Richard Perry Harrison

HARRISON, R.P. - This community was greatly shocked when the news was received here Saturday morning that our former townsman Hon. R.P. Harrison, or “Uncle Dick” Harrison, as he was familiarly known to his friends here had been found dead in the rear of his house at Eureka Springs late Friday afternoon. The telegram was sent to Rev. F.A. Lark, who was his pastor for two years at Eureka Springs, but the messenger failing to find Rev. Lark, gave the message to James Harrison, youngest son of the deceased, Mrs. Harrison had arrived in Prairie Grove at 9:37 Friday morning, having left her home at 5 o’clock that morning and left Mr. Harrison, as she thought, in his usual good health, and to her James Harrison conveyed the sad news. It seems that Mr. Harrison had his horse picketed on a hillside near his home, and a neighbor seeing it entangled in the rope about 1 o’clock, so informed Mr. Harrison, who doubtless went to the horse’s relief at once. Then at 7 o’clock the same neighbor heard groans of distress and looking in the direction saw that the horse was still entangled and went to his assistance. After cutting it loose he started up a little incline and found Mr. Harrison lying on his face, cold in death, in a little cluster of bushes. A physician was summoned and upon examination, as no marks of violence could be found, he pronounced the cause of death as heart failure. Mrs. Harrison, accompanied by her sister Mrs. Simpson, Mrs. A. Allen, a sister of Mr. Harrison, James and Macy Harrison, left in a carriage for Fayetteville early Saturday morning, where they took a north bound train, arriving at Eureka Springs at noon, where they remained until Monday morning, when they returned to Prairie Grove with the body. Richard Perry Harrison was born in Washington County, Arkansas, October 12, 1843. He was thrice married. His first wife was Miss Malinda Howell. To this union were born two daughters and two sons, three of which are living. His second wife was Miss Sarah Ann Jones, and to them two sons were born, one dying in infancy. December 4, 1888, he was married to Mrs. M.J. Tabor, who survives him. Mr. Harrison was universally beloved in Prairie Grove, where he lived until a few years ago he went to Eureka Springs seeking health for his wife. When just a boy he professed faith in Christ and lived a most consecrated life. He was ever an active and ardent worker in the church: he was a public-spirited man and was a man of strong convictions. He served one term in the State Legislature from Washington County several years ago. At the breaking out of the Civil War he enlisted with the State troops and served three months in that command, when he was discharged and returned home, but later he enlisted in the regular army and served until the end of the war as a gallant Confederate soldier, having participated in the battle of Prairie Grove. The Daily Times-Echo of Eureka Springs has the following to say of him: “Mr. Harrison was one of the best beloved men in Eureka Springs; a consecrated Christian of broad fellowship; a loving and gentle man in his home and an accommodating and kind neighbor. He was scrupulously honest and just in his dealings with all men. He was of that class of men who make their influence felt in the community without the aid of wealth, great learning or political prominence. We shall miss him in Eureka Springs. What a record to leave behind. Who would not rather have it, rather than silver or gold? The funeral services were held from his late home in Eureka Springs Sunday afternoon, conducted by his pastor, Rev. Mr. Martin of the Methodist Church. The remains, accompanied by the family, arrived in Prairie Grove Monday morning and was interred in the cemetery here. At the grave Rev. F.A. Lark made a short but very impressive talk eulogizing the life of this grand man, whom he had known for two years while his pastor in Eureka Springs. The services at the grave were conducted by the local Camp of Confederate Veterans with the Daughters of the Confederacy and Sons of Veterans were present in a body. On Sunday morning the regular services at the Methodist Church in Eureka were dispensed with in order to hold an impromptu memorial service in honor of Mr. Harrison, one of their beloved members. Besides his wife, Mr. Harrison is survived by one daughter, Mrs. John F. Mock, three sons, Messrs. Perry, Macy and James Harrison, and one sister, Mrs. A. Allen, all of whom were present at the burial. [The Prairie Grove Herald 6/8/1911]

Memorial Services – R.P. Harrison Honored by His Pastor and Friends – (from the Eureka Times Echo) The services at the morning hour yesterday at the M.E. Church, South, were memorial in character in honor of the memory of Hon. R.P. Harrison, who had been for many years a member of the official board of that church. The sermon by Rev. Bryant, the pastor, from the text, “Be ye steadfast, unmovable always abounding in the work of the Lord,” was a strong and feeling tribute to the work and fidelity of the departed brother, whose church relations and activity had endeared him to both pastor and members. At the conclusion of the Pastor’s address, several members followed with touching remarks and personal reminiscences on the life and example of brother Harrison; no one who attended this service could but feel that this good man had not lived in vain, and that his life and influence in the church will stand to bless it and the community for a long time to come.

Funeral Service

At 4 p.m. a large concourse of friends gathered at the home to pay the last tribute of respect to one who all had loved, for Mr. Harrison’s gentle nature had made friends of all acquaintances.

Deceased’s pastor, Rev. J.L. Bryant, spoke on the life and influence of the lamented man, paying the highest compliments to a character that made itself felt for good through a long life. Mr. Harrison maintained his integrity and purity of life throughout the years of war through which he passed, as he did in the nearly fifty years of peace since.

Rev. C.N. White followed the pastor with many expressions of appreciation for the Christian friend, saying not only would Mr. Harrison be missed by the Methodists, but the Baptists and all Eureka Springs would miss him.

Prayer was offered by Rev. Stephen Williams, while the South Methodist choir furnished most beautiful music. Deceased had been a member of the choir and the voices had a note of personal sorrow as they sweetly sang the songs he loved so well, each feeling in his or her own heart that their brother had gone to that better home about which they had sung together..

The casket was covered with pretty emblems, while flowers were all around, the last offerings of the friends who wished it were possible to do more, but who had not failed to scatter flowers along the brother’s pathway while he yet lived among us.

The body was taken to Prairie Grove on this morning’s early train. Mrs. Harrison’s daughter is to come from Arizona to be with the mother in this hour of deep grief, and the wife felt anxious to delay the burial until her arrival, but her friends advised against this, and interment will be made today. [Fayetteville Democrat 6/15/1911]

(from Monday’s Daily) The remains of R.P. Harrison came in this morning from Eureka Springs and were taken to Prairie Grove, the former home of the deceased, where the interment took place today. [Fayetteville Democrat 6/8/1911]