Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-10-14
ATTACKED BY BRONCHITIS
WHILE ON BENCH MONDAY
At First Thought to Be a Slight
Indisposition.
CONDITION BETTER YESTERDAY
Service on Supreme Bench of the
United States Exceeded by
That of Only Two
Justices.

Associate Justice John NJ. Harlan, the
oldest member of the Supreme Court of
the United States. for years conspicuous
in Kentucky politics, once candidate for
the republican nomination to Vice Presi-
dent of the United States, a foremos.
constitutional authority and prominent in
the councils of the Presbyterian Church,
died at his home in this city this morn.
ing. He was seventy-eight years old last
June
Justice Harlan had been ill with acute
bronchitis less than a week. He sat on
the bench last Monday. when the court
heard arguments on the so-called an
thracite coal trust case. The following
morning Chief Justice White announced
that Justice Harlan was slightly ill., and
yesterday asked attorneys to consider
that Justice Harlan was sitting in their
cases although not physically present.
But Justice Harlan was in a much more
serious condition than his colleagues In
the court realized. Despite his advanced
age, he was robust and ordinarily en-
jOyed the best of health.
Rarely Absent From the Bench.
Rarely absent from the bench, an at
tack OF influenza few years ago being
almost the only illness from which he had
suffered for long period. the sudden
death OF Associate Justice Brewer of the
supreme Court, who was not only Q col
league on the bench. but a very close per-
annss ffends-xei aalfch a1ected Justice
Harlan. whose friends have felt. some ap-
prehension Of the serious consequences Of
the shock of Justice Brewers death
Chief Justice Fuller's death tn the sum-
mer Of 1910 was also a great shock to
the venerable jurist. Justice Harlan
continued to perform his share of the
work of the court. -.
Service Exceeded by Two Justices.
His great ambition was to serve until
next June. when he would have exceeded
the service of any other man who sa.
OIL that bench. As it was hts service
was longer than that of any other justice
except Chief Justice Marshall and Asso-
ciate Justice Stephen j. Field. Fields
was the longest service-thirty-f four years.
six months and ten days: Marshall S,
tfirty-fOur years, five months and five
days; IIarlan's. thirty-three years, ten
months and twenty-five days.
His service did exceed that of Justice
Story, who was on the bench thirty-three
years, nine months and twenty two days
These are the only justices who have
served their country on the bench for
more than generation.
Attacked While on the Bench.
1t was while sitting on the bench Mon
day that Justice Harlan first felt the at
tack of bronchitis. He asked then for
such simple remedies as were at hand
IN the Office of the marshal of the court
but he remained at his post. BY Tues
Gay considerable fever was manifest.
"wednesday he was markedly weaker ana
mis- condition grew worse, allnOugh Ii Was
not understood at the Supreme Court that
his condition was at all alarming. Yes
terday he seemed ii little better. his
son, John M. harlan of Chicago, a law
yer, was summoned here, however and
another, DR.. Richard c. Harlan, travel
ing in Europe, was notified.
Last night he grew worse and death
came at S:13 o'clock this morning.
His Last Words.
Justice Harlan's last words were touch
ing. Slowly and with evident difficulty
he said: Goodbye. am sorry I have
kept you all waiting so long" At his
bedside when he passed away were his
wife and two sons, James S. Harlan and
John Maynard Harlan; two daughters.
Miss Laura Harlan and Miss Ruth Har-
Ian: the judges secretary, j. F. Hoover;
Il Iav onlxr
other members Of his family. in addition
to his attending physicians. DIR. Thomas
a. Claytor and DR.. B. J.. Hardin.
Although funeral arrangements have
not been completed it has tentatively
been decided to have the funeral Mon
day. Rev. DR.. Wallace Radcliffe, pastor
of the New York Avenue Presbyterian
Church, of which Justice Harlan was a
member. will officiate at the services.
Justice Harlan for many years had been
instructor of class in the Sunday school
of the church and he had announced be-
fore being stricken ill that he would re-
sumo his work with the class this COM
ing Sunday morning. Justice Harlan
9:i5 o'clock, with DR.. W. III. Bates as
leader.
Although the death of Justice Harlan
did not become generally known until
some time after 1t occurred. messages of
coincidence to members of the family
from friends in this city and from all
ever the country poured in throughout
the day, and veritable stream of con-
veyances brought grief-stricken friends
to the imposing mansion at 14th and
Euclid streets. which the family has oc-
cupied since 1885, to offer sympathy to
Mrs Harlan and the bereaved chldren.
An instance of Justice Harian's loyalty
to work and his devotion to duty was
evinced Wednesday. Although apparent
| ly appreciating the seriousness of his
condition. the judge pleaded with his
physicians to enable him, If possible. to
attend the session of the Supreme Court
the next day, Thursday, telling them a
| case OF the utmost Importance was to
be considered. one which necessitated
his presence in the court chamber.
Supreme Court Will Adjourn.
The Supreme Court will adjourn imme-
diately next Monday until after the fu-
neral of Justice Harlan. postponing there
by the handing down of decisions which
have been prepared during the recess.
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