The Woman Who Crossed the Lines: A Civil War Journey Ends in Seattle

Mrs. W. Harlan, wife of Maj. William S. Harlan, died yesterday of a stomach trouble at the family residence. She was a brave and self-sacrificing woman, of whom it may be said she had a heroic record.

The story of her experiences during the war has not been told in full, but it was of such a nature as to require a woman of no ordinary strength of will to carry it through.

Mrs. Harlan was born in Zanesville, Ohio, March 13, 1843. She was the daughter of Judge Sutton and Hannah Davis, of whom she was left an orphan at an early age. Mr. William S. Harlan was a prominent young man and a resident of the same community where she lived. When the war broke out Mr. Harlan went with the first regiment formed in the county of Zanesville. While serving as captain of a company of one hundred and ten men he was taken ill at Columbia, Tenn.

As soon as Mrs. Harlan heard of her husband's condition she resolved to go to him. In those days she obtained a pass, but she found the border in such condition that civilians were not allowed to pass through. Mrs. Harlan pleaded that she might be allowed to reach her husband, but the officers in charge told her the orders of Gen. Grant could not be disobeyed. Mrs. Harlan was still determined to face all that she could in her attempt to reach her husband. She could not find a place to stay in the town. Many women would have given up the battle under such circumstances, but with Mrs. Harlan it was different. She passed a week in Columbus before she managed to get a message through to Gen. Grant, stating her reasons for wishing to reach headquarters.

In the meantime she found food and shelter by boarding a steamer as it came in and appealing for protection under the name of 'importation.' In this way she got a job, passing from steamer to steamer, and all the time working to get a message to Gen. Grant. At last she received a message over the wires, signed by Grant himself, granting permission to come on the first train.

When she left Columbus she had no idea of the ordeal through which she was to pass. The train was attacked at Union City by the Confederates, and all one night an irregular battle was kept up. The guard, however, held the fort, and the train passed through with only a small loss of life, being the last for some time. Had she waited a day longer it is probable that she would have fallen into the hands of the Confederates, for they checked communication for some time.

After Mr. Harlan was in such condition that Mrs. Harlan could return to Zanesville, the soldiers from that section decided to place all their savings and pay them into her hands to take back to their families. Mrs. Harlan objected to the responsibility, but after being persistently urged agreed to take the money if it was put in envelopes and addressed to the parties for whom it was intended. This was agreed to, and in a short time a large basket, such as would pass for a lunch basket, was prepared and in the bottom was placed the money, amounting to several thousand dollars. As chance had it, the train made the trip without accident. It was afterwards discovered that the Confederate cavalry had planned to capture it. Their plans miscarried and they got the next train instead.

After the war Capt. Harlan, who had become Maj. Harlan, and Mrs. Harlan continued to reside in Zanesville until 1889, when they located in Seattle. Mrs. Harlan never recovered from the sickness that revealed itself in 1879, although her acquaintances had little idea of the strain she was under. She was not able to go out in society much, but in her home, where she often entertained, she was a bright and leading spirit. She was a charitable woman, and during the many years of her connection with the Second Presbyterian church of Zanesville she did much good work. She was also one of the leaders and treasurer of the Woman's Relief Corps, of Ohio.

She leaves a husband, Maj. William S. Harlan; sisters, Mary L. Milhous and Mrs. Hettie M. Scott, both residing near Little Rock, Ark.; and the following sons and daughters: N. C. Harlan; George Harlan, a clerk in the First National bank of Zanesville; S. Harlan, the well-known comedian; Mrs. W. P. Watson, wife of the surveyor general of Washington; and Ralph M. Harlan, a student in the University of California. The latter is expected to reach home Saturday night.

The funeral services will be held at the residence Sunday afternoon at 1 o'clock, and it is probable that Dr. Alexander Allen will officiate. Members of John F. Miller Post, of which Maj. Harlan is commander, will attend, and members of other posts are invited.