Carter Harrison's assassination

HSSMSS1NHTION OR

CARTER HARRISON

CHICAGO'S GREATEST EXECUTIVE

With an Intetesting Review of His Eventful Life, and Tributes of
Respect to His Memory by Leading Men of the Nation.

-» I L- LU ST R T^TO D K-

PRICE: - - 25 CENTS.

CdRTER HflRRISON'J

flSSflSSIN/ITION

Giving a full account of his Tragic Death, with a
Detailed Synopsis of his Eventful Life.

COMPILED BY

A MEMBER OF THE CHICAGO PRESS.

WITH AUTHOR'S INTRODUCTORY.

FROM THE PRESS OF
A. THEO. PATTERSON, PROGRESSIVE PRINTER

INTRODUCTORY.

(BARTER HENRY HARRISON is no more, save
in memory. A cruel assassin took his life at a
time when fair Fame upon him smiled her sweetest.
As Mayor of the World's Fair City, together with his
brilliant talents and past political achievements, ]ie had
won the admiration of the World. This little book is
not a biography such as should do full justice to the
memory of the late Mayor Harrison. Such a work will
no doubt be published, but its inevitable high price will
place it beyond the reach of the masses of the people.
This brief compilation, which I have put into book form,
contains all the main facts connected with the tragedy,
and other information worthy of preservation. If tf\\*
book shall reach the masses of the people and be pre-
served by them as a memento of the man who owed his
great success to their loyal political support, then the
author's desire shall be attained.

THE AUTHOR.

fttayor Jtoison Assassinated.

"Carter H. Harrison, five times elected Mayor of the
City of Chicago, was assassinated at his home on the
night of October 28, 1893. The murderer, an alleged
monomaniac, was P. Eugene Prendergast, a carrier of
newspapers. The assassin stated at the police station,
whither he had ran after committing the awful deed,
that he had killed the Mayor because he had promised
him the> Corporation Counselship of Chicago and had
failed to keep his word.

Mayor Harrison was to have h^ ; . Carried to Miss
Annie Howard, of New Orleans, on the 5th of vNovem-
ber, 1893.

ASSASSIN WAITED AT THE DOOR.

At 7:50 o'clock a man ran up the front steps of Mr.
Harrison's residence, at No. 231 Ashland Avenue, and

6 ASSASSINATION OF CARTER HARRISON

rang the bell. Mary F. Hansen, the servant, answered
the bell, and the man outside asked for Mr. Harrison.
She said he would have to wait a moment, as Mr. Har-
rison was asleep on the sofa in the parlor, at the same
time going back through the hall to call him, leaving
the door open. In a moment Mr. Harrison stepped from
the parlor into the hall. In an instant the man had
drawn a revolver and fired, the shot entering the abdo-
men just above the navel. Two more shots rang otlt an
instant later, the first of which entered the Mayor's body
under the left arm, penetrating the heart. Mr. Harri-
son, when the first shot was fired, had started towards
the door, and the second shot struck him when within a
few feet of the assassin. Mr. Harrison was so close to
fhe muzzle of the revolver when the third shot was fired
ttered one of the knuckles of the left

i the rear of

the house when thu insi ran into the hall

and fired three shots at the man as he started out of the
front door. The murderer paused for an instant, turned
about and fired a parting shot at the coachman. He

ASSASSINATION OF CARTER HARRISON 7

then ran down the front steps and passed rapidly north
on Ashland Avenue.

Mayor Harrison, after the last shot was fired, stepped
into the parlor and started towards the dining-room. He
had taken but a few steps, however, when he reeled and
fell into the butler's pantry, which led to the rear of the
house. His son Preston, who was up-stairs at the time
of the shooting, ran down and was at his father's side in
an instant.

Mr. Harrison said: "I am shot, Preston, and can
not live."

Preston hastily left his father's side and rushed out
upon the street in pursuit of the assassin.

SHOT IN THE HEART. •

Meanwhile, Mr. and Mrs. W. J. Chalmers, who live
across the street, had started for the Harrison residence,
as they heard the shots. They saw a man rushing up
Ashland Avenue and met the son, Preston, in pursuit.
Young Mr. Harrison stopped long enough to inform his
neighbors of the terrible affair and then started on in
pursuit of the murderer. Mr. 'and Mrs. Chalmers has-
tily entered the house, Mr. Chalmers at once making a

8 ASSASSINATION OF CARTER HARRISON

pillow of his overcoat, which he placed under Mr. Har-
rison's head.

"I have been shot and can not live," said the Mayor,
as he gasped for breath.

"You won't die," said Mr. Chalmers, "you have only
been shot in the abdomen."

"No, I have been shot in the heart, and I know I
can not live," was the reply.

These were the last words of the Mayor. He imme-
diately became unconscious and died at 8:27.

The murderer, pursued by the coachman, ran along
Ashland Avenue toward Monroe street at a breakneck
pace. Coming to Monroe street, he turned east and
started for the city. The pursurer, who had been rein-
forced by an officer and several citizens, gained rapidly
on their man. On they sped until Desplaines street
was reached, when the hunted man again turned to the
north and in a few moments had reached the Desplaines
Street Police Station. He walked in and approached
the Sergeant at the desk.

He was about to speak when the foremost of his
pursurers rushed breathlessly into the Station. " Lock
that man up," said the coachman, " he has killed Mayor
Harrison."

ASSASSINATION OF CARTER HARRISON 9

In an instant the Sergeant was out from behind his
desk, and catching hold of the man's arm, pulled him
within the wire enclosure as though to preserve his life
from a crowd which was gathering with astonishing
rapidity.

GLAD HE vSHOT HIM.

Without waiting to register the prisoner, he was
quickly taken back and placed behind the bars. The
Station was then cleared of the excited people and the
Sergeant went for a talk with the prisoner.

u My name is Eugene Patrick Prendergast," he
said in response to the first inquiry.

" Do you know that you have killed Mayor Harri-
son ? " asked the Sergeant.

u Yes, and I am glad of it," was the answer. " He
promised to give me the Corporation Counselship, and
has not kept his word."

"Where do you live?

u At No. 609 Jane street, with my mother," said
the prisoner. This ended the interview.

The Sergeant at once telephoned the Central Station
and in a few moments several officers from that District
were at the Desplaines Street Station. A patrol was

SCENE OF THE TRAGEDY IN MAYOR HARRISON'S HOME

AvSSASSINATION OF CARTER HARRISON II

called a few minutes later and the prisoner was taken to
the Central Station down town. Here another examin-
ation was held and the revolver which had been taken
from the murderer at the Desplaines Street Station was
given into the keeping of the officer in charge.

TO THE COUNTY JAIL.

Shortly after 1 1 o'clock the patrol was again brought
into requisition for the purpose of conveying the pris-
oner to the county jail. The news that the murderer
had been apprehended spread rapidly down town and
when the officers emerged from the Station in the big
county building they found the crowd of nearly 500
persons assembled about the entrance to, and the walk
from the Station. The prisoner was instantly taken
back into the Station and a consultation held. The
officers, fearing violence to their prisoner from the
crowd without, feared to make the trip, and asked for
reinforcements. A detail of six officers was summoned
and at 11:15 the prisoner, closely guarded, was brought
out of the Station, hurried through the long passageway
to the street and hustled into the wagon in a jiffy. The
officers were barely seated before the wagon was in
motion, and amid the mutterings of the crowd, was
hurried off to the north side, where he was lodged in
the County Jail for safe keeping.

CARTER HENRY HARRISON.
(From His Favorite Photograph)

Sketch of Harrison.

Carter H. Harrison was born in Fayette County,
Kentucky, February 15, 1825. Richard A. Harrison,
Cromwell's Lieutant-General, who led Charles I. to the
block, is his earliest ancestor preserved in the family
archives. The name was conspicuous in Virginia dur-
ing the colonial period, and Carter T. Harrison, his great
grandfather, and his brother, Benjamin Harrison, the
signer of the Declaration of Independence and father of
President William Henry Harrison, enrolled in the an-
nals of the infancy of the United States of America.

Early intermarriages linked the Harrison family
with the Randolphs, Cabells and Carters — two promi-
nent Virginia families. Through the former, Thomas
Jefferson and John Randolph were near of kin, to the
latter the Reeves of Virginia and the Breckiiiridges of
Kentucky, Robert Carter Harrison, grandfather of our

14 ASSASSINATION OF CARTER HARRISON

subject, located in Kentucky in 1812. His father and
grandfather were graduates of William and Mary Col-
lege. When he was eight months old his father died,
but the circumstances of the family was left in an un-
usually promising condition. When he was 15, Carter
was placed under the scholastic care of Dr. Louis Mar-
shall, brother of the Chief Justice and father of the fa-
mous Kentucky orator, Thomas T. Marshall. In 1845
he graduated from Yale College. He then studied law
but did not practice. A short time leisurely spent on
his father's farm, six miles from Lexington, preceded
a trip to Europe in 1851, when he visited every part of
England, Scotland and other parts of Europe and passed
into Egypt and in company with Bayard Taylor, ex-
plored Syria and Asia Minor. Taylor's "Land of the
Saracen" was the result of the tour.

CAME TO CHICAGO IN 1855.

In 1853 ^r- Harrison entered the Transylvania Law
School at Lexington, and finished the course two years
later. In 1855 he came to Chicago. Real estate trans-
actions from that time forward engaged his attention
aside from his political ventures. His political life be-
gan in 1871 when he was elected County Commissioner.

ASSASSINATION OF CARTER HARRISON

111 1872 he was nominated by the Democrats to Congress
to represent a strongly Republican district, but was de-
feated. He reduced the Republican majority so greatly
however, that he was again placed in the field and elected
by a majority of eight votes. At the time he was put
up he was traveling with his family in Germany, Aus-
tria, the Tyrol and Switzerland.

He at once came home to represent his district, but
in 1875 went back, and after traveling through northern
Europe, ended his trip in Paris. His family went to
Germany and he came to Chicago only to be recalled by
the death of his wife. While absent he was re-elected
to Congress. In 1877 his name was first suggested for
the Mayoralty and in April following he was elected by
"a majority of over 5,000, although the city had gone
Republican the fall before by a majority of 7,800. In
1881 he was re-elected by a majority of 8,000, although
the city went Republican the fall before by 8,000. In
this campaign not only the press but the pulpit was op-
possed to him. In 1886 he was re-elected by an in-
creased majority. In the fall of 1884, Mr. Harrison, in
obedience to the peremptory demand of the Democratic
party, was a candidate for Governor of the State of Ill-
inois, but was defeated by Governor Oglesby, the State

1 6 ASSASSINATION OF CARTER HARRISON

being preponderatingly Republican. Mr. Harrison,
however, succeeded in reducing the former majority of
40,000 to 14,500. In the spring of 1885 he was re-elec-
ted Mayor of Chicago. On March ist, 1893, Mr. Harri-
son was again nominated as the candidate of the Demo-
cratic party for the Mayoralty. The campaign, previous
to the nominating convention, was one of the most
active in the political history of the city. It was said
on every side that the World's Fair Mayor must be a
representative man, identified with the growth of the
city, and one who could fill a position which would
require the entertainment of Foreign Princes and digni-
taries with a becoming dignity. Three candidates pre-
sented themselves to the ranks of the Democratic party,
Mr. Harrison, Mr. Creiger and Washington Hesing, and
at the primaries there was a spirited contest. The con-
vention which was called together on March ist, was
one of the largest ever held in Cook county, and some
of its scenes were dramatic in the extreme. The con-
test in the convention was between Mr. Harrison and
Mr. Hesing, and both of them sat side by side on the
platform. After several hours, during which the wildest
confusion reigned in the convention, and matters were
obstructed to such a degree that no business could be

ASSASSINATION OF CARTER HARRISON 17

done, Mr. Heising withdrew his name and Mr. Harrison
was made the unanimous choice of the assembly.

ELECTED WORLD'S FAIR MAYOR.

The campaign preceding the election was one of
the most spirited in the political history of Cook county.
Opposed to Mr. Harrison as the Republican candidate
was Mr. Samuel W. Allerton, who had the support of
every newspaper in the city with the exception of Mr.
Harrison's own paper, The Times. Nothing daunted,
however, by the confident prediction of the press that
he stood not the ghost of a show for re-election, Mr.
Harrison in .his frank and hearty manner, went ahead
with the management of his campaign, and by perfect
organization, and by his presence night after night at
political meetings, and by a vigorous protection of his
interests through his own paper, The Times, Mr. Harri-
son surprised his opponents by beating Mr. Allerton by
a plurality of over 20,000 votes. The result was all the
more surprising because of the confident predictions
which had been made that Mr. Allerton was the choice
of Chicago's citizens and that Mr. Harrison's race for
the Mayoralty did not meet with the sanction of the
people.

Mr. Harrison's Engagement

Had Carter H. Harrison lived for the brief period
of two weeks longer, he would have taken unto himself
a third wife in the person of Miss Annie Howard, of
New Orleans. It is less than two months since his
engagement to the only daughter of the late Cresent
City millionaire and king bee of the Louisiana lottery
was made public. At first the report was received with
incredulity, and even his closest friends were loth to
believe that in view of his advanced years, and especially
of his statements after the death of his second wife,
that thereafter Chicago would be his only bride — that
he contemplated again entering the matrimonial state.
When questioned on the subject, the Mayor was at first
inclined to be reticent and gave jocose and humorous
replies to his interrogators, but finally when a conceal-
ment was no longer possible, he owned up to the soft
impeachment with some light hearted dissertations on

ASSASSINATION OF CARTER HARRISON 19

the power of love, even over gray-headed men ; and to
some of his questioners, he put the pointed question as
to whether they did not think he would make a pretty
vigorous bride-groom for a man of his age. What this
age was he would not definitely say, and some amuse-
ment was created among old residents by his suggestion
that he had yet to round his sixtieth year.

THE WEDDING.

According to the plans so far as they had been
made, it was supposed in the Mayor's inner circles that
the wedding was to have been a decidedly swell affair.
The invitations were to have nin up into the thousands
ranging from President and Mrs. Cleveland down to the
governors of half a dozen States and the Mayors of a
score of cities, whose intimate acquaintance Mayor Har-
rison had enjoyed for years. A special train had already
been chartered for the accommodation of the distin-
guished bride-groom elect, the members of his family
and his most intimate friends. This was the Mayor's
share of the preparation. In New Orleans, according
to letters received from friends of the bride-to be, in that
city the preparations in her own behalf were on an equal

20

ASSASSINATION OF CARTER HARRISON

scale of grandeur, and altogether the event was expected
not merely to dazzle high society of the Crecent City,
but through regal accessories to say nothing of the offi-
cial and social standing of the high contracting parties,
to be a function of national interest. " But man pro-
poses, and God disposes."

Remembered His Friends.

Mr. Harrison was a thorough believer in the creed
that to the victor belongs the spoils. Behind every one
of his appointments was always the assured fact that the
appointee was an enthusiastic Harrison man. He did
not leave minor appointments to the heads of depart-
ments. His influence was felt even down to the janitors
for Chicago's city hall. His frequent remark was : " I
am running this administration."

The treatment of two great municipal problems,
gambling and the social evil, was typical of the man.
He tolerated these places, but kept them under constant
police supervision, on the French principle that these
vices cannot be eradicated, and therefore it is better to
have them so that the police can control them. Morally
under this plan, Chicago was better than ever before.
But besides this — and this was the great object in Har-

22 ASSASSINATION OF CARTER HARRISON

rison's mind — he remained on friendly terms with the
gamblers and others of that ilk, and was always certain
of their support at election time.

Harrison was probably the best of Chicago's long
list of Mayors as far as the welfare of the city was con-
cerned. He had the wisdom to see that a very necessary
condition of political preferment was a clean political as
well as business record.

Shrewdness was perhaps- his most prominent char-
acteristic. His business head showed itself in his pur-
chase of Chicago real estate. He became a very rich
man, largely by the appreciation of the value of prop-
erty that he bought cheap years ago, but whose future
value he saw before others did.

He was possessed of unlimited ambition ; he never
knew when he was defeated. Indeed, in the last Mayor-
alty contest he succeeded simply because he refused to
be beaten. The election was mainly a personal victory,
due largely to his individual characteristics.

In 1890 he aspired to the Mayoralty again, but the
Democratic convention refused to nominate him, so he
bolted it. Not a newspaper in Chicago during this
campaign had a good word to say for him. He ran on

ASSASSINATION OF CARTER HARRISON 23

an independent ticket, cut the Democratic vote squarely
apart, and a Republican was elected Mayor with less
than 2,000 votes to spare over Harrison, who had about
500 less than the regular Democratic nominee. That
election was a lesson to Harrison, and he bought a news-
paper, The Times. When the next Mayoralty battle
came round, two years later, he obtained the nomination,
and was supported by The Times. The Tribune,
Herald, Inter-Ocean, Post, News, Record and Journal
fought him bitterly, yet he defeated the combination by
over 20,000 votes. He did it by his knowledge of
Chicago politics and his long political experience, cou-
pled with his pertinacity, his tact, his power of handling
men, his personal magnetism, his political alliance, his
attitude toward gambling, his newspaper and his money.
The only weapons the other side had with which to fight
him were newspapers and money, for the opposing can-
didate, Mr. Allerton had little to recommend him except
his money and business experience.

RELATED TO EX-PRESIDENT HARRISON.

Mr. Harrison was very proud of his relationship to
ex-President Harrison ; his grandfather and the ex-Pres-
ident's grandfather were brothers. Carter Harrison was

24 ASSASSINATION OF CARTER HARRISON

married in 1855 to Sophy Preston. She died in Europe
in 1876. In 1882 he married Marguerite E. Stearns,
who died in 1887.

Carter Harrison was a very well-read man and had
a large amount of information at his finger tips. He
was also a graceful writer, and had written several books
of travel, the most successful of which was " A Race
with the Sun," being an account of his travels in the far
East. This book caused something of a literary sensa-
tion when it was published a few years ago.

Although a very rich man and fond of the elegan-
cies of life, Mayor Harrison was accustomed on all
occasions to refer to himself "as a man of the people."
He was easily accessible, and his manner was bluff and
and hearty, making no discrimination of persons.

On the occasion of the visit of the Infanta Eulalie,
when, as Mayor of the city, he was her official escort,
he purchased and wore a silk hat — the first one, he took
care, to announce, he had worn in twenty years.

In his official quarters at the City Hall, he main-
tained his character as ua man of the people." He for-
sook the private office where his predecessors were wont
to seclude themselves, and was usually found seated at a

* ASSASSINATION OF CARTER HARRISON 25

desk planted near the middle of the large reception
rooin, where the political "boys" and other visitors
could easily get at him.

During the warm days of summer he sat at his
desk in his shirt sleeves, chatting indiscriminately with
any visitor that chanced in the room. To the* office-
seekers and others who would try to button-hole him
for a confidential talk, it was his wont to say, in a some-
what loud voice, that he had no secrets and that any bod v
who had anything to say to him should "speak up."

SYMPATHIZED WITH THE COMMON PEOPLE.

It was the custom of his enemies to refer to these
habits as illustrations of his demagogy, but, whether
they were demagogic or not, they were not assumed by
Mr. Harrison as a conscious affectation. His sympathies
were with the common people, and it was upon them
that he always relied for such political success as he
achieved. If he had a conviction in politics, it was that
it is the votes that elect, and that, as he was accustomed
to say in his speeches last year, "one vote is as good as
another."

Mr. Harrison was one of those men who in public
affairs had strong likes and dislikes. He made enemies,

26 ASSASSINATION OF CARTER HARRISON ,

as all public men do, but they seldom extended beyond
his political circle. His friends were many, and like the
true Kentuckian that he was, he was steadfast in his
friendships. But even in the heat of a political cam-
paign he was careful to avoid vindictiveness. He was
never sensitive to newspaper criticism ; he accepted it
as something which had to be borne, and he never
flinched.

Mr. Harrison's Fiancee.

Mr. Harrison was to have been married on November
7th, 1893, to Miss Annie Howard, of New Orleans.
She is the daughter of the late Charles T. Howard, who

was at one time one of
the. Lottery Kings at
New Orleans, and who
died about eight years
ago, supposed to have
been worth more than
$20.000,000.00. There
were several children
and Miss Howard's por-
tion of the estate was
estimated at $3,000,000.
She is 29 years old, and
in spite of the luxury in which she was brought up, is
quiet and studious in her tastes and extremely adverse to

28 ASSASSINATION OK CARTKR HARRISON

ostentation and not particularly partial to society. As
a hostess, however, Miss Howard charmed all those who
were fortunate enough to meet her within her own
home circle.

Miss Howard's engagement to Carter Harrison was
not a long one. They met last spring when she came
from New Orleans to visit Carter H. Harrison, Jr., who
was an old school friend of hers.

Miss Howard, after her visit to Carter Harrison, Jr.,
concluded to remain in Chicago, and with that idea in
mind she rented a house at No. 3685 Ellis avenue, not
far from the home of Chief Justice Fuller, and fully six
miles from the home of her fiance.

A great grief came into Miss Howard's life about
eight years ago, which came near making her an invalid
for life. Her father met his death in a very mysterious
manner, presumably a fall from a horse. Mr. Howard
had purchased a fine animal for his daughter , and con-
cluded it would be safer for him to try it, and see if it
was gentle enough for her to ride.

TRAGIC DEATH OF HKR FATHER.

He rode several miles alone and when next seen
he was in the act of walking up to the door of his

ASSASSINATION OF CARTER HARRISON 29

house apparently in great pain. He staggered as* he
reached the door, but was carried inside by the servants
and laid on a sofa. He was unable to speak, however,
and died within a few hours. The accident which
caused Mr. Howard's death occurred at Dobbs Ferry, on
the Hudson, where he had a handsome summer residence.

The tragic and sudden death of her father came as
so great a shock to Miss Howard that she became a
victim of nervous prostration and was unable to leave
her bed for more than a year. After consulting many
of the specialists in this country, Miss Howard went to
London for treatment, where she rapidly got better.
Since then she has been in the best of health.

During her long invalidism Miss Howard was not
idle, but devoted herself and , her fortune to charitable
work, with the result that her name is a household word
in her native city of New Orleans, where she erected
the Howard Memorial Library at a cost of $200,000.
It contains more than 23,000 books, and was erected by
the daughter through a desire to carry out the expressed
wish of her father. She also gave liberally to many
organizations of women and to the St. Paul's Episcopal
church of New Orleans, of which church she is a
member.

CARTER HARRISON'S LAST ADDRESS.

Harrison's Last Public Words.

Standing on the platform by the side of the Colum-
bian Liberty Bell, his left hand grasping the red, white
and blue cord with which he sent the clear notes ringing
out on the crisp and frosty air, Carter H. Harrison
made the last speech that ever fell from his lips on Sat-
urday, October 28, 1893. It was at high noon, just as
Old Sol had reached the zenith and his yellow rays fell
gratefully on the assembled Mayors from almost all the
prominent Cities in the union, who stood in mufflers and
wraps of all kinds and braved the cold, biting winds
that blew from the lake.

It was a brief speech that the Mayor made, but
those who heard the words that fell so spontaneously
from his lips, say that never had he been so eloquent, so
poetical, so brimming over with happy allussions and
sparkling epigram. The speech was not preserved save

32 ASSASSINATION OF CARTER HARRISON

in the memory of those present. They will never for-
get it nor the tragic event which followed in so short a
time afterward.

It is a strange coincidence that Carter Harrison's
last speech should have been at the Liberty Bell, where
on previous occasions, he had delivered probably the two
greatest speeches in all his long and eventful career.
Mr. Harrison had been invited to deliver the farewell
message to the White City, which he did in the morn-
ing of October 28th. After this address he was to bid
godspeed to the Liberty Bell.

At noon Saturday the bell was to peal out its clari-
on message of liberty in honor of the visiting heads of
the American cities. Aldermen Madden and Kerr, the
committee on arrangements, had been delegated to pull
the tri-colored cord that was to set the bell ringing.
Twelve o'clock came, but Alderman Madden had not
arrived. The party stood expectantly around the plat-
form awaiting patiently his arrival. They stamped their
feet upon the hard ground to keep warm, but dispite the
exercise nearly everyone in the party carried a red nose
and blue lips as proof of what Old Boreas and his imps
can do when they are in earnest.

ASSASSINATION OF CARTER HARRISON 33

Mayor Harrison was the jolliest person in all that
vast -crowd. He seemed to be in particularly buoyant
spirits and laughed and joked with his brother Mayors.
So infectious were his jolity aud good natured banter-
ings that the entire party caught the spirit, and it was
remarked more than once that the gathering was more
like a party of school boys on a picnic than an assem-
blage of the most distinguished heads of the greatest
American cities.

RANG THE LIBERTY BELL.

After waiting about ten minutes, as Alderman
Madden had not put in an appearance, Mayor Harrison,
turning to his associates, held up his hand, and in a
cheery voice, full of enthusiasm, shouted : "Why
can't we all ring the Liberty Bell ? "

The effect was magical. The crowd caught the
enthusiasm of the moment, and rushed pell mell
toward the oak scaffolding where hung the bell. The
Mayor and Alderman Kerr lead them. Following close
on their heels were Mayor Bemis, of Omaha, Mayor
Stewart, of Philadelphia, and Mayor Fitzpatrick, of
New Orleans.

34 ASSASSINATION OF CARTER HARRISON

Before the ringing of the bell, however, Mayor Har-
rison made his last speech upon earth. Standing on the
bell-frame, the crisp wind waving his grizzled locks, he
littered such sentiments as were fitting to the occasion.
He spoke eloquently of the message of the bell and of
the trip which it will make around the world. The
audience were charmed with the flow of oratory and, in
conclusion, as he bid the bell u God Speed," they burst
into a storm of cheers.

As the Mayor concluded he pulled the cord and the
glad notes rang out on the air. All of the visiting May-
ors lent a hand in the ringing of the bell. After the
last note had trembled away the Mayor cut the red,
white and blue cord into bits, presented each Mayor with
a memento, and divided the remainder among tne ladies
and children present. The gay party then dispersed.
Little did they dream, as they joked and chatted, what
the night would bring forth.

The Inquest

The post-mortem examination of the body of Car-
ter H. Harrison by Drs. L. J. Mitchell and R. L. Hek-
toeh showed that the assassin Prendergast had fired four
bullets into the Mayor. The report in detail, as made
by Dr. Mitchell to the Coronor, was as follows :

u I fonnd five wound openings on the body, such as
are usually made by bullets."

" No. i passed through the left hand, breaking the
bone of the little finger, and came out in the palm,
forming wound No. 2."

" No. 3 was in the middle line, about five inches
above the navel, passed once through the bowels and
lodged in the muscles of the back. Here a leaden bul-
let was found."

" No. 4 wound was three inches below and to the
right of the right nipple, passed through the right
tenth rib and liver, and a leaden bullet was found in the
bowels."

36 ASSASSINATION OF CARTER HARRISON

" No. 5 wound was just below and in front of the
right shoulder, and passed down under the skin about
four inches. Here a third leaden bullet was found.
There was a considerable quantity of blood in the right
chest, and in the abdomen. I conclude that Carter H.
Harrison came to his death from shock and hemorrhage
following the above bullet wounds."

THE STORY OF THE TRAGEDY.

Man* Hanson, the domestic who let Prendergastin to
the Harrison household told the story of the tragedy to
the coroner's jury. She said Prendergast had come to
the door about 7:30 Saturday night and asked for Mr.
Harrison.

41 What name shall I give?" asked the girl.

44 A city official," was the reply. The girl said she
had orders to receive every one who wanted to see the
Mayor, and she admitted him.

Mayor Harrison left the table and advanced from
the dinning room into the hall. The murderer, who was
full}- twenty feet distant, raised his weapon and fired
without saying a word. Three shots were fired so close-
ly together as to sound like one explosion. Members
of the family in the house, the servants and neighbors

ASSASSINATION OF CARTER HARRISON 37

heard the reports, and within an increditable short time
the dying man was surrounded ; not soon enough to cap-
ture the assassin, however, who had stood at the main
entrance of the hall and did not pursue his victim when
he saw the result of his deadly work.

William Preston Harrison, who was in his room on
an upper floor, heard the shots, turned in a call on a
police alarm box, and hurried down to learn the cause
of the disturbance. The coachman, who had heard the
triple report, came promptly to the rescue and fired sev-
eral shots at the retreating form of the assassin, but
without result.

Stunned by the shock, Mayor Harrison wrent back
to the dining-room he had just left and evidently
attempted to reach his chamber by a rear stairway, as
he passed into the butler's pantry. There his strength
failed him and he sank to the floor. It was there he
was found by W. J. Chalmers, who lived across the
street on Ashland boulevard.

Mr. Chalmers too, had heard the sound of the
revolver, and saw the murderer running away. Hasten-
ing to the Harrison mansion he found the front door
open and entered. Proceeding into the dining-room he

38 ASSASSINATION OF CARTER HARRISON

saw through the open door Mr. Harrison lying on the
floor of the pantry.

"This is death, Chalmers," said Mr." Harrison, " I
am shot through the heart."

Making a hasty examination, Mr. Chalmers said,
u you are mistaken, Mr. Harrison. You are shot in the
stomach."

" No, through the heart, I tell you," said the dying
man, with a return of his customary vigor, and then
relapsed into a state of semi-unconsciousness.

Mr. Harrison asked to see his sons and daughters,
said he knew he was going to die, but made no further
statements concerning the assault.

Within a few minutes after the shots were fired Dr.
Foster, who had been summoned, arrived, and almost
simultaneously came Drs. Lyman, Washburn and
Thomas. There was nothing to be done. The assas-
sin's bullet had accomplished its purpose. Death had
already glazed the eye of the victim, and medical science
was useless.

Death came quickly and apparently without great
pain to the victim. His breath came in shorter gasps,
until at the end the respirations were like those of a

ASSASSINATION OF CARTER HARRISON 39

little child — faint and gentle, with neither convulsion
nor a struggle. The end came as peacefully as one
might expect at the passing away of a baby.

Win. Preston Harrison, the Mayor's son, also told
the jury what he knew of the tragedy. " Father came
home from the Fair tired, but in rare good humor," he
said. "I had never seen him in better spirits. We
lingered at dinner longer than usual, and as I had an
engagement, I left him and went up stairs. I had been
there but a few minutes — I think it was about 7:30
o'clock — when I heard a noise that sounded like a fall-
ing window. Startled, I waited a moment, thinking the
noise came from the street. When the second shot
came I turned in an alarm on the police call and ran
down stairs. By this time the third shot had been fired.
I was then on the main floor, heard the shots fired at
the retreating assassin by the coachman, and in a
moment Mr. Chalmers was with me, assisting me to
raise father into a comfortable position."

UI heard him say, 'This is death,' but even then I
did not realize that the result could be fatal. Then the
doctors came and the crowds — and then the end."

Sergeant McDonald testified that Prendergast had

40 ASSASSINATION OF CARTER HARRISON

come into the station about eight o'clock Saturday-
night and confessed having shot Mr. Harrison, saying
he had done it because the Mayor had broken faith
with him in not appointing him Corporation Counsel.
Several other witnesses were examined, and Prendergast
was asked if he had anything to say. He refused to
answer.

The verdict was that Mr. Harrison had died from
shock and hemorrhage caused by the bullets fired by
Patrick Eugene Prendergast.

Prendergast in Jail.

The only touch of feeling manifested by Prender-
gast since the crime was committed was during the
inquest. Mrs. W. J. Calmers, who lived across the street
from the Mayor's home, was in the room when the
inquest was being held. Prendergast's attention was
attracted to her, and leaning toward Lieut. Haas, he
said:

"Is that Mrs. Harrison?"

"No," replied the officer, "It is not. Why did
you ask."

"I wanted to tell her," replied Pendergast, "that I
am sorry for her trouble."

When taken to the jail Prendergast, seemed abso-
lutely indifferent to his surroundings and situation. A
very complete search was made of his clothing at the
jail, but nothing was found excepting $i in money.
While the formality of delivering the prisoner to the

42 ASSASSINATION OF CARTER HARRISON

jail authorities was in progress Pendergast occupied him-
self in lacing up his shoes, which had been removed for
the purpose of searching him. He was then conducted
to cell ii. It was occupied at the time by Jung Jack
Lin, the Chinese who is iinder life sentence for the
murder of his cousin and another Chinese named Tom
Long, awaiting trial for larceny. The Chinese were
transferred and Prendergast locked up.

IN A HISTORIC CELL.

No. ii is an historic cell, being the one that con-
tained Lingg, the anarchist, when he committed suicide.
Dr. Scudder was also an occupant when he caused his
own death by taking morphine.

While the cell was being examined, Prendergast sat
down on a bench in the cage. He brightened up and
entered into a conversation with Clerk Price. He did
not, however, seem inclined to talk about his crime, but
asked to see the papers. Parts of the Sunday papers
were handed him, but none of them the local news
sheets. Prendergast quickly noticed this and asked for
the account of the murder. This was handed him and
he read down the columns in an apparently mechanical
manner. Then he dropped the papers and said:. "I did

ASSASSINATION OF CARTER HARRISON 43

my duty," repeating this sentence several times. He
then relapsed into silence and would say nothing more.
After entering the cell he threw himself upon the bed,
clasping his hand behind his head. Clerk Price then
sent to the jail kitchen and ordered dinner for Prender-
gast, as he had expressed himself to be hungry. The
regular jail dinner was brought to him, consisting of soup,
rost beef and vegetables. Prendergast ate everything
that was given him and then lit a cigar and was inclined
to talk.

" I am very tired," he said, "having been bothered
by so many people today. I feel greatly relieved, as a
great strain is off my mind. I have done my duty and
I think the majority of people when they know this will
be on my side. I shall get out clear. I do not mind
the physical confinement at all and my mind is now clear."

u What was your reason for killing the Mayor ?"

was asked.

Prendergast replied emphatically : "I was to have
head the position of Corporation Counsel, but he played
false to me, and I only did right in killing him. I did
not know that I had fired three shots at him until I read
it in the papers. I was of the impression that I had
onlv fired twice. I fired another shot as I went away to

44 ASSASSINATION OF CARTER HARRISON

prevent any one following me, as I expected a large
crowd would follow me."

"Did Mr. Harrison say anything to you when you
met him in the house?"

Prendergast replied : " No ; I drew my revolver
and fired. After the first shot Mr. Harrison shouted
'murder,' but I did not hear him say anything else. I
ran away pretty quickly, and caught a street car."

Here Prendergast declared he was tired, and would
not talk any more.

Promised to Kill the Mayor,

Developments go far toward indicating that Prender-
gast had murder in his heart for several days. One
afternoon he entered Billy Boyle's chop house on
Calhoon place and took a seat at a table occupied by W.
A. S. Graham, the murdered Mayor's secretary, and anoth-
er gentleman well-known in financial circles.

Graham, who was acquainted with Prendergast,
introduced him to his friend and both gentlemen noticed
that the new comer was laboring under intense excite-
ment. Presently, without any remarks being exchanged
to lay a foundation for what was coming, Prendergast
burst into a bitter denunciation of the Mayor for what
he declared was the lattter's opposition to the elevation
of the surface railroad tracks. This was a subject that
has long been agitated in local politics and one to which
public sentiment has frequently been expressed with
emphasis.

PATRICK EUGENE PRENDERGAST. THE ' ASSASSIN.

ASSASSINATION OF CARTER HARRISON 47

"If he don't elevate the tracks I will kill him."
UI will shoot him dead," ejaculated Prendergast,
bringing his fist down on the table with a force that
made the dishes rattle and attract the attention of the
other patrons of the place. The gentlemen addressed
simply smiled at him, attributing the strong language to
the excitement under which he was laboring. Observ-
ing this, he again ejaculated, this time with still greater
vehemence, uYes, I will kill him; mark what I say.
Unless he does it he is a dead man."

Not imagining for a moment that Prendergast
cherished any murder in his heart, Secretary Graham
adroitly changed the subject, and the man's excitement
gradually subsided, and when he left the place he had
apparently forgotten what he had said in the heat of
passion a few moments before. Neither of the gentle-
men thought any more of the subject and Secretary
Graham regarded it as so trivial. As far as is known he
did not mention the subject to his chief.

A SINGLE TAX ADVOCATE.

Speaking of Prendergrast, Joseph Gruenhut, the
city labor statistical! said: "I knew Prendergrast well.
He was a crank if their ever was one. He was also a

48 ASSASSINATION OF CARTER HARRISON

single tax advocate and frequently came into labor meet-
ings to advance his opinions. Whenever he spoke he
would preface his remarks by saying: "My name is
Prendergast." He would stop "people on the streets to
endeavor to convert them.

He never belonged to a labor organization. He
was as well known to George Schilling as to myself and
we had frequently talked about him and had both
expressed the fear that he might do something rash."

Corparotion Counsel Kraus says that once Prender-
gast entered his office and demanded the keys of the
desk, saying that he had been sent by Mayor Harrison
to take posession. Secretary Dickson saw that Pren-
dergrast had one hand in his pocket and he signaled to
Mr. Kraus to be careful. The Corporation Counsel said
to Prendergast: Of course I am ready to give possession,
but as a favor I would like to stay here to finish some
very important business."

"That's all right, Mr., Kraus," replied Prendergast:
"don't hurry, any time will do."

"Meanwhile," added Mr. Kraus, "let me introduce
you to the other gentlemen in the office."

This delighted Prendergast, and after he had shaken
hands all round he left in the best of temper.

Burial of Carter Harrison.

The last popular outpouring in honor of Carter
H. Harrison was the greatest of all. It revealed some-
thing of the hold which he had upon the people who
live in Chicago. The overwhelming testimonial had no
tinge of politics. It was an observance of and by the
citizens representing all beliefs and all stations.

The funeral filled the entire day. It oveshadowed
every other incident of the day's life. It blocked wide
streets for mile upon mile. It mustered out a great
army which was half military and half civic. It stopped
the traffic in the streets, brought business to a stand-
still and realized to the fullest extent the ambition of
the man who had passed away. He had said that it was
his desire to carry with him to the grave the respect and
admiration of his fellow citizens. His desire was fulfilled.
The honors awaiting him, had he been spared the cruel
assasination, could not have compared with those offered.

50 ASSASSINATION OF CARTER HARRISON

Those who had fought with him and those who had
fought against him in the strife for political supremacy
marched under one -furled flag and wore the same badge
of mourning.

The funeral cortege reached its giant length half-
way across the great city and moved slowly between
black, immovable banks of hnshed people. Aroimd the
city hall a multitude, along each street two deep fringes
of humanity, roofs and windows crowded everywhere
and the long winding march through the west and north
divisions hemmed in at ever}' foot by close walls of
spectators.

The scenes around the catafalco in the early morn-
ing, the incident of the tedious march, the massing of
thousands of people around the church in Ashland
avenue and the movement of the multitude toward the
the cemetery make up a day which must become mem-
orable, inasmuch as such tributes were never before paid
to the mortal remains of any citizen of Chicago. The
streets had the jam and hurry of a| great holiday without
any of the noise and disorder. From the time the black
and gold hearse drew away from the shadows of the
draped city hall in the morning until it entered the green
shades of Groveland cemetery at early dark, it made its

ASSASSINATION OF CARTER HARRISON 51

way between lines of respectful people, nearly everyone
whom had seen Carter Harrison in life, had heard him
speak and, therefore, felt something of personal interest
in the monster ceremonies. They recognized the rider-
less horse as the one on which he had galloped over the
boulevards, when even the children knew him and
pointed him out. They recalled many of the confiden-
tial things he had told his audiences, of how long he
expected to live and how he hoped to be remembered.
It seemed that everv one had known Carter Harrison.

Tributes of Respect.

BLOOMINGTON, 111, Oct. 29. — Ex-Govenor Joseph
W. Fifer, when asked what he had to say upon the death
of Mayor Harrison, said:

I have known Carter Harrison many years by rep-
utation and during the past five years I became person-
ally acquainted with him and since that time had known
him quite well. He had been closely identified with
the interests of Chicago and the State for more than
twenty-five years. He was a man of kind heart and a
generous disposition and he exerted a greater influence
over all classes and ifationalities than any man I ever
knew. He had many warm personal friends, and he
deserved them well. He had executive ability of high
order and held many positions of high trust, and I believe
his honesty and integrity were never questioned, He
enjoyed the confidence and respect of his fellow citizens
and his death will be universally mourned by the peo-
ple of Illinois without regard to party. He held a high
place in the councils of his party and stood a better
chance for the United States Senate than any other
democrat. In my judgment he occupied a place and
wielded an influence in the party in which it will be
impossible, for the present at least, to fill.

ASSASSINATION OF CARTER HARRISON 53

Politically speaking, the democratic party of Illinois
could not have sustained so great a loss in the death of
of any other man. The manner and time of his death
render his tragic taking off peculiarly distressing to his
family, his friends and the public. It would seem that
Prendergast, the assassin, was a crazy man or a crank.
This class of people are far more numerous than the
general public may. suspect, as every one who has held
high office can testify. Acting under the influence of
some fancied wrong, they beccme dangerous to all those
who dispense patronage or favors. They may not be
insane to the extent of being sent to an insane asylum,
and yet they are more dangerous than the vast majority
of inmates confined in such places. I believe there
should be some amendment to our laws whereby such
person could be restrained by being placed in confine-
ment, whereby they can work no injury.

INDIANAPOUS, October 28, 1893:

Mrs. Heaton Wolsey: — My daughter, Mrs. McKee, joins with me
in offering to you and to the family the fullest sympathy of our hearts
in your appalling sorrow. BENJAMIN HARRISON.

To William Preston Harrison, Chicago: — I tender to the surviv-
ing members of your father's family sincere sympathy in their great
sorrow. W. Q..GRESHAM.

To W. P. and C. H. Harrison, Chicago: — I beg to extend my
profound sympathies in your great bereavement. No words of mine
can express my sorrow. Please advise me what day the funeral will
occur. Will attend if possible. A. E. STKVKNS.

From Don M. Dickinson came the following tele-
gram to Carter Harrison, Jr.:

The whole country and the world at large had come to know and

54 ASS A ss r x AT i ox o K c A RTF. R H A R R i s < > x

appreciate the noble and manly character of your distinguished father,
and mourn with you. I, who knew him personally, and valued his
friendship and his council in public affairs, had for him, for his learn-
ing, his ability and his sturdy Americanism, a profound admiration
and respect, and I tender to you and the family the heartfelt expression
of my grief and sympathy.

GRAND PACIFIC HOTKL, October 29, 1893.

Dear ^fr. Harrison: — I trust you will allow me as a friend —
through his sweet courtesy to me — of your dear father, to express the
deep sympathy which I feel with you all in your terrible affliction.
We are all aghast at the terrible tragedy which has deprived you of
father and the country of such a citizen, believe me to be sincere and
sorrowfully yours, HKNRY IRVING.

I sympathize with you in your terrible affliction and hope that
you and yours may be given strength to bear up under it.

JOHN R. WAUSH.

BURIJNGTOX, Iowa, Octocer29. 1893.

A pretty story has been told concerning a visit made t© Burling-
ton by Mayor Harrison, He remained over one night enroute home
from a western trip. It was, as stated, shortly after the death of his
first wife. A number of Burlington citizens and politicians learned
that Mr. Harrison was in the city and made arrangements to give him
a reception. Mr. Harrison, however, objected, stating that he did not
desire it/ Said he: "The loved one whom I so recently lost once lived
on those beautiful hills of yoiir city. I do not care to mark my visit
hereby a round of merrymaking. I thank you very much." It is
farther said that Mr. Harrison made a journey to a certain old tree on
one of the hills of Burlington, where it is said that he and his first wife
held their trysts in the happy summer evenings of courtship.

ROCKFORD, 111., October 29, 1893.

The announcement of the cruel taking off of Carter Harrison
created the most intense excitement here. The assassination was
alluded to by the pastors of the several churches in their sermons, and

ASSASSINATION OF CARTER HARRISON 55

all day long- knots of people assembled on the streets and the public
resorts and discussed the great crime. Not since Guitean's bullet ended
Garfield's existence fias this city been so profoundly stirred. Mayor
Harrison had frequently delivered political addresses here and was
therefore well acquainted with the leading men of both parties as t well
as the business community. Rev. Dr. Barrows says he considered Mr.
Harrison a typical son of Chicago, as he was restless, active, aggressive
ane inordinately ambitious. He did much for Chicago and the fair,
and it is conspiciously regrettable that he could not have lived to see
the end of the great undertaking. Rev. Dr. Kerr was so depressed at
the shocking news that it was with difficulty he finished his sermon.
He paid a marked tribute to the dead Mayor, whom he pronounced
one of the builders of the mighty west.

LONDON, October, 31, 1893.

The representative of the United Press to-day had an interview
with Michael Davitt, the Irish leader, on the subject of the assassina-
tion of Mayor Carter Harrison, of Chicago. Mr. Davitt said that he
knew Carter Harrison intimately. He was an uncompromising friend
of the Irish cause. His tragic end, Mr. Davitt added, would be deeply
mourned by Irish-Americans. In speaking of Mr. Harrison's abilities,
Mr. Davitt said that he was the greatest administrator of citizens' affairs
who had ever presided over the municipal council of Chicago. Among
other things he had succeeded in enormously increasing the financial
credit of the city. According to Mr. Davitt, Mr. Harrison might
possibly have been, had he lived, a" candidate for the Presidency of
the United States.

Letters Sent by Prendergast.

WASHINGTON, D. C., October 29 — Prendergast's
bullets which took the life of Mayor Carter Harrison
might have found lodgment in the heart of a United
States Senator, or even the President of the United
States. For full two weeks before the murder, the
assassin had been directing messages through the mails
to at least one United States Senator which indicated
that his mind was wrought up intensely against Presi-
dent Cleveland. The burden of all these communica-
tions was the silver question, and Prendergast disclosed
that he was a devoted of silver, even to the point of
showing and unbalanced mind.

The letters came to Senator Dubois, of Idaho, who
has been the nominal leader of the silver forces in the
Senate during the last month. The first letter came
about October 9, and since then a morning has not
passed without the receipt of a letter from Prendergast.

ASSASSINATION OF CARTER HARRISON 57

They came at the same time each day, indicating that
the writer was pursuing a regular daily course and was
writing in response to an impulse. The Senator's cus-
tom is to have all his mail pass through the hands of
his private secretary, Mr. Borlan, who sorts out the
important letters to receive the immediate attention of
the Senator.

Following are some of the letters:

OCTOBER 21, 1893.

Dear Sir: — I think that Grover Cleveland has met with the same
fate that John L. Suilivan did at the hands of J. J. Corbett lately.
There is no possibility that repeal can come unless some infamous,
unconstitutional or unusual practice is resorted to, and if cloture is
adopted it is resorted to at the risk of our national peace,and none but
enemies of the government will consent to such dishonorable methods
to choke the popular voice. Unless cloture, there is no possibility
that repeal will come, and if there is any way of overwhelming clot-
ure repeal cannot come. Yours Sincerely,

P. EUGENE Jos PRENDERGAST.

OCTOBER 22, 1893.

Dear Hon. Sir: — The cause of unconstitutional repeal of the pur-
chase clause of the Sherman act is not hopeless unless the Senator from
New York and'the Senator from Indiana can obtain a sufficient num-
ber of signatures or pledges to a resolution for a cloture. I do not
think that any of the honorable Senators among your opponents will
sustain or support any such dishonorable or infamous cause. There-
fore those who contend for silver need not accept nor consider any com-
promise unless the Senators from New York and Indiana succeed. If
they cannot find a sufficient number to indorse cloture, silver is safe,
and I do not think they can recover. The president is defeated and
would cover his retreat with compromise. P. E. J. PRENDERGAST.

58 ASSASSINATION OF CARTER HARRISON

Next day Senator Dubois received the following:

My Dear Honorable Sir: — If your opponents in this present strug-
gle resort to cloture as a last resort, and you cannot find any way by
which cloture can be defeated, only then need you accept compromise
as the next best thing to the unconditional repeal of the purchase
clause. I think yourself and honorable colleagues can find some way
of defeating cloture if you are not lacking the necessary courage. Clot-
ure would endanger our national peace. E. P. J. PRENDERGAST.

Another communication bears the date of October
24, 1893, and is as follows:

My Dear Sir: — As the silverites are firm, strong and patient and
full of fight and hold out till the last they can win beyond a doubt.
Your opponents are conspiring and will conspire. The president has
not given one single good reason why repeal should take place. It is
simply the whim of Grover Cleveland. Is the Senate of the United
States going to yield up and sacrifice the people to the whim of an
irresponsible executive? Your opponents dare not attempt cloture
and if they do the infamy will rest upon themselves. Repeal is
impossible with out cloture and your opponents must surrender. If you
do not be a victim to their artifices look for their coup detat. Sincerely,

P. E. J. PRB;NDERGAST.

The foregoing communications show what close
track Prendergast kept of every move of the Senate for the
facts he states concerning the purpose of the different
elements are closely in line with the plans discussed in
the Senate on the days his letters were written. It is
noticable that the date of each communication is one
day earlier than the stamp mark of the Chicago post-
office, showing that in each case Prendergast held his
letter over night.

Grief at the Capitol.

WASHINGTON, October 29, 1893.

The assassination of Mayor Harrison was the sub-
ject of universal comment in the Capitol City, and
expressions of deep regret at the tragedy were heard on
every side. Mr. Harrison was personally known to
many of the older members of congress, having served
with some of them in the house sixteen years ago. That
was when Samuel J. Randall was speaker, and there
were in the house such men as James G. Elaine, Nathan-
iel P. Banks, "Sunset" Cox, James A. Garfield, Ben Hill,
Abram S. Hewitt, J. Randolph Tucker, George W. Mc-
Creary, J/ Proctor Knott, John A. Kasson, Fernando
Wood, Iy. Q. C. Lamar, Henry Watterson and Erastus
Wells. Senators Blackburn, Hale, Frye, Wilson, Hun-
ton and Vance were then members of the House, and in
the Illinois delegation with Mr. Harrison were Joseph
G. Cannon, John R. Eden, Col. Win. R. Morrison, W.

60 ASSASSINATION OF CARTER HARRISON

A. J. Sparks, Scott Wike, Greenbury L. Fort, Stephen
A. Hurlbut, General Thomas A. Henderson, J. V. Far-
well, William Springer and Adlai E. Stevenson.

Those who are still there in public service, remem-
ber Mr. Harrison as a member of congress, who in only
two terms acquired notional prominence and impressed
himself upon the legislation that was then enacted.
Vigorous, aggressive, genial with his associates and
courteous to his opponents, an easy talker and a good
debater, he promptly became perhaps the most conspi-
cious member of the delegation.

SOME OF HIS WORK IN CONGRESS.

He earl\- attracted national reputation by the intro-
duction and advocacy of a bill to extend the term of the
Presidency from four to six years and to limit that offi-
cial to one term. He added to his reputation for effect-
ive oratory by his speeches in behalf of Indian rights,
and a speech which he made in relation to the United
States Marine Band provoked quite as much laughter
and attracted almost as much attention as Proctor
Knott's famous speech on the city of Duluth. Mr. Har-
rison's speech upon this occasion, it is said, was the
means of continuing the appropriation for the Marine

ASSASSINATION OF CARTER HARRISON 6 1

Band and thus saving that musical organization from
dissolution. During his service in the house he was
most active in support of the amnesty measures growing
out of the war of the rebellion. He earnestly supported
the bill carrying an appropriation for the Philadelphia
Centennial Exposition and was one of the most promi-
nent champions of the measure from west of the Alle-
ghanies.

The measure which drew attention to Mr. Harrison
was a bill to amend the election law so as to require the
vote for congressmen to be cast in a separate ballot, his
argument being that the congressional ticket ought to
be free from the influence of the local ticket, and a con-
gressman would thus be rendered more independent. All
of these points in Mr. Harrison's public service here are
now recalled by his old associates.

Mr. Cleveland had known Mr. Harrison since the
beginning of his first term as President. They had met
on several official occasions, the last time at the opening
of the World's Fair, when Mayor Harrison, as the offi-
cial representative of the City of Chicago, received the
President and extended to him the usual courtesies. The
association was never intimate or anything more than a
mere acquaintanceship. It is said that Mr. Harrison

62 ASSASSINATION OF CARTER HARRISON

never asked the President for any political favors, except
the appointment of ex-Congressman Frank Lawler as
Postmaster at Chicago. President Cleveland, however,
for reasons best known to himself, has given that ap-
pointment to Mr. Washington Hesing.
*.

VIEWS OF THE VICE-PRESIDENT.

Vice-President ^dlai Stevenson, who served with
Mr. Harrison in thej House during the Forty-Fourth
Congress, was one of his personal friends and admirers.
"I was most deeply shocked to hear of the tragedy," said
the Vice-President, "and no one can deplore more than I
do his untimely talcing off. The horror of the tragedy
is appalling. He was an able man, an eloquent advocate
of the people's rights and a sincere friend. The influ-
ence of his counsels in the party to which he belonged
will be missed, for he was a wise counselor, an earnest
partisan and a thorough American patriot."

Mr. Aldrich, the representative from the first Chi-
cago district, said: uThe news of Mr. Harrison's death
and the tragic manner of it came to me, as it would to
any citizen of Chicago, as a great shock, the result of a
monstrous crime. The first thought of those who are

ASSASSINATION OF CARTER HARRISON 63"

not familiar with the city; would, perhaps, be that it was
the result of another Anarchistic outbreak, but this, in
my opinion, is not true. I think the feeling throughout
the country that Anarchy is deep-rooted in Chicago is
overdrawn. There is not so much of it there as is popu-
larly supposed in other cities. A large proportion of our
population is foreign, it is true, and the Haymarket in-
cident led people to magnify the conditions. I do not
believe there is very much difference between Chicago
and any other large city. Mr. Harrison was a peculiarly
popular man in Chicago with the masses and was the
best campaigner I ever knew. He was a man of vigor-
ous constitution, of great energy and force of character."

"Rest on embalmed and honored dead,

Great was the life yon gave;
No impious footsteps e'er shall tread

The herbage of your grave.
Nor shall your memory be forgot,

While Fatne her record keeps;
Or Glory points the hallow'd spot

Where Genius proudly sleeps."