New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-09-08
HOPELESS PARALYT|C
PLANS LIFE CAREER
Woman Who Startled Nation
with Plea for Death to At
tempt Role of Author.
PREDICTS HER SUCCESS
Unable to Move a Muscle, Mrs
Harris Will Dictate Stories
to Stenographer from
Her Hospital Bed.

Resolutely putting aside all thought Of
euthanasia. for which she begged so
earnestly a year ago. Mrs. Sarah q Har-
ris. the hopeless paralytic who has been
confined in bed for nearly four years
now wishes To show that she can still he
Of some use in the world. She told the
Tribune last night OF plan which she
hopes will not only relieve her family OF
the burden OF providing for her. but VIII
perhaps bring announcement TO other
sufferers who are inclined 10 despair.
81 have lost control OF my body. was
the way Mrs. Harris put II. but not OF
NV mind want To write short stories.
lust year ago Mrs. Harris's case came
to the attention OF the public when she
wrote a letter 10 the newspapers asking
II the state could not end her suHering'
When a brute was doomed 10 inacuoh'
she argued IL was put out OF existence
but a human being. the highest OF Gre
atcd beings. had to linger on until the
vital organs gave way.
Her plea aroused widespread discussion
Of the moral and legal aspects OF eutnah-
asia. from all OF which Mrs. Harris de-
rived no benefit. 4 short while after"ard
DR. Henry s. Coe. Of the General Memo
rial Hospital. performed an operation
which relieved her Of the intense physical
suffering that had accompanied her ar
Fiction up to that time. But the mehIa
agony Of having 10 depend on others Tor
every little activity Of life remained.
Through II all. however. Mrs. Harris
retained her ability 90 smile. and she
even laughed cheerfully several tunes
while the Tribune reporter sat at her
bedside Yesterday.
Il see the humorous side OF things still
she explained. even Of srewsome thinss
sometimes haven't lost my lhde-
pendence Of mind. by any means. AS
lie here | gather scattered thoughts IRON
everywhere. and why should ! not weave
them into stories FOR the outside world TO
read?
IF have a creative. elastic. riotous I'M
agiiation. II travels the continent IL Is
spontaneous | don't want the savans 10
nudge me as A woman who hasn't read a
hook I'm ten years. nor held newspaper
I'm four. but a. one who Is part Of So
riety. I want TO be Judged on my merits
n they are not UP 10 the standard can
endure that too.
But am sure they will be. Ny friends
have asked me Why ! do not write a
book II wrote a book II would have 10
boz ON my own experiences. and want 10
get away from them | want 20 take my
mind OF myself In all the millions OF
people in this beautiful world ! DOUBT u
there IL any more helpless than J. feT-
haps some OF the others. who suNer a
Ittle less. but who are wont 70 coddI"
their woes will read my stories and take
heart when they see how the most al
nlcted person In the world can sun do
something.
"Euthanasia Is now out Of the question.
asked for IL after had not had mo-
ments rest from terrible pain for three
wears and while I vas still recovering
from the operation which took the pain
away should welcome u " IL were
localized by the state But would not
let any one run the risk ~ punishment
bv putting me out Of my misery now. /
don't want 10 be relieved from SUFFERING
through the suffering OF others. neither
do wish 10 die in any unnatural way
Mrs Harris IT, Of course. unable 10
write her stories herself Her idea is 10
have some Of those who expressed sym
pathy for her when she came before the
public last year prove their sincerity b.
sending stcnographer 20 take down
what she dictates. Her voice is distinct
and strong. and she Is confident that sh"
can spin her tales end on end. for ten or
twelve hours day. n need bee. She
wants the help Of the newspapers and the
magazines. too.
Several brothers and sisters support Mrs
Harris now. Her husbands position As
agent for a life insurance company brings
I'm only enough 20 take care Of him ana
the two children-a son Of nine ana a
daughter Of seven. Mrs. Harris Is thirty
four years old. and may lingor in her
present condition for twenty years more.
her physicians say.