University of Chicago - Cap and Gown Yearbook (Chicago, IL)

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HI wish, in concluding, to say a word which every one will concede is called for, but which i find it very difficult to express in any adequate form. it is a word to my colleagues, Mr. judson and the deans who have conducted the administration of the University during the year, to the heads of departments, and in fact, to all the officers of the University. it is a word of personal thanks and appreciation for the many special acts of kindness which have been shown me his year, and for the magnificent way in which all have stood together in the conduct of the University when the president found himself unable to do his work. The evidences of personal friendship on every side have been so numerous as to make it impossible to render proper acknowledgment of them, I can only say that the suffering and anxiety which these months have brought will be forgotten in the memory of this friendly interest. While we may not look very far into the future, it is quite certain that the recollection of these tokens of affection and confidence will be a source of strength, the fulness of which it is impossible to describe. That night he suffered a partial relapse, and the next day he went to a Battle Creek, Mich, sanitarium to rest. He returned September 12. much weaker and apparently in such a condition that his friends again lost the courage he had imparted to them by his own bravery. His physicians found it necessary to perform a minor operation for his relief, and at the same time ordered him to give up entirely the work he had persistently continued to lay out for himself during his sickness. From that time Dr. Harperis condition grew steadily worse. Repeated bulletins announced little change in his condition, but the conviction grew steadily that he had but a short time to live, a conviction confirmed by the bulletin issued on Tuesday, January 9th, to the effect that he could not survive the week. On Wednesday afternoon at half past two the lowering of the University flag gave to the students the first intimation of the passing of the President. immediately after, a notice appeared on the bulletin board, and by common consent University exercises were practically suspended for the balance of the day. With the wonderful foresight and attention to details that characterized his work, the President had dictated, on the Monday previous to his death, a letter of instructions as to his funeral. A pathetic coincidence is the example he used: Hlf I should die Wednesday, for instance, the funeral service would be on Sundayfl With the plans of the President before them, the University authorities set about the arrangements for the succeeding four days. One hundred and fifty persons, including the members of the University senate, council and board of trustees and their wives, with many of those who have made donations to the institution, assembled at the presidentis residence at 10:30 o'clock on Thursday to listen to the simple seryices which Dr. Harper had planned to precede the more formal public ceremonies. Dr. Goodspeed read a significant poem, and Rev. Charles R. Henderson, the university chaplain, read short passages from the scriptures, making his selections from the ninetieth and ninety-first Psalms, and the fourteenth chapter of Luke. The familiar words from the twenty-third Psalm: ttYea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will tear no evil, for Thou art with me, thy rod and thy staff they comfort me, ended the quotations. 8

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E112 Emit; nf the meathmt t HE UNIVERSITY OF' CHICAGO sustained the greatest loss in its history in the death of President Harper on Wednesday, January 10th, at 2220 RM. Although the bulletins of the attending physicians had 6 announced that Doctor Harper could not survive the week, the end was unexpectedly sudden to most of the University public, and came as a . great shock. In February, 1904, the President was stricken with a sudden illness, which his physicians diagnosed as appendicitis. An operation was decided on as the only hope, and to this Dr. Harper submitted on March 1. He surprised his friends by making a speedy convalescence, and for several months seemed to have regained his former health. However, he was gradually being overcome by the progress of his malady. The next February Dr. Harperts sturdy will, which had kept him silent during his sufferings, bent under protracted pain, and he was forced to give himself up to medical care. Five of Chicagois foremost physicians were called in consultation. The nature of the ailment baffled them. and they declared he was the victim of some mysterious intestinal disease which they were unable to diagnose. A distinguished surgeon, Dr. Charles McBurney of New York, was called to Chicago and a second operation performed at the Presbyterian Hospital, February 22. 1905, revealed the fact that President Harper was in the power of an intestinal cancer, so far advanced on its destructive work that attempts to remove it would be useless, and probably fatal. In his fight he was aided by X-rays and the Hartificial florescenceii treatment, a new discovery of Dr. William J. Morton of New York. The combined treatments seemed about to work a medical miracle. Less than a month after the operation had been performed Dr. Harper having reached a safe stage in his convalescence went to Lakewood, N. J., where he spent almost a month resting and enjoying the company of the many friends who journeyed to the eastern resort to see him. When he returned, April 1 1, he declared himself almost fully recovered. On August 8 Dr. Harper left his home, accompanied by Mrs. Harper, for a two weeks Visitwith Mr. Rockefeller at his Forest Hill home, Cleveland. He declared his condition improved after his return to the university, but his friends noted a pallor and languor in his actions which were significant of his growing weakness and the gradual march of his disease. President Harperis last public appearance was one of tragic signifcance. He underv took to peesideiat the fifty-sixth university convocation. held in Mandel Hall, Sept. 1, 1905. His appearance was a shock to the audience, for in spite of the reports that he was progressing favorably, he seemed seriously ill. He began his quarterly report as if still in the flush of health, but broke down'and almost collapsed at the close. He con- cluded with a few simple remarks that were in reality the farewell of a man who already stood among the shadows. This was his last public message: 7

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In the absence of Dr. Emil G. Hirsch, whom Dr. Harper had wished to make the address. but who was not in the city, Rev. Frank W. Gunsaulus spoke briefly. In all his twentyefive years of religious work, he said, he had never seen such perfect Christian faith as had been displayed by Dr. Harper throughout his long illness. Rev. John L. jackson, pastor of the Hyde Park Baptist Church, of which Dr. Harper was a member, then offered a prayer. The services con- cluded with piano selections by William H. Sherwood. Mr. Sherwood rendered four selections of which Dr. Harper, a music-lover to the end, was particularly fond. They were Schumann's Romance in F' sharp, Chopin's prelude in A, Schumannls nocturne in F, and Chopin's funeral march. During Friday the body remained at the residence. under the charge of the family. T elegrams and messages of condolence poured in from all parts of the world. Among these were words from W. Wever. the German Consul, Baron Schlippenbach, H. Meron, the French Consul, Ira Remson of Johns Hopkins, James Angell of Michigan, W. J. Tucker of Dart- mouth, 1. Loudon of the University of Toronto, D. j. O'Connell of the Catholic University of America, Arthur T. Hadley of Yale, W. B. Rogers of St. Louis University, 1. P. Finley of the University of New York, Chas. F. Thwing of Western Reserve University,J. C. jones of the University of Missouri. and Chas. Dabney of the University of Cincinnati. College presidents the country over paid tribute to Dr. Harper's memory, among these were Edmund J. James, Illinois; James B. Angell, Michigan; Arthur T. Hadley, Yale; Wood- row Wilson, Princeton; .Chas. W. Elliot, Harvard; Chas. R. Van Hise, Wisconsin; E. Benj. Andrews, Chane. Nebraska; Jacob Gould Schurman, Cornell; David Starr jordan, Leland Stanford jr ; Geo. E. Maclean, State University of Iowa; Benj. lde -Wheeler, California; Thos. F. Holgate, Act. Pres. North Western University; John Cavanaugh, Notre Dame; Edwin H. Craighead, Tulane. The student councils, the graduate departments, many student organizations, and bodies of all kinds in this city and elsewhere passed resolu- 9