Erastus Horton Harris
Sex: M
Individual Information
Birth Date: 15 Apr 1890 - New Orleans, Orleans, Louisiana, USA
Christening:
Death: 4 Aug 1914 - New Orleans, Orleans, Louisiana, USA
Burial: in Lafayette Cemetery No 1, New Orleans, Orleans, Louisiana, USA
Cause of Death: Shot himself at 24 years old
Parents
Father: John Adam Harris {FGID: 87832156}
Mother: May Crumhorn
Notes
General:
Per New Orleans birth index:Research:
Harris, Erastus Horton M W 04/15/1890
Father: Jno. A. Harris
Mother: Mary Crumhorn
Volume 95 Page 386
Per 1900 U S Census
John Harris, a white male, is head of household at 5027 Constance St in New Orleans, LA. He was born in September 1859 and is 40 years old. He has been married for 6 years, was born in Louisiana as were his parents. He owns his house, but has a mortgage. He can read and write.
I can't read his occupation. Living with him is his wife, Emerita, and three kids, Earl, Hazel and J Ashton by his current wife, and his son E Horton by his first wife May Crumhorn. Emerita M. Harris is 41 years old, born in May 1859 in Louisiana, her father in France, her mother in Louisiana. The children were all born in Louisiana: Earl P. Harris, 4 years old, September 1895; Hazel A. Harris, 3 years old, November 1896; and Ashton J. Harris, 1 year old, September 1898. Erastus H. Harris is 10 years old, April 1890. Erastus is attending school, speaks English, and can read and write.
A family boards with them, Marie Gurley, Walter M. Gurley, Walter M. Gurley, Jr., and Marie K. Gurley.
There is also a black female servant, 18 year old Frances Serr.
Per 1906 Jambalaya Yearbook, Tulane University, New Orleans, Louisiana
CLASS OF 1909 STATISTICS
Harris, E. Horton.--Mechanical Engineering; Cross County Club; Forum.
Per Times-Picayune (New Orleans, LA) June 4, 1913 Page 9
DUPRE RETURNS THURSDAY.
Congressman H. Garland Dupre, of the Second Louisiana District, will return to Washington Thursday morning. His private secretary, Mr. Horton Harris, a well-known newspaper man of this city, who has been here with Mr. Dupre, will return with him. Mr. Harris has been taking a course in law at Georgetown University and he likes Washington.
Per New Orleans Item August 4, 1914 Page 3
HORTON HARRIS ENDS LIFE WITH BULLET
Kills Self in Office of Representative Garland Dupre
E. Horton Harris, former newspaper man and later secretary to Representative Garland Dupre, committed suicide sometime during the night by shooting himself through the head. He had seated himself in a Morris chair in Mr. Dupre's private office on the third floor of the Hennen annex. A 38-caliber revolver rested in his lap.
The body was found at 7 A. M. by the porter of the building, Randal Dent, 613 General Taylor street, who notified the police. The young man's father, John A. Harris, living at 6026 Perrier street, was then communicated with.
The police and family can give no motive for the suicide. Harris, who was 24 years old. lived in New Orleans with an aunt, Mrs. G. C. Grumborn, at 1434 Constance street. As secretary to Garland Dupree he spent much of his time in Washington.
The bullet that ended his life went through his head from the right side. It was found upon the floor where it had dropped, a twisted piece of lead. On a table close to the door and eight feet from the chair was spread Mr. Harris' railroad mileage book, several post cards, but nothing in writing that might lead friends to imagine he intended taking his life. At 10 o'clock or just before a Mr. Echezabald, sharing one of the suite of offices with Mr. Dupre, left for the night. Mr. Harris asked him for his keys, saying his key did not fit the door and he intended to return.
Harris is supposed to have shot himself about 11 P. M.
From the Morris chair in which the body was found it was sent in the central police station motor patrol to the morgue, where, two hours later, the father of the young man was summoned to the office of Police Superintendent James W. Reynolds.
"I am heart broken over the death of Horton," said Congressman H. Garland Dupre. " He was one of the most lovable and best boys in the world. My whole family loved him and my mother was so disturbed over the telegram announcing his suicide, that she is now on her way here from Opelousas.
:There is no possible accounting for this deed. He entered my service just two years ago this fall and was studying law at Georgetown university in Washington, where he was doing well. His work was entirely satisfactory and I never dreamed of any serious trouble that would have led to this end."
Per Times-Picayune (New Orleans, LA) August 5, 1914 Page 5
E. HORTON HARRIS FIRES BULLET INTO HIS BRAIN
Promising Career of Well-Known Young Orleanian Brought to End
E. Horton Harris, secretary to Congressman H. Garland Dupre, a law student at Georgetown University in the national capital, and formerly a brilliant young newspaper man of this city, shot himself to death in the private law office of Mr. Dupre, in the Hennon Building Annex in Common street, Monday night. The hour of his death is not definitely known. Mr. Harris has been at home from Washington several weeks, and his friends had not seen anything in his manner indicating despondency. On the contrary he seemed to be cheerful and jolly.
The body of Mr. Harris was found by the negro janitor of the building at 7:30 o'clock Tuesday morning when he opened the office. It was resting in a large leather reclining chair, and a .38-caliber revolver was in his lap. The porter notified the police and the coroner was called. It was found that the bullet had passed entirely through Mr. Harris' head, after entering on the right side. The twisted piece of lead was found on the floor.
HEARD PISTOL SHOT
Mr. Harris was at the office just before closing time in the evening Monday, and after joking with Mr. Echezabal, an attorney having offices in the suite, and others, asked that the office be left unlocked at night, as he wanted to do some work and did not have a key. Mr. Echezabal, rather than leave the door unlocked, gave his key to Mr. Harris.
Men of an office on the upper floor said that about 9:30 o'clock Tuesday [Monday] night they heard what sounded like a pistol shot below, but believed it might have been the popping of an automobile tire. No note nor anything to indicate why the young man committed suicide was found. It was said by the family that he was engaged to be married to a lovely young woman in this city. His father is John A. Harris of the United States revenue office in the Custom House, and for twenty years or more engaged in the cotton business on the river front and as a deputy port commissioner. The father said he was entirely bewildered as to any reason why Horton should have shot himself. He had not noticed any indication that he was not in good spirits.
Horton Harris was twenty-four years of age. He was born in New Orleans, and after finishing the High School course in the public schools he was appointed by Mayor Behrman to a scholarship in Tulane University. He was a reporter on the local staff of The Times-Democrat, and later in charge of the sporting page. While thus engaged he was appointed, about eighteen months ago, private secretary to Mr. Dupre, in which capacity he was serving at the time of his death. Mr. Dupre said the young man was remarkably efficient, and that he regarded him almost as one of his family. Mr. Dupre's mother and sister, who were with him at Washington, also regarded the young man highly, and left their home at Opelousas Tuesday to come to the city as soon as they heard of the sad event.
HAD MANY FRIENDS
Mr. Harris was very popular, both in New Orleans and Washington. Col. John P. Sullivan said Tuesday he regarded him as one of the most promising young men in the city. When he was a newspaper reporter every one had confidence in him, and he had a faculty of making friends that was remarkable. Col. Sullivan said that if he had lived and entered public life, as he had no doubt would have done, the possibilities of his advancement were unlimited. Similar comments were made by many others who knew him.
The young man's father was almost overcome with grief at the death of his oldest son. He has been married twice and Horton was the only child by the first marriage. By the second marriage there are two sons, Earl and Ashton, and a daughter, Miss Hazel Harris.
Last year Ashton Harris was attacked by two negroes while in State street with a companion, and his throat was cut. He recovered after lingering near death for some time. The family home is at 6020 Perrier street, but the members of the family were spending the summer near Biloxi, on the Gulf coast.
Mr. Harris' remains were taken to the home of his aunt, Mrs. Sarah E. Crumhorn, 1434 Constance street, from which the funeral will be held.
MOURNED IN WASHINGTON
Young Secretary's Death Regretted in Many Circles at Capital
Staff Special to The Time-Picayune
Washington. Aug. 4 -- Deep sorrow as a result of the death of Horton Harris was not limited to-day to the Louisiana delegation. In the office building of the House of Representatives where Mr. Harris spent most of his time in the active discharge of his duties as the secretary of Representative Dupre, he was well known. He was very popular and had the reputation of being one of the quickest witted employees on his floor. He was also well known in the offices of the Public Health Service, where expressions of regret were general.
Per New Orleans Item Page 2
E. Horton Harris Buried Wednesday
The funeral of E. Horton Harris, private secretary to Congressman Dupre, who committed suicide, takes place this summer afternoon at 4 [news print is garbled here] ... short time ... was in receipt of a number of telegrams from Mr. Harris' friends in Washington. One message was from associates in the Luxor, where he lived, and around the capitol, bore sympathy to the family and to Mr. Dupre and directed that floral tribute be sent.
Per New Orleans, Louisiana, Death Records Index, 1804-1949
Name: E. Horton Harris
Age:24 Birth Year: abt 1890
Death Date: 4 Aug 1914
Harris E. Horton 24 yrs - W 08/04/1914 161 164Medical:
Per Death certificate
E. Horton Harris (white) a native of Louisiana, aged 24 years, departed this life this day (4 Aug 1914) in Cora Building Common & Variety Alley in this city. Cause of death - Perforating Gun Shot Wound of the Head - Cerebral Hemourage. Certificate of coronor Dr J. OHara. Deceased was unmarried, a clerk and resided at No 1437 Constance St.
Per the Times-Picayune 08-05-1914
E. HORTON HARRIS FIRES BULLET INTO HIS BRAIN
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Promising Career of Well-Known Young Orleanian Brought to End
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E. Horton Harris, secretary to Congressman H. Garland Dupre, a law student at Georgetown University in the national capital, and formerly a brilliant young newspaper man of this city, shot himself to death in the private law office of Mr. Dupre, in the Hennon Building Annex in Common street, Monday night. The hour of his death is not definitely known. Mr. Harris has been at home from Washington several weeks, and his friends had not seen anything in his manner indicating despondency. On the contrary he seemed to be cheerful and jolly.
The body of Mr. Harris was found by the negro janitor of the building at 7:30 o'clock Tuesday morning when he opened the office. It was resting in a large leather reclining chair, and a .38 caliber revolver was in his lap. The porter notified the police and the coroner was called. It was found that the bullet had passed entirely through Mr. Harris' head, after entering on the right side. The twisted piece of lead was found on the floor.
HEARD PISTOL SHOT.
Mr. Harris was at the office just before closing time in the evening Monday, and after joking with Mr. Echezabal, an attorney having offices in the suite, and others, asked that the office be left unlocked at night, as he wanted to do some work and did not have a key. He said he expected Mr. Dupree. Mr. Echezabal, rather than leave the door unlocked, gave his key to Mr. Harris.
Men of an office on the upper floor said that about 9:30 o'clock Tuesday night they heard what sounded like a pistol shot below, but believed it might have been the popping of an automobile tire. No note nor anything to indicate why the young man committed suicide was found. It was said by the family that he was engaged to be married to a lovely young woman in this city. His father is John A. Harris of the United States revenue office in the Custom House, and for twenty years or more engaged in the cotton business on the river front and as a deputy port commissioner. The father said he was entirely bewildered as to any reason why Horton should have shot himself. He had not noticed any indication that he was not in good spirits.
Horton Harris was twenty-four years of age. He was born in New Orleans, and after finishing the High School course in the public schools he was appointed by Mayor Behrman to a scholarship in Tulane University. He was a reporter on the legal staff of the Times-Democrat, and later in charge of the sporting page. While thus engaged he was appointed, about eighteen months ago, private secretary to Mr. Dupre, in which capacity he was serving at the time of his death. Mr. Dupre said that the young man was remarkably efficient, and that he regarded him almost as one of his family. Mr. Dupre's mother and sister, who were with him at Washington, also regarded the young man highly, and left their home at Opelousas Tuesday to come in the city as soon as they heard of the sad event.
HAD MANY FRIENDS
Mr. Harris was very popular, both in New Orleans and Washington. Col. John P. Sullivan said Tuesday he regarded him as one of the most promising young men in the city. When he was a newspaper reporter every one had confidence in him, and he had a faculty of making friends that was remarkable. Col. Sullivan said that if he had lived and entered public life, as he no doubt would have done, the possibilities of his advancement were unlimited. Similar comments were made by many others who knew him.
The young man's father was almost overcome with grief at the death of his oldest son. He has been married twice and Horton was the only child by the first marriage. By the second marriage there are two sons, Earl and Ashton, and a daughter, Miss Hazel Harris.
Last year Ashton Harris was attacked by two negroes while in State street with a companion, and his throat was cut. He recovered after lingering near death for some time. The family home is at 6026 Perrier street, but the members of the family were spending the summer near Biloxi, on the Gulf coast.
Mr. Harris' remains were taken in the home of his aunt, Mrs. Sarah K. Crumborn, 1434 Constance street, from which place the funeral will be held.
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MOURNED IN WASINGTON
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Young Secretary's Death Regretted in Many Circles at Capital
Staff Special in The Times-Picayune.
Washington, Aug. 4. -- Deep sorrow as a result of the death of Horton Harris was not limited to-day in the Louisiana delegation. In the office building of the House of Representatives where Mr. Harris spent most of his time in the active discharge of his duties as the secretary of Representative Dupre, he was well known. He was very popular and had the reputation of being one of the quickest willed employees on his floor. He was also well known in the offices of the Public Health Service, where expressions of regret were general.
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