Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1911-10-17
Associate Justice John M.
Harlan, One Of the Pho
neers Of the Bench, Dies
Suddenly Of Bronchitis.
TERM OF SERVICE
WAS NEAR RECORD
Had Justice Harlan Lived
Until Next June He Would
Have Served Longer Than
Any of His Predecessors.

Washington, d. c., Oct. A. Asso-
.ciate Justice John M. Harlan, the old
est member of the supreme court Of
the United States, for years con-
spicuous in kentucky politics, once
candidate for the republican nominal
ton for vice president OF the United
States, foremost constitutional
authority, and prominent In the coun-
ellis of the Presbyterian church, died
at his home in this city today. He was
Is years old last June.
Justice Harlan has been III with
bronchitis less than a week. He sat on
the bench last Monday when the court
heard arguments Of the so-called
anthracite coal trust cases.
The following day Chief Justice
White announced that Justice Harlan
was slightly i'll and yesterday he
asked the attorneys to consider that
Justice. Harlan was sitting In their
cases, although not physically
present.
Justice Harlan, however, was in
much more serious condition than his
colleagues In the court realized.
Despite his advanced age, he was ro-
bust and ordinarily enjoyed the best OF
health. He was rarely absent from the
bench an attack of influenza a few
years ago being almost the only illness
from which he had suffered for a long
period.
Death Of Colleague Shock.
The sudden death Of Associate
Justice Brewer Of the supreme court,
who was not only colleague on>the
bench, but personal friend, very
much affected Justice Harlan.
Chief Justice Fuller's death IN the
summer of 1910 was also great shock
to the venerable jurist.
Justice Harlan continued to perform
his share of the work OF the court.
His great ambition was to serve until
next June, when he would have ex-
ceeded the service OF any other man
who sat on the bench. AS 1t was his
service was longer than that Of any
other associate Justice except Justice
Marshall and Associate Justice
Stephen Field. Justice Fields was the
longest service-thirty-four years, six
months and ten days; Marshalps,
thirty-four years. five months and five
days: Justice Harlan'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 a generation.
First Taken Sick Monday.
It was while sitting on the bench
Monday that Justice Harlan first felt
the attack of bronchitis. Ee 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 Tuesday considerable fever
was manifest. On Wednesday he was
markedly weaker, and his condition
grew worse, although 1t was not under
stood at the supreme court that his
condition was at all alarming. Yester-
day he seemed little better. His son,
John M Harlan, Of Chicago, lawyer,
was summoned here, however and an
other son, DIR. Richard c. Harlan, trav
cling in Europe, was notified. Last
night he grew worse and death came
at S:13 o'clock this morning.
Taft Shocked at Death.
San Francisco, CAL, Oct. 14.-Presi-
dent Taft was at breakfast at his hotel
here this morning when informed by
the Associated Press of Justice Har.
lan's death. The president. was greatly
shocked by the news and expressed
much sorrow. President Taft had
known Justice Harlan for many years
and held him in the highest regard,
both as man and jurist
Disease Drives Hog Crazy.
Keokuk, Oct, IA peculiar dis