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

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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

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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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tions of sympathy. At the request of the President, all classes Were continued, but work was only desultory. All social engagements were immediately broken, and a thirty-day period of mourning was later established, during Which badges of mourning were worn by faculty members and students. The Monthly Maroon issued a memorial number, and the Daily Maroon appeared with reversed rules for some days. The press of the country added to the eulogies which were made. Upon the vote of the University Senate, President Harper's chair and desk, the latter with a wreath upon it, were left undisturbed. At half past ten on Saturday the body of Doctor Harper was transferred from the family residence to Haskell Hall. The procession moved along the driveway in front of Walker Museum west to Cobb Hall, turning east and then south to the east door ofI-Iaskell Hall, where the casket was placed in the assembly hall. A double rank of students, with bared heads, lined the route. The line was headed by the University band, of which Dr. Harper was an honorary member, each musician with a band of crape around his left arm, playing over and over again the funeral march. The University senate followed, two by two, led by Head Marshall Joseph E. Raycroft. Behind them was the casket, carried by University officials. There were two sets of these pallbearers, and occasional halts were made so that each might take its turn. The sixteen men who performed this last service for Dr. Harper were: Eri B. Hulbert, james P. Hall, Albion W. Small, Thomas W. Goodspeed, Harry Pratt Judson, j. Laurence Laughlin, Ernest Freund, Starr W. Cutting, Rollin Salisbury, Edward Capps, Francis W. Shepardson, George E. Vincent, Ernest D. Burton, James H. Tufts, A. A. Michelson, E. H. Moore. Preston Keys acted as Marshal for the bearers of the coffin, which was decorated only with a strip of lavender- hued orchids, laid on a long palm leaf. Twenty-five members of the University council brought up the rear of the procession. The Haskell Assembly Hall, where Doctor Harper had so often presided at faculty meetings, was banked to the ceiling with foliage. The only flowers in the room were the orchids on the coffin, and the beautiful wreath of orchids and lilies of the valley, the testimonial of the Emperor William of Germany. At the head of the casket stood a small table, on which were placed the decorations of honor which had been bestowed on Dr. Harper in recognition of his educational achievements. Among them were the Cross of the Legion of Hemor, commanders rank; the Order of the Red Eagle of Prussia, given by Emperor William and an emblem from the Emperor of China. From eleven olclock to nine otclock F. M. on Saturday, and from eight olclock A. M. to twelve dclock on Sunday. the body lay in state, guarded by a student guard of honor, serving in relays. This guard included: Benjamin C. Allin, Charles Frederic Axelson, Harold L. Axtell, Earl B. Babcock, Arthur Hill Badenoch, Frederick R. Baird, Norman Barker, Hugo F. Bezdek, William R. Blair, Abraham Bowers, Arthur M. Boyer, Frede- rick D. Bramhall, Carey H. Brown, Charles A. Bruce, Stephen R. Capps, Harley C. Darlington, Karl H. Dixon, Peter F. Dunn, Roscoe S. Fairchild, Edward G. Felsenthal, Luther D. Fernald, Frederick A. Fischel, Hugo M. Friend, Burton Pi Gale, Cyrus L. Garnett, Frederick L. Gates, Robert M. Gibboney, Emil Goettsch, Thomas H. Goodspeed, 10