Merced Express, January 15, 1897
DEATH OF EDITOR HARRIS.
Thomas Harris, Senior Editor of the
Merced Star, is Dead.
Thomas Harris, a well known citizen of Merced; and editor of the Merced Star,
died at his home on Nineteenth street on Tuesday evening last in the noonday of
life.
Mr. Harris had been failing in health for several years, and last summer he was
forced to leave his desk and seek health elsewhere. He went to Adams’s Springs,
Lake county, where he remained for six or seven weeks, but the change did not
benefit him much, and he returned home and resumed his editorial work, which was
laborious and trying especially to one in his state of health. After the close
of the campaign he went to San Francisco and went under the care of a specialist
of six weeks, but the treatment proved too sever and he failed rapidly. The
doctor, we understand, told him that he had consumption, and two weeks ago he
returned to Merced to die, surrounded by those who were near and dear to him.
On his arrival here he went to bed and never left the house afterwards. During
his illness he was patient, and strange to say, insisted until the very last
that he would be out in a few days, but his friends new different, and
therefore, were not surprised when his death was announced, for it had been
expected daily for a week..
Editor Harris was a native of Blue River, Wisconsin, and was born April 7, 1844.
He was one of a family of ten children, seven of whom survive him. He came to
California with his parents in 1852. His father died a few weeks after their
arrival in this State, and his mother passed away about eight years ago. At the
early age of ten years he went to work in the Mariposa mines, but mining was not
congenial employment and he quit it to learn the printers’ trade, starting in
1857 in the office of J. H. Lawrence, who conducted the Mariposa Star. He worked
his way up in his chosen trade from the devil of the office to a first class
printer. In 1858 he left Mariposa for Visalia, where he accepted a position on
the Delta and Remained for three years. His next employment was in Stockton,
where he was a compositor on the Independent. He had been there about two years
when the Virginia City excitement reached it height. He was always anxious to
better his condition and was among the many who went to Nevada at that time
seeking fortune. Arriving at Virginia City he took a case on the Enterprise
which he held for seven years, but the climate was too sever for him and he then
went to San Francisco and took a position on the Alta, and afterwards on both
the Chronicle and Call.
He was always looking forward to a time when he could launch out for himself in
his chosen occupation, and an opportunity offering. He associated with his
brother John in 1868 and conducted the old Mariposa Gazette. The mining industry
was then on the down grade and after a few years the brothers disposed of the
Gazette to Angevine Reynolds in 1872. Mr. Harris then returned to San Francisco,
where he once more went to work on the Chronicle. The hours of printer’s work on
the large dailies were not to his liking and he accepted a place with Farrar &
Stoneroad as foreman on the MERCED EXPRESS. After about three years experience
on the EXPRESS he associated himself with his younger brother, Charles, and
established the Merced Star in 1880. Since the commencement of the paper he has
been its managing editor, the business of which was under his direction up to
the time of his death.
Thomas Harris was a self made man, honest in all his dealings with his fellow
men, loyal to his friends, true to himself and kind to his brothers and sisters.
He will not only be missed by his relatives and friends, but in business circles
in Merced, for he took a prominent part in all public matters. At the time of
his death he was a director of the Agricultural Association of this district, a
director of the Merced building and Loan Association, a member of the Republican
County Central Committee, and a member of the Knights of Pythias.
Five brothers and two sisters survive him who deeply mourn his loss: Emily,
Levinia, John, Matt, Charles, and James and Fred.
