likely to happen to him, and he was at all times apparently content and cheerful. The x-ray treatment was elab- orated upon in the effort to afford him relief, and everything was done for him that the ingenuity and skill of his phy- sicians could suggest. Although Dr. Har- per never deluded himself with final re- covery. he always attempted whatever of fered a hope of recovery. Despite all that was done for him, he lost steadily in all things save courage. Several times the malady progressed in such manner, that small surgical operations were necessary to afford him temporary relief.
 
 Was Coming South.
 Just prior to the holidays a portion of his strength came back, and it was thought that under the influence of a milder climate his health would improve. All preparations were made for the jour ney to the south. but at the last moment he was too feeble to attempt the trip, and 1t was abandoned. During the last fort night his strength had failed rapidly and 1t was evident to his medical attendants that the end would not be far off. Mes sages were sent to his immediate relatives and all of them were at the house today when he died.
 Dr. Harper left a statement outlining his wishes for the ceremonies and funeral. A detail which he emphasized, both in writing and in person. that no regu- lar university exercises should be sus- pended except during the hours of the funeral service.
 The body will remain in charge of the family until Saturday. It will then be transferred to Haskell Ash Hall on the university grounds escorted by the uni versity band, university senate and the university council members of the senate and the council acting as pallbearers. The body will lie in state in Haskell until Sunday midday under guard of honor composed of students of the university. The funeral services will be held in Man. del Hall at the university Sunday af- ternoon at 2 o'clock.
 Born In Ohio.
 pr. W R. Harper was born in New Concord. O., in July, 1856, and graduated with the degree of A. B. from Muskingum college in that place in 1870. A short time after this he went to Yale university where he carried studies of a special character in the languages The next year he acted as president of the Masonic col lege at Macon, Tenn. From 1876 to 1S7s he resided in Granville O., as tutor in Dennison university and as principal oi Granville academy, which was the pre- paratory department of the university In 1880 he was appointed professor of the Hebrew language in the Baptist Unor Theological seminary in Morgan Park H.. where he remained for five years. In 1886 he was asked by Yale university tc become professor of Semitic languages ir that institution where he remained until 1901, when he was elected president oi Chicago university