Chauncey Leland "Chance" Harris: The Old Slouch of the Mountains - Part VII

Chance Harris Winds Down As "The Dead Reporter" in 1897

A changing of the guard occurred in the Coroner's Office in early January 1897. A "fusion" ticket put up by the Democratic Party divided candidates for Silver Bow Co., Montana between the regular and Populist wings of the party. Dr. J. A. Tremblay was put forward as the fusion candidate for Coroner in the fall of 1896. He won the election and took his office ca. 7 January 1897. It appears as though the services of Chance Harris would be less frequently required by the new Coroner after this date. Still, while Coroner Richards remained in office during the first week of January, Chance investigated, with Detective Meiklejohn, Chinese Inspector Creel, and interpreter Quong Loy, the cabin of murder victims China Joe and Ping Hock, finding blood stains not previously seen. Not long after, under Coroner Tremblay's new administration, Chance was called as a witness at a Coroner's Inquest on the deaths of John O'Connell and Patrick Hishon who fell from scaffolding at the Mountain Chief Trestle when the scaffolding was struck by a bridge bent being hoisted into position.

On 18 January 1897, Chance was enjoying an after-dinner cigar at Whatley's Cafe on West Park Street when Josie Maxwell (aka Mamie Gorman) took a shot at gambler Tom McCaffrey who had beaten her. McCaffrey scurried for cover in a back room of the cafe shortly before Josie entered the establishment looking to take another shot. Chance misdirected Josie by saying that McCaffrey had left by the back door. Josie followed McCaffrey's supposed escape route only to be captured by Policeman Griffiths as she exited. Chance returned McCaffrey's hat to him as he hid in the back room, and Josie was jailed under the name Mamie Gorman for attempted murder of McCaffrey. Chance's actions may have saved McCaffrey's life and saved Josie from a charge of murder.

John Peters, previously convicted for stealing Chance Harris's gold-headed cane and subsequently let out of jail early when his sentence was reduced on a legal technicality, was arrested for allegedly stealing 16 pairs of boys pants on 21 January 1897 but later got off from the charge. Peters' freedom did not last long. He was arrested on 11 February for trying to knife Mr. Hammer at the Sump Saloon. Peters whined and cried at the City Jail and claimed that his "backs" were broken and wanted to go to the hospital. It turned out that Peters actually meant his ribs were broken, but the newspaper reported that he was not injured at all. We can suppose that Chance Harris, for one, had little sympathy for the criminal.

Chance apparently was still associated with the American Protective Association wing of the Democratic Party when a large number of them left the regular Party meeting in the Butte Auditorium and proceeded to City Hall to develop their own slate of candidates for the School Board. Chance was identified as one of the leaders of this group and was named as a member of a committee to draft resolutions related to nomination of candidates for School Trustees on 19-20 March 1897. Chance himself drew up the resolutions endorsing candidates and in support of free textbooks.

On 14 April 1897, Chance apparently was Jury Foreman at a Coroner's Inquest on the death of Chin Yung who died in a hack coming from the Montana Union Depot to West Galena Street. The jury found that the death was of uncertain causes, possibly consumption. Chance again was Foreman of a Coroner's Jury at the inquest on the death of Gracie Johns on 27 April 1897. The jury found that Gracie died from pneumonia superinduced by the kick of a runaway horse.

Chance had a chance to exercise his old investigative skills on 16 May 1897 when he went to Whiskey Gulch with Coroner Tremblay and Undertaker Richards to retrieve the body of Adolph Schwade, a miner who had been shot and left in his mine tunnel. Chance was now in the employ of Undertaker Richards and not Coroner Tremblay. Chance was of the opinion after examining the scene that Schwade had been shot at the mouth of his tunnel and dragged inside to hide the body.

Chance again was a member of a Coroner's Jury on 27 May. The inquest was over the murder of William Kroeger. Chance demonstrated his independence when he sharply argued with the County Attorney because the official withheld a description of the fugitive killer or killers from the jury. Several weeks later, Chance engaged in a more light-hearted activity when he attended an exhibition by Louis Cyr, a Canadian strongman, at Columbia Gardens and served as one of six judges for the event. Chance next traveled to Helena, Lewis and Clark Co., Montana, accompanied by his niece, Mary F. Harris, to attend a meeting of the Montana State Press Association. Chance was elected 3rd Vice-President of the organization on 22 June 1897. He then invited the Press Association to meet in Butte in 1898, which was unanimously accepted by the membership.

Members of the State Press Association who took part in their annual excursion following the meeting in Helena traveled to Butte on 23 June 1897. From there, they traveled to Salt Lake City, Salt Lake Co., Utah and Denver, Denver Co., Colorado before returning to Butte on 30 June. Chance Harris and Miss Mary F. Harris were part of the excursion contingent.

On 6 July 1897, Chance was deputized by Coroner Tremblay to investigate the cabin of James Hopper at Quartz Gulch after a man named Johnson became suspicious about Hopper's condition. Johnson and Chance traveled from Butte to Quartz Gulch where Chance broke down the cabin door to find Hopper dead of strychnine. Chance gathered up relevent evidence and papers from the scene and then brought the body back to Undertaker Richards at Butte. A Coroner's Inquest was held the following day.

Toward the last week of August Chance circulated two petitions at the request of the New York Journal, one to the Pope by Julia Ward Howe and one to the Queen Regent of Spain by Mrs. Jefferson Davis, protesting the impending deportation to Spain's penal colony in South Africa of Senorita Evangelina Cisneros, a Cuban prisoner of the Spanish General Weyler.

Chance was called for federal Grand Jury service on 15-16 September 1897 but was excused because he "had plenty of mining property but no real estate." He does not appear in the newspapers again until 6 October when they report that Chance received a letter from former Butte resident Harvey Cullom who described mining activity at Johannesburg, South Africa.

Undertaker Richards suffered a terrific wreck of his buggy on 23 November 1897. He was thrown through the air and struck a pole, becoming covered with cuts and bruises, when his runaway horse took the sidewalk. When Richards regained consciousness, he gave Chance Harris the combination to his safe and asked Chance to check to see if his (Richards') insurance papers were good. Chance did not appear in the Butte newspapers again in 1897.

Death of Chance Harris

Chance Harris seemed in the peak of health as 1898 opened. On New Year's Day, he attended a Joint Installation and Open House by Lincoln Post No. 2 G.A.R. and Lincoln Relief Corps No. 6 where he assisted the Reception Committee for the event. Chance had been living in rooms above the Butte Undertaking Company at 140 West Park Street since 1896, if not before. Undertaker Richards kept Chance in his employment after Richards' term as Coroner expired at the beginning of 1897. So it was that on the night of 8 January Chance retired to his rooms after an evening chatting with folks in a nearby drugstore. Earlier in the day, Chance had slipped on the ice but had not fallen, at which time he experienced momentary pain in his chest. He apparently was feeling fine when he retired for the night.

Undertaker Richards and his assistant, Mr. Knight, were called to the Pennsylvania Mine to retrieve the body of a man who was killed there late in the evening of 8 January. They returned to the Butte Undertaking Company early on the morning of 9 January. Chance began experiencing sharp pain in his chest about 2:30 a.m. Undertaker Richards and Mr. Knight applied hot cloths to Chance's chest, providing some temporary relief. The pain returned at about 3 a.m. Mustard plasters were procured from the drugstore and also applied to Chance's chest. Chance did not think a doctor should be called in when it was suggested; however, he soon breathed his last to the great surprise of Undertaker Richards and Mr. Knight. A physician was summoned but could not resuscitate Chance, and he was declared dead at about 3:45 a.m. A subsequent autopsy revealed that Chance had died of an aortic aneurysm.

Chance Harris was almost universally known and liked in Butte and the surrounding area. He had come to Butte when it was still a rough mining camp and remained through its growth into a major city and mining center. Several tributes to Chance appeared in the local newspapers, including a Resolution of Respect passed by the Butte Press Club. The tribute was published and extolled Chance's contributions to journalism; work on behalf of the Montana State Press Association, of which he was 2nd Vice-President at the time of his death; and the good nature that he displayed at their annual meetings. 

The funeral of Sergeant Chauncey Leland "Chance" Harris took place at Muntzer's Hall on North Wyoming Street on the afternoon of 11 January 1898. Rev. Mr. Russell officiated. Pallbearers were P. A. Manchester, Gilbert Engle and W. W. Corkwell of the G.A.R. and P. C. Deane, Ad Williams, and William Davidson of the United Order of Moderns, with about 50 and 150 members of the respective organizations following the procession to Mount Moriah Cemetery. A number of Press Club members also attended the funeral and procession although many were called away by important news events of the day. At Mount Moriah, the United Order of Moderns, a fraternal insurance organization of which Chance was a member, conducted their services.

It appears that Chance's casket was placed in the Mount Moriah vault for a time until his brother, Albert M. Harris of Detroit, Wayne Co., Michigan could determine final disposition. Ultimately, Chance was interred at Mount Moriah. Later, in 1902, the G.A.R. received headstones for Civil War veterans, one of which was placed for Sergeant Chance Harris, although he never actually joined the G.A.R.

Chance's niece, Miss Mary F. Harris, who had taught school for a year in Butte before returning to the East, returned to Butte in July 1900 as the guest of Mrs. George Porter for a week. Whether any other relatives of Chance Harris ever came to Butte is not known. Chance no doubt is long forgotten and left no descendents, but his service through many of the major battles of the Civil War and his imprint on the history of Butte deserve some measure of remembrance.

Sergeant Chauncey Leland "Chance" Harris, Company F, 108th Infantry Regiment, New York Volunteers

• Image Source:  George H. Washburn, A Complete Military History and Record of the 108th Regiment N.Y. Vols., from 1862 to 1894. (Rochester, Monroe Co., NY, Press of E. R. Andrews, 1894), Internet Archive http://archive.org/, opposite p. 286

Chauncey Leland "Chance" Harris: The Old Slouch of the Mountains - Part VI

Chance Harris Continues As "The Dead Reporter" in 1896

Chance Harris's role as Deputy Coroner continued under Coroner Richards of Silver Bow Co., Montana in 1896. On 3 January, Chance investigated whether M. J. Savage (aka James Thompson) sent any telegraph messages before he shot himself through the head with a 38-caliber Smith & Wesson revolver. There were no records at either telegraph office of such communication, and the inquest was held the following day. Chance apparently was a member of the Mount Moriah Cemetery Association during, and probably before, 1896. He was selected as the official Notary Public of the Board at a meeting on 8 January 1896. It may be that Chance had retained his Notary Public appointment since it was originally issued during his residence in Woodville, Jefferson Co., Montana in 1885.

Peter Jensen (aka "Ole Bull") dropped dead in the Metropolitan Saloon at Main and Galena streets on the evening of 9 January. His body was brought to the Butte Undertaking rooms where Chance "passed final judgment on his condition," with the inquest occurring the following day. On 13 January, Coroner Richards and Chance investigated the circumstances surrounding the death of Miss Mamie Enright from a self-induced abortion and decided that no Coroner's Inquest was neccessary. Three days later, Chance was among the group of men who investigated the scene of H. A. McCloud's death by a falling timber in the Mountain Consolidated Mine.

Chance Harris won a fine painting by Miss Fanny Grothjean of Europe, who was visiting Butte, on or before 17 January 1896. The artwork, valued at $200, depicted a nude just out of the bath and had been on display in the window of Schatzlein's on Broadway in Butte for some time. Chance exhibited his penchant for humor when he said "it is worth more than that to him as he could not get as fine and good looking a figure, and maintain it, for double the money of estimated value," according to an a newspaper account in the Butte Miner. 

Chance traveled to Lewiston, Nez Perce Co., Idaho on 21 January 1896 to attend to mining-related business there and returned to Butte on 1 February 1896. On 10 February, Chance was again the apparent Jury Foreman at the inquest on the accidental death of Andrew Nelson who died from inhalation of flue dust at the Heinze Smelter. The jury held the Smelter blameless, indicative of the lack of safety standards in the mining and smelting industry of the day. Ten days later, Chance and Coroner Richards investigated the death of Noah Forrest of the Alice Mining Company at Walkerville, Silver Bow Co., Montana, who was crushed while unloading timbers from a flat car. The inquest followed that evening. On 25 February, Chance and Coroner Richards traveled to Homestake Pass to bring back the body of Anton Hansen Nordsand who had been run over by a passenger train and several freight trains near the entrance of the Homestake tunnel. Chance conducted an examination of the engine and coaches thought to have struck Nordsand and found blood on the gearing of the latter. The inquest occurred the next day.

Butte held a "Baby Show" on  26 February 1896 in conjunction with the Japanese Fair as a benefit for the Children's Home Fund. Chance Harris, Prof. McKay, and Prof. G. H. Scott were to judge the babies of Butte and select the prettiest two babies of the more than 100 entered. Once engaged in the judging process, the judges realized that the mothers of Butte all thought their babies to be the prettiest and began to apprehend that the collective wrath of the mothers whose babies were not chosen was not to be taken lightly. The Butte Miner reported that Chance uttered the following:  "'I have faced trying situations in my life, but here is where I must back out of my contract,' in an undertone to Prof. McKay." The judges then devised a scheme where two babies among the top 20 would be selected by spinning a "wheel of fortune" and thus absolve the judges of any blame by mothers of the losers. It was another narrow escape by Chance Harris!

On 3 March 1896, Chance and Coroner Richards investigated the death of David T. Davis in a fire that burned his shack on Ohio Street near Porphyry Street. The inquest was held 2 days later. Chance apparently was Foreman of a Coroner's Jury at the inquest on the death of an engineer, Cyrus Hawley, on 6 March, finding death by unknown causes and recommending that John Butler should be exonerated of any responsibility. Three days later, Chance and Coroner Richards investigated the apparent suicide death of Al Leans by gunshot in Room 14 of the Fitschen Block and removed the body to the Butte Undertaking rooms for a Coroner's Inquest the following day. On 19-20 March 1896, Chance was Foreman of a Coroner's Jury, which found that Roderick P. Judge died by accidental discharge of his pistol while eluding police and that Edward Campbell should be detained upon the charge of 1st-degree murder for the shooting of Policeman Fred A. Parlin.

Chance Harris had been an active Democrat, at least since his days in Woodville. Now, on 23 March 1896, Chance attended a meeting of 6th Ward Butte Republicans at the Butte Undertaking Company (owned by Republican Coroner Richards) where he was designated Secretary of the meeting. On the same day, Chance attended a special meeting of the Board of County Commissioners and, with Public School Superintendent Kern, agreed to solicit funds to lift the debt of the Women and Children's Home to enable the County to take over the charitable facility. Chance's political flux continued on 26 March when he attended the Populist Party City Convention where, after he seated himself in front, a delegate in the rear requested that all nonmembers move to the side, and Chance moved to the rear. Chance again attended a special meeting of the Board of County Commissioners on 30 March and reported that businesses supported the County taking over the Women and Children's Home with its debts, whereupon he agreed to circulate a petition to that effect.

The Democratic Party credentials of Chance Harris came into question on 1 April 1896 when M. P. Gilchrist, Chairman of the Democratic Central Committee addressed the Butte City Council meeting stating that Chance Harris was not a true Democrat, with the result that Chance's name was replaced by Ike Genzberger as Sixth Ward Democratic Election Board Clerk. The same day, Chance reported to the Board of County Commissioners that his petition effort for making the Women and Children's Home a county institution had the signatures of persons representing three-fourths the wealth of the county. Chance, as a former Civil War Union soldier although not a Grand Army of the Republic (G.A.R.) member, attended the Annual Encampment of the Montana G.A.R. at Bozeman, Gallatin Co., Montana along with about 15 members of Butte's Lincoln Post and 10 members of the Butte Woman's Relief Corps. The train for Bozeman departed Butte on the evening of 8 April. The Encampment presumably extended through the weekend until 12 April.

On 13 April 1896, Chance was Foreman of a Coroner's Jury at the inquest on the death of six miners by explosion of a powder magazine on the 1,100-foot level of the St. Lawrence Mine. The jury adjourned until 25 April for further testimony because rubble from the blast blocked further investigation into the circumstances leading to the explosion. When the jury did reconvene on the 25th, it found simply that deaths were the result of an explosion of powder stored for immediate use. Deputy State Mine Inspector Miles was not happy with this verdict because it failed to fault the powder storage in what Miles considered to be an unsafe location. Three days later, Chance and Coroner Richards investigated the scene around the abandoned shaft of the Czaromah Mine where the body of a week-old infant had been found on a cross-piece about 20-feet down. Chance apparently was the Jury Foreman at the inquest on the death of this baby on 1 May 1896. The jury recommended further investigation and prosecution, if the responsible party could be found.

Chance joined a party of newspapermen on 12 May for an excursion train to Anaconda, Deer Lodge Co., Montana at the invitation of Superintendent O. L. Chapman to be entertained and to tour the copper smelter there. Several "brief but elegant and pointed" speeches were delivered on the return run to Butte, including one by Chance Harris, according to the Butte Daily Post.  On 18 May, Chance and Coroner Richards investigated the apparent suicide death of Samuel Petersen at the Windsor Hotel in Butte and removed the body to the morgue. An inquest occurred the following day. Chance may have been irritated to find that George B. Dygert, noted habeas corpus lawyer, instituted proceedings on 20 May on behalf of John Peters, the man who stole Chance's gold-headed cane the preceding October, because Peters didn't get a jury trial in that case. For the time being, however, Peters remained in jail.

Chance investigated, in his role as Deputy Coroner, the cabin of John Green at Powder Gulch, 7-miles southwest of Silver Bow Junction, on 2 June 1896. Green had died after falling down the stairs at the Southern Hotel in Butte, but Chance found no evidence of next of kin at the cabin. Chance does not appear in the Butte newspapers again until July when he and Coroner Richards traveled to Gregson Hot Springs in Silver Bow Co. on 8 July to retrieve the body of a man who had drowned in the plunge pool while bathing, returning to Butte on 9 July. Chance may have recalled his narrow escape from the same fate nearly 2-years earlier at Broadwater Hot Springs.

News of the nomination of William Jennings Bryan as the Democratic Presidential Candidate caused a great stir in the silver-mining town of Butte on 10 July 1896. Citizens of all parties favored Bryan's position on silver. An article in the Butte Miner contained a quote from Chance Harris:  "'Bryan will be our next president,' said Chance L. Harris. 'My vote and my influence goes for the friend and champion of silver. His election should be worked and prayed for by all who wish to see silver back in the place it properly belongs. There are only two parties in this country now and I am for the free and unlimited coinage of silver and will support the man who is a friend of the white metal.'. . ."

Five days later, Chance and Coroner Richards went out beyond the Bell Smelter with the "dead wagon" and a spare coffin to retrieve the reported body of a dead man who turned out to have been sleeping off a drunk beside the road while walking home from Butte. The "dead man" was found nearby at a roadside saloon and to prove that he was very much alive wanted to fight Coroner Richards. Cooler heads prevailed, and the "dead wagon" returned to Butte with no new cargo. Chance went to the horse races at Anaconda the following day where he was reported to have named a few winners.

Miss Mary F. Harris of Rochester, Monroe Co., New York, niece of Chance Harris, was noted on 17 August 1896 to be in Butte visiting Chance. Miss Harris seems to have remained in Butte and taught school there for the following year. There is no record of Chance ever returning to the East to see his two brothers in Detroit, Wayne Co., Michigan or Rochester, Monroe Co., New York after he came to the West ca. 1869 so the presence of his niece in Butte must have been a welcome reconnection with his family. Just as Chance was enjoying his niece's presence, John Peters (aka "John Jouert," aka "Lazurus"), tried and sentenced the previous year for the theft of Chance Harris's gold-headed cane, was rearraigned on the old charges, pled "guilty" again, and was given 30 more days of jail in addition to time served. This was a substantial reduction because Peters had served only about half of his original sentence and would soon be turned loose to pursue his less than honest practices.

On 27 August 1896, Chance apparently was Foreman of a Coroner's Jury at the inquest on the death of little Joe Ross from the fire that gutted his mother's home. The jury found the death accidental, but Coroner Richards thought the findings should have been more severe because the boy's grandmother, who had been watching him while his mother worked, was negligently in a nearby liquor store when the fire occurred. Five days later, Chance's name was put forward as the choice of the American Protective Association (A.P.A.) wing of the Republican Party for Coroner of Silver Bow County. The next day, 1 September 1896, Chance denied that he was a candidate for the office of Coroner and stated that he would file for it himself should he desire to run. The A.P.A. had an anti-Catholic platform; however, it is not known to what extent Chance these views himself.

Grosvenor Richards, brother of Coroner Joseph Richards, roomed in an apartment above the Butte Undertaking rooms at 140 West Park Street. Chance Harris and ex-Coroner Tom Porter shared this apartment with Grosvenor Richards. Grosvenor Richards failed to awake on the morning of 17 September 1896 and was found to be deceased. Chance was a witness, among others, at the inquest held before Justice S. H. Almon. The jury found that Grosvenor Richards died of an unknown heart ailment perhaps resulting from his exposure to near asphyxiation from smoke some months before. A few days later, Chance Harris was Nominee for Public Administrator at the Convention of the "Auditorium" Republicans (this was the A.P.A. group) but lost to W. J. Jameson, the loss being blamed on Democrats who had worked inside the convention to create Republican disaffection in the Democratic interest.

On 27-28 November 1896, Chance was a witness for the prosecution in the Bonesteele murder trial. Chance attempted to present his plat of the murder scene until the defense objected that an object in the drawing had been moved prior to the drawing being made. Judge Speer sustained the objection and dismissed Chance and his artwork. A few days later on 2 December, Chance traveled from Butte to Warm Springs, Deer Lodge Co., Montana in the company of Undersheriff Young and Mrs. Ada Post of Helena. They were transporting Mrs. I. W. Stoner, who was suffering from delusions, to Warm Springs Hospital, a psychiatric facility near Anaconda.

Chance traveled to Parrot Flats from Butte on 12 December 1896 to retrieve the bones of a purported murdered man. The murdered man turned out to be an Indian female buried in an Indian graveyard and wrapped in blankets. Coroner Richards bemoaned the fact that no expenses would be forthcoming from Silver Bow County for a bundle of bare bones. December seems to have been relatively quiet for Chance. He did, however, receive a letter from the former head of the Keeley Institute in Butte, a Dr. George W. Archer, who had been reappointed as Surgeon-in-Chief for the Nicaragua Canal. It seems notable that Dr. Archer and his presumed former patient at the Keeley Institute maintained correspondence over the nearly 4 years since Chance took the alcoholism "gold cure."

Chauncey Leland "Chance" Harris: The Old Slouch of the Mountains - Part V

Chance Turns Over a New Leaf

A sober Chance Harris began a new phase of his life, probably in early 1893, in Butte, Silver Bow Co., Montana, after taking the alcoholism "gold cure" of the Keeley Institute. Perhaps imbued with renewed optimism for the future, Chance traded a house and lot on Beattie Street for shares in the Golden Crown Mine valued at $0.50/share. The transaction occurred before the middle of March 1893. The Golden Crown, located north of Helena, Lewis and Clark Co., Montana, was worked for a number of years after 1893 but never was profitable and probably yielded few if any dividends to Chance.

On 3 May 1893, Chance served on a Coroner's Jury, probably as Foreman, for an inquest on the death of Frank Puncheri who was killed in an accident at the Travonia Mine. Chance was allowed $10.90 in fees by the Board of County Commissioners on 18 May 1893, presumably for his jury service and perhaps other work during the month of May. During the same period, Chance visited Anaconda, Deer Lodge Co., Montana soliciting interest in a "cakewalk" following a similar performance in Butte. The people of Anaconda were enthusiastic, and Chance arranged for the Anaconda event to occur on 19 May at the Evans Opera House under the management of African-American actor Ernest Hogan. Chance presumably was remunerated for his role in arranging the cakewalk in Anaconda. Near the end of June, Chance was again awarded $6.80 in fees for the month by the Board of County Commissioners.

Chance Harris:  "The Dead Reporter" in 1893-1894

Thomas C. Porter held the elective office of Coroner in Butte during 1893-1894. The first evidence that we find of Chance Harris being employed on a regular basis by Coroner Porter is 13 July 1893 when Chance assisted Coroner Porter in investigating the beating death of Nellie Meigs at the hands of Red Gorman. Chance then testified at the Coroner's Inquest on her death as to what he and the Coroner had found in her personal possessions in regard to her complete identity. It may be that the fees Chance collected in May and June of that year also were related to his employment by Coroner Porter. Newspaper accounts after the middle of 1893 often referred to Chance as the Coroner's Private Secretary, his Assistant, or as the Deputy Coroner. Chance clearly had embarked on a new career by this time.

Chance and Coroner Porter traveled to Anaconda, Deer Lodge Co. from Butte by train on 14 July 1893 and proceeded to McCune's wood camp (located near Anaconda but in Silver Bow County) by team and wagon where they held an inquest on the death of Angelloni Antonio. They returned to Anaconda the following morning and caught a return train to Butte. Chance appears next on 2 October 1893 as a Coroner's Inquest witness to the scene of the murder of three Chinese men at their cabin in Columbia Gardens, Silver Bow Co., Montana. He next was a member of a Coroner's Jury at an inquest on 16 December over the suicide of George Lammerhart by poison. Then, on Christmas Day, Chance traveled to Basin, Jefferson Co., Montana on behalf of the Butte Undertaking Company, as ordered by Judge Colman, to retrieve the body of Joseph Blackburn who had been found frozen stiff on the Galena Gulch Trail. Blackburn's inquest was held in Jefferson Co. before Chance made the return trip to Butte. Five days later, Coroner Porter and Chance traveled to Nine Mile House to retrieve the body of Thomas McHendry, who had dropped dead there, and returned to Butte where a Coroner's Inquest occurred the following day.

During 1894, Chance was identified as a member of several statewide organizations:  the Montana State Press Association and the Keeley Club, of which he served as State Secretary. It isn't clear when Chance first joined the State Press Association, but numerous accounts indicate that Chance always maintained his interest in journalism and association with newspapermen from his earliest days in Butte, if not before. Perhaps that is why Chance became known as "the dead reporter" after his employment as Deputy Coroner, which made him a first-hand source for newspapermen seeking information on the latest deaths in Silver Bow Co. His writing skills also made him a frequent Jury Foreman and drafter of verdicts at Coroner's Inquests. Chance attended the statewide meeting of the Press Association in Great Falls, Cascade Co., Montana on 14-16 June 1894. Chance's membership in the Keeley Club could not date before he took the "gold cure" for alcoholism in late 1892 or early 1893, but it is notable that he became State Secretary within 2 years of his cure, being so listed in September 1894.

Chance Harris continued as Coroner Porter's Assistant or Deputy during 1894 with ever more deaths from mining accidents and occasional mayhem as Butte boomed. On 16 January 1894, Chance accompanied the Coroner and the undertaker to Levick's Brickyard, west of Butte, to retrieve the newly found body of Felix Donceel who had shot himself about a month before. Chance subsequently served as a Witness at Donceel's inquest. Chance exhibited another facet of his abilities at the end of May 1894. Andrew Erich had shot Michael Gilmore on 24 May. Erich came before Justice Colman for a Preliminary Hearing on 31 May-1 June 1894. The prosecution used a very detailed drawing of the crime scene prepared by Chance Harris to refresh the memories of the witnesses to the murder. The drawing was described as "unique" in its depiction of the cabin interior, exterior, and surroundings, apparently in nearly photographic detail.

On 21-22 June 1894, Chance traveled to Anaconda and brought the body of Tillie Olson, a deceased domestic, back to the Butte Undertaking Company. July saw many deaths in Silver Bow Co. with twelve inquests held by Coroner Porter, the busiest month yet seen. Chance may be assumed to have had a role in each of those inquests. In the words of the Anaconda Standard newspaper, "A strange fatality seems to attend that month, which cannot  be explained even by the irrepressible and brilliant Chance Harris. . . ." The Young Men's Republican Club listed Chance among featured speakers slated to address them at Caplice Hall on 31 July 1894 in Butte, describing him as "the brilliant newspaper man." Chance next traveled on 12-13 August to Silver Star, Madison Co., Montana to search for Charley Axtel, a young man whose father was reported to be dying in North Dakota. This mission probably was requested by Coroner Porter who was a personal friend of the dying man.

Broadwater Hot Springs was a resort near Helena, Lewis and Clark Co., Montana. The facility featured a pool, which in those days was described as a "plunge bath." Chance Harris took a soak in the pool on 5 September 1894 and attempted to cross the deep end using a rope suspended across the pool. He lost his grip and, given that he did not know how to swim, went to the bottom and nearly drowned. A newspaper account in the Butte Miner said that Chance "was fished out just in time to preserve his life." He was a member of a Coroner's Jury on 10 September 1894 at an inquest over the slaying of Stephen Grosso with the jury returning a verdict of death by bullet wound by parties unknown.

Having used up one of his nine lives in the plunge bath, Chance became a candidate for Silver Bow County Coroner in the Democratic primary a few days later but lost the vote to Dr. Tremblay at the Democratic County Convention on 13 September 1894. Subsequently, Chance spent the last week of October and the first week of November doing political work, presumably on behalf of Democratic candidates, in southern Silver Bow Co. and the southern part of Montana. Chance did not make the newspapers again in 1894.

Chance Harris Continues As "The Dead Reporter" in 1895

A new Coroner, Republican Joseph Richards, was elected and took office on 7 January 1895. The books of outgoing Coroner Porter, who had investigated 149 deaths during his 2-year term, were kept by Chance Harris and were found to be "as neat and correct as they possibly could be," according to the Butte Miner. It is likely that Chance Harris, "the dead reporter," assisted with most of these cases in one way or another. Chance continued his association with the Coroner's Office under the new Coroner.

On 12 April 1895, Chance was called as a prosecution witness at the trial of Andrew Erich for the killing of Mike Gilmore. Chance had provided a detailed drawing of the crime scene at Erich's preliminary hearing nearly a year before and now gave evidence relating to his findings at Gilmore's cabin. Less than a month later, Chance identified the body of a suicide victim as City Treasurer Simeon Jacobs after accompanying Coroner Richards, Deputy Sheriff Geary, and Mr. Reynolds to the blacksmith shop of the old Anselmo Mine near Missoula Gulch. The next day, Chance and Coroner Richards investigated the area of the abandoned Acquisition Mine shaft just above Wollman Street where the body of an unidentified man had been found at the bottom. They had the remains removed for a Coroner's Inquest to be held on 9 May 1895. Chance investigated, in his role as Deputy Coroner, the site of Charles Simmons' death in the Gagnon Mine on 14 May and directed that the canvas sack containing the remains be removed to the Butte Undertaking rooms for a Coroner's Inquest to be held the following day. Four days later, Chance served on a Coroner's Jury at the inquest over the accidental death of John Barry, killed during blasting in the Anaconda Mine. Chance, in his role as Deputy Coroner, had the body of Corinne Larouche (aka Nadeau) removed to the Butte Undertaking rooms on 19 May 1895 to await a Coroner's Inquest the following day. On 29 May 1895, Chance was a member of a Coroner's Jury at the inquest on the shooting of Michael Sullivan, a vagrant, by Constable John Reed. The jury rendered a verdict stating that Reed had fired in the discharge of his duty.

June 1895 brought an investigation, with Coroner Richards, of the death of Vence Conich, without visible cause, in a cabin on Lower Montana Street. An inquest was held on 7 June. Some respite from the spate of deaths in and around Butte must then have occurred because we next find Chance attending a meeting of the Montana State Press Association on 24-27 June 1895 in Billings, Yellowstone Co., Montana. He presented a paper by W. W. Walsworth of the Anaconda Standard and visited the Custer Battlefield before returning to Butte. Chance then apparently served as Foreman of a jury in Judge Almon's court, which returned a verdict of "not guilty" in the case of J. R. Grice who had been accused of assaulting Officer Baldisero on 29 June 1895.

Chance began July by donating $0.10 to the "mule fund." What mule this was or why it needed donations isn't clear. Chance's dime was one of the larger donations, as many people only gave a nickel, although a bundle of clover and a set of mule shoes were among the donations. Deputy Inspector of Mines John H. Miles presented a gold-headed cane to Chance Harris ca. 18 July 1895. This gift was in recognition of services rendered in formulating a report on the mines of Mr. Miles' district. Once again Chance's writing ability had come in handy! The cane became Chance's cherished possession, which he was said to have carried daily despite being so spry as not to need a cane. About the same time, Chance signed a Petition and Protest to the Board of Trustees, School District No. 1, Silver Bow County, protesting any change in the school text books. Chance accompanied Coroner Richards from Butte to the head of Willow Creek (about 30 miles from Butte) on 27 July 1895 to hold a Coroner's Inquest on the body of William Hanneman, who had died of injuries received from a falling tree.

A. Jackson Davis, who had been suffering from typhoid fever, had wandered away from Butte in a delerious state and fallen from Bridge 81 on the Northern Pacific branch between Butte and Bozeman. Coroner Richards and Chance investigated the place where Davis's body had been found on 13 August 1895 but located only a hat that he had worn. Chance was a witness at the Coroner's Inquest on Davis's death the following day. On 27 August, Chance accompanied Coroner Richards, Deputy Sheriff Young, and others to Little Basin Creek to recover the skeletal remains of Joseph Lavelle who had disappeared in 1881, likely killed by Napoleon Collette who had bragged of the crime before leaving the Territory without prosecution in the absence of a body. Chance next appears to have been Foreman of a Coroner's Jury on 30 August 1895 at the inquest on the suicide of Allen K. Axtell by bullet wound at Gregson Springs, Silver Bow Co., Montana.

September began with Chance's investigation, with Coroner Richards, of the circumstances surrounding the suicide by gunshot of Charles G. Cornell in preparation for an inquest on 4 September 1895. Two days later, Chance investigated, with Officer John Griffith, the discovery of a baby's body in a can in the shed at the rear of a house on George Street near the Montana Central depot. Chance's interest in politics surfaced again on 8 September when he escorted, with Harvey Cullom, J. B. Daly, who claimed to be an ex-priest, to the stage of the Butte Auditorium to give an anti-Catholic lecture related to politics. Whether or not Chance subscribed to the speaker's prejudicial views is not known. On 10 September 1895, Chance was the apparent Foreman of a Coroner's Jury for an inquest on the death of Officer Al Minger who was killed while attempting to board a moving street car, which found that Minger's death resulted from his own carelessness or recklessness. Chance was again the apparent Foreman of a Coroner's Jury on 17 September at an inquest in Meaderville, Silver Bow Co., Montana on the death of 2 1/2-year old Hazel Violet Griffin, hit by Engine No. 1010 on the Montana Union railway track. The jury recommended censure of Brakeman Davis for not keeping a better lookout. The next day Chance investigated, with Coroner Richards, the suicide by opium of Wah Sin (or Ah Sin) at a house in China Alley in Butte. When the casket of Wah Sin was taken to her house for her funeral on 20 September 1895, the "Master of Ceremonies" presented Chance, Coroner Richards, and Coroner Richards' brother each a nickel. Chance then traveled from Butte to Melrose, Silver Bow Co., Montana on 21 September, accompanied by Coroner Richards, to investigate and hold an inquest on the shooting death of Joseph Huneault, who had been shot by Morgan Jones at Camp Creek.

On 2 October 1895, Coroner Richards and Chance Harris investigated the death of Austin George Weaver, killed when a cable broke and he plunged to the bottom of the shaft at the St. Lawrence Mine. Chance served as Jury Foreman for Weaver's inquest on 5 October. The case set a precedent when the Coroner's Jury, for the first time involving a large mine, found that employees of the St. Lawrence Mine failed to take proper safety measures. Just over a week later, a petty criminal known as John Peters (aka "John Jouert," aka "Lazurus") snatched Chance's prized gold-headed cane while he was taking some notes at the corner of Park and Main streets. Peters ran away and Chance gave chase, finding Peters in the back rooms of a basement saloon trying to wrench the gold head from Chance's cane. Chance collared the criminal and turned him over to the police. Peters was tried and sentenced to 5 months in county jail and a $500 fine on 14 October with the expectation that Peters would remain in jail for 14 months in lieu of paying the fine. Chance returned to his Coroner's Office duties on 20 October, tasked with accompanying the body of the previously mentioned Austin George Weaver to Abilene, Dickinson Co., Kansas. Chance returned on 29 October 1895 via Cheyenne, Laramie Co., Wyoming.

Chance apparently served as Jury Foreman for a Coroner's Inquest on 6 November at the Clipper Bunkhouse on Wickiup Creek over the death of James Murphy in the Clipper Mine. The jury found that Murphy's death was due to his own negligence in attempting to cross from the pump shaft to the working shaft of the Clipper against company orders, causing him to fall to his death. Six days later, Chance again was the apparent Jury Foreman for an inquest on the death of little Angeline Brunell run over by an ore wagon at Walkerville, Silver Bow Co., Montana. The accident was ascribed to the child's own recklessness in jumping a ride on a moving ore wagon after being warned not to do so. The same day, Chance accompanied Coroner Richards and Deputy Mine Inspector Miles to Divide, Silver Bow Co., Montana to bring back the body of Ben Armstong who had been killed when he fell down a mine shaft. They made the return trip to Butte on 13 November 1895.

Butte seems to have had a local football team that played a game at Denver, Denver Co., Colorado on 23 November 1895. News about the game could only reach Butte by telegraph whereupon the score was bulletined by the local newspapers. The Butte Miner put out the correct half-time score of 6-0 in favor of Denver. This was followed by the Standard putting out an incorrect score of 6-6. Chance, using this erroneous information, placed a $10 bet on Butte to win, but the final score was 12-6 in Denver's favor, and Chance lost his bet.

Chance, accompanied by Mrs. James Talbott, met Mrs. G. H. Kelly of Denver at the Railroad Depot on 29 November 1895 and transported her to the home of Mrs. Talbott where Mrs. Kelly would stay until the funeral of her brother, John D. Allport, the following day. Chance then traveled to Virginia City, Madison Co., Montana on 30 November to testify for the prosecution at the trial of Morgan Jones for the murder of Joseph Huneault beginning on 2 December 1895. During the return trip to Butte on 5 December, Chance was riding on the top of the stagecoach when the team bolted 6 miles after leaving Virginia City. Chance asked the driver if he required any assistance then rolled off the runaway stage and landed on the ground without injury after the driver declined. After harness repair the stage eventually arrived back in Butte in time for Chance to make a statement clarifying the circumstances surrounding disputed undertaking and burial arrangements for Tom Lynch, who had died in a local hospital. The Butte Undertaking Company, run by Coroner Richards, requested $25 for their services, which they considered a reasonable fee.

On 10-11 December, Chance traveled to a location 1.5-miles east of Buxton Station and ca. 14 miles from Butte to retrieve the body of Prosper Bouleau, who had died from exposure near the track of the Utah Northern Railroad. Chance returned to Butte with the remains and an inquest was held there. The next day, Chance served as Foreman of a Coroner's Jury at the inquest on the death of an Underground Engineer, Luther F. Yaeger, fatally injured in the Gagnon Mine, which found that Yaeger was himself largely to blame. We learn no more of Chance Harris until after the year's end holidays.

Chauncey Leland "Chance" Harris: The Old Slouch of the Mountains - Part III

Chance Harris Returns From The Civil War

We left Chauncey Leland "Chance" Harris at Bailey's Crossroads, Fairfax Co., Virginia as he Mustered Out of Union service with his regiment on 28 May 1865 after nearly 3 years as a soldier and prisoner of war. The troops of the 108th Infantry Regiment, New York Volunteers, returned to Rochester, Monroe Co., New York on the evening of 31 May 1865 and were met by a large crowd at the train station and thence escorted to Court House Square. The troops were formed, and the Rochester City Mayor gave a welcome speech to the 108th. Afterwards, the soldiers were escorted to the Brackett House for a meal described as "excellent." The soldiers reported to the Fair Grounds the following day where they awaited their final pay and discharge. Thus, the Civil War was finally at an end for Chance Harris.

The 1865 New York State Census shows Chance as 24-years old in his father's household at Rochester. For the next 10 years, however, not much can be found about Chance's life. An obituary in a Detroit newspaper indicates that Chance spent three years there after the Civil War, probably from 1866-1868, moving to the West in 1869. The same source states that Chance was a Civil Engineer participating in survey work for the Northern Pacific Railroad. This was probably the work that took Chance to the West; however, the Northern Pacific's construction proceeded very slowly and had come to a multi-year halt by 1876. Chance's involvement with the railroad may not have lasted nearly that long. Chance also was intimated to have been a Scout during the Indian Wars in northern and eastern Montana in the early 1870s, and an account exists of Chance passing through Fergus Co., Montana Territory in company with a detachment of soldiers seeking a party of Indians who were on the war path. An obituary of Chance's father, Daniel Harris, locates Chance at Camp Baker (later Fort Logan), an Army post 18 miles northwest of White Sulphur Springs, Meagher Co., Montana Territory in 1875. While not definitive, Chance's presence at Camp Baker indicates some affiliation with the U.S. Army.

Newspaperman at Butte, Deer Lodge Co., Montana Territory 

Chance Harris became a resident of Butte, Silver Bow Co. (then Deer Lodge Co.), Montana Territory about 1876 after removing from Alder Gulch, Madison Co., Montana Territory. Butte was a mining camp where gold, silver, and later copper were to spur rapid growth into a major city during its heyday. What brought Chance to Butte is not known, but he was reputed to have written for newspapers in the East and elsewhere, perhaps as a Correspondent, and exhibited a great talent for writing as shown by his Civil War letters. Chance became known as a newspaper man over about 4 years in Butte. Several sources state that Chance was the first City Editor of The Butte Miner ca. 1876-1878. Chance later would be noted for his ability to "sniff out" stories and chase down leads.

In August 1878, Chance was at Smith River, Meagher Co., Montana Territory, apparently the guest of Mr. Ford of the Ford & Patterson Ranch (also identified as the Potter & Ford Ranch in one account). Mr. Ford returned from an antelope hunt on 20 August, and the men engaged in dressing the antelope in or near the same room where a herder, George Meadows, lay sick. Mr. Ford remarked that the trigger of his rifle seemed to pull hard whereupon Chance examined the gun and began tinkering with the lock mechanism. Unfortunately, the rifle was loaded and discharged, the bullet striking George Meadows, resulting his death several days later. The death was viewed as accidental as no further record of the incident is found in newspapers of the day.

The Frontier Index was established at Butte in September 1878, this being the earliest date that Chance Harris could have become City Editor although his actual starting date is not known. One story relating Chance's zeal as a newspaperman occurred on 14 September 1879. A well-known and liked man named Carver stepped into the street after spending some time in the Centennial Saloon and declared himself to be "the best man in the West," presumably an invitation to take on all comers. What Mr. Carver and other residents of Butte didn't understand was that a newly passed ordinance against disturbing the peace had taken effect. Mr. Carver began to fight when Policeman Giles Brownell asked him to quiet down. Soon Policeman Joe Campbell and the Marshall became involved as a mob gathered in support of Mr. Carver. At this point, Chance Harris pushed his way into the mob, asking questions for a newspaper story in the making. He was taking notes when one member of the mob struck him a tremendous blow that knocked him off his feet. In response, Chance published a headline that evening that read "Blood!" in large black letters, which one commentator said may have been "more personally suggestive than many of the readers imagined."

Chance Harris was very supportive of the local schools while a newspaperman in Butte. He facilitated a benefit performance by the Le Petre-Hudson Company, a minstrel show, in November 1879, for which he was mentioned in a Card of Thanks by R. B. Hassel, Superintendent of Schools. Chance also signed a petition to the School Trustees ca. June 1880, requesting that an act of the Territorial Legislature "to enable the people of Butte to erect a school house" be resubmitted to the voters of  Deer Lodge County School District No. 3.

The 1880 federal census lists Chance Harris as an Editor living in the household of R. F. Wilkinson, publisher. Somewhat typically, Chance gave his age as 52, an inflation of 14 years. This practice continued for the rest of life because at the time of his death at age 56, Chance was claiming to be 69 years old. Perhaps Chance maintained his inflated age to enhance his self-description as "the old slouch of the mountains." Chance left his employment with the Frontier Index on or before 14 September 1880 to engage in prospecting and mining.

Conflict Between Woodchoppers of European and Chinese Origins

The whereabouts of Chance Harris and his exact activities during most of 1881 are not clear but he seems to have been based in Butte because he was called as a witness to the shooting of  Jesse B. "Tex" Sanders by Samuel A. Kennicott (who claimed self-defense) in that city. Chance testified that he had left before the killing occurred but had overheard words between the two parties before he left. Chance's testimony for the prosecution showed that Kennicott was trying to avoid a conflict, which probably did not help the prosecution's case!

During 1881 and subsequent years, the burgeoning number of mines and smelters in the vicinity of Butte drove demand for timber and fuelwood, respectively. By June 1881, a Jos. Broughton & Co. was advertising for 500 woodchoppers and haulers. Appropriate forests for wood harvest were found in the mountains some distance from Butte. One such location known as Highland Park or simply Highland was in the headwaters of Basin and Blacktail creeks south of Butte. Chinese laborers were reported to be working as woodchoppers for half the wages expected by woodchoppers of European origin. At the time, anti-Chinese sentiment was rife in the West and seems to have infected non-Chinese woodchoppers as well, although there seemed to be no shortage of jobs as evidenced by the Jos. Broughton & Co. advertisement for woodchoppers.

One report in early 1882 described Chance Harris as leader of the Woodchopper's Union although this may have been figurative, not literal. What is known is that Chance, with James Matingly, unfortunately led an armed group of 213 armed men on 18 December 1881 to scatter and disperse a group of about 40 Chinese contract woodchoppers working in Highland Park for a man who had a wood contract with the Colorado and Montana Smelter. Constable "Cap" Owen had ridden out to prevent the attack, which fortunately was bloodless, but could not control the armed woodchoppers who determined to scatter the Chinese woodchoppers before Chance Harris and several others submitted to arrest as the ringleaders. Chance was said to have been released on $2,500 bail.

Constable Owen returned to Butte to organize a posse of about 20 men who went back to Highland Park on 20 December 1881 and made seven arrests although one unnamed ringleader was said to have escaped during their return to Butte. On 24 December, Chance appeared before Justice Wilcox, waived preliminary examination, and was released on $500 bond to await Grand Jury proceedings on a charge of  "unlawful assemblage and interference with private rights." While out on bail, Chance was involved in arranging and promoting a Wrestling Match held in Renshaw's Hall. One can guess that Chance got some share of the proceeds of the Match, which he may have needed as he was delinquent $19.04 on his 1881 tax bill and did not own any real estate.

Butte held a Washington's Birthday Carnival on 22 February 1882. The parade, which was roundly mocked by a Letter to the Editor of the Independent-Record newspaper of Helena, Lewis and Clark Co., Montana, featured a parade wagon, among others, with a banner motto, "an ax is great[er] than a Chinese pipe." The author of the letter claimed that Chance Harris had said the motto was intended to keep the question of excluding Chinese woodchoppers from Highland Park in the minds of jurors currently in session. Less than a week after the Carnival, the men holding Chance's $500 bond asked to be released from their obligation, which was granted, leaving Chance no choice but to await trial in jail. Of the 6 men taken before the Grand Jury, only Chance Harris and James Matingly were indicted. Chance sought a separate trial, which occurred on 4 March 1882. The jury returned a verdict of Guilty. Chance was fined $100 plus $58 costs and remanded to jail until paid. Chance either would not or could not pay the fine and thus remained in jail until the amount of the fine was considered redeemed at $5 per day served. His release came on 11 April 1882.

Chauncey Leland "Chance" Harris: The Old Slouch of the Mountains - Part II

Chance Harris After the Battle of Gettysburg

Chance Harris survived the bloody Battle of Gettysburg during the first week of July 1863, as recounted in the previous post, but more battles were ahead. The Battle of Bristoe Station was next on 14 October 1863 at Bristow, Prince William Co., Virginia, followed by the Battle of Mine Run in Orange Co., Virginia, which lasted from 26 November until 2 December. The 108th Regiment was not involved in further major action until the following spring. In the interim, General Ulysses S. Grant had assumed his role as Commander-in-Chief of the Armies of the United States in March 1864 and placed his headquarters with the Army of the Potomac.

The 108th Regiment's first major engagement of 1864 was the Battle of the Wilderness in Orange and Spotsylvania counties on 5-7 May, immediately followed by the Battle of Spotsylvania Court House in Spotsylvania County that extended until 21 May. Chance Harris then was engaged in three battles in quick succession in Caroline and Hanover counties between late May and the second week of June 1864:  the Battle of North Anna, the Battle of Totopotomoy Creek, and the Battle of Cold Harbor. Between 15 and 18 June, the 108th was in the Second Battle of Petersburg, also known as the Assault on Petersburg. This was followed in a few days by the Battle of Jerusalem Plank Road, also known as the First Battle of the Weldon Railroad, still in the vicinity of Petersburg, Virginia. The First Battle of Deep Bottom in Henrico Co., Virginia came, after a month's respite, on 27-29 July 1864. The Battle of the Crater occurred near Petersburg the following day; however, the 108th occupied a flanking position, and the men were spared the debacle that cost many Union troops' lives in the Crater.

Captured by Confederate Troops

The Second Battle of Deep Bottom took place on 14-20 August in Henrico Co., Virginia with the 108th engaged in three days of heavy fighting followed by several marches and river crossings. On 25 August 1864, during the Second Battle of Ream's Station (part of the Siege of Petersburg) in Dinwiddie Co., Virginia, Chance Harris was captured by Confederate troops on the Weldon Road and taken to Petersburg. As a prisoner of war, Chance apparently was incarcerated at three Petersburg prisons:  Libby Prison, Belle Isle Prison, and the Pemberton Buildings. It appears he subsequently was held at Danville Prison in Danville, Pittsylvania Co., Virginia; at least passed through an unknown facility at Greensboro, Guilford Co., North Carolina; and was held at Salisbury Prison in Salisbury, Rowan Co., North Carolina. Chance eventually was moved back to Petersburg, Virginia to Castle Thunder (there was another Castle Thunder in Richmond, Virginia) and Libby Prison before being paroled on 22 February 1865.

Confederate Prisons

The timing of Chance Harris's movement between these Confederate prisons is somewhat uncertain, and several references to captivity in his obituaries give sometimes contradictory information. A common thread, however, is that Chance participated in several prison escapes or attempted escapes, including by tunneling. In the absence of these details, Chance's own writings at least mention the places in which he was held while a prisoner.

"THE ONE HUNDRED AND EIGHTH REGIMENT. Members of the 108th Regiment and all veterans of the Civil War will read with interest the following extract from a letter received by George H. Washburn, Secretary of the 108th New York Volunteers from Chance L. Harris of Company F, of the same regiment, now [1893]  residing at Butte, Montana. . . . 'Your letter of August 29th and the valuable Gettysburg medal are before me. . . . I feel that I owe an apology for not writing you something concerning my remembrance of the dark days when we soldiered together in the South. Of myself I had and have nothing to say but what is well known, at least to those who wore the blue with us. I do not know that I ever "straggled," and do not call to mind a single instance when I failed to draw my full allowance of "rations." True, I was privileged in witnessing a trifle more of the "internal workings" of the Rebellion than the majority of the boys who fought under the 108th banners, and was more favored by the hospitality received at the hands of the enemy at Petersburg, Libby, Belle Isle, Pemberton Buildings, Danville, Greensborough, Salisbury, Castle Thunder, and Libby again, but I doubt if the boys manifest jealousy on that account. I thought you had sufficient for your history, and recognize, even at this date, that I only filled my place as a member of Company F of the old regiment.'. . ."
-- George H. Washburn, A Complete Military History and Record of the 108th Regiment N.Y. Vols., from 1862 to 1894. (Rochester, Monroe Co., NY, Press of E. R. Andrews, 1894), Internet Archive <http://archive.org/>, Fifteenth Annual Reunion; pp. 432-433

Following his parole and arrival on Union soil, Chance was first assigned to Camp Parole in Anne Arundel Co., Maryland. He subsequently was granted a 20-day leave and traveled to Rochester, Monroe Co., New York, the place where he had enlisted in the 108th Infantry Regiment nearly three years before, to visit his family. Chance was assigned to Camp Distribution in Alexandria, Fairfax Co., Virginia on 9 May 1865 under the assumed name of "Henry L. Harris," presumably because of his parole status. He Mustered Out as Sergeant (some records show Corporal) with his regiment at Bailey's Crossroads, Fairfax Co., Virginia on 28 May 1865.

Shortly after being paroled, Chance penned a letter to his hometown newspaper describing some of the horrors he encountered as a Confederate prisoner of war. In later years, Chance said little of his Civil War experience, and never formally joined the G. A. R. (Grand Army of the Republic), so we are fortunate that he related his observations before the end of the War.

"LETTER FROM A RETURNED PRISONER. . . . The following letter from Chauncey L. Harris, is full of interesting information respecting the fate of many of the 108th, and is graphically written: U. S. SANITARY COMMISSION, ANNAPOLIS, MD., Feb. 29.} DEAR EXPRESS:-Once again we-of course we do! Its rather hard work to get the old machine started after six months of inactivity.-However, we overhaul the working parts, lubricate them thoroughly, raise the steam, and away she goes, reeling off a few miserable thoughts and non-brilliant ideas, which we jot down regardless of expense and consequences.

On the morning of the 21st of February, we issued forth from the old prison, whose name has become as familiar as household words, to soldiers particularly, and all Yankeedom generally, and whose walls, had they but the power, 'could a tale unfold' of misery, suffering most wretched, and even death; a tale that make 'the blood of the uninitiated run cold.' Aye, even a worse tale than the poor, emaciated, ghost-like, skeleton wretches, late prisoners of the place, with eyes deep 'sunck in the socket,' flagging steps and listless air could speak. but to resume Casting one glance at the barred and boarded windows of the old brick front, we hastened toward the wharf at Rocket's where lay the steamer Wm. Allison. Once on board and steaming down the James, the unspeakable joy which filled our hearts, and was so plainly depicted on the countenances of all, burst forth in songs; and we noticed, too, that phizogs, whereon a smile had not been even for months, lit up once more, and perhaps a sly joke would escape from their usual[l]y close[ly] pressed lips.

Nine o'clock A. M. brought us to the landing at Varina, where were some twenty-five hundred paroled rebs awaiting the boat. Crossing the bend in the river we found the steamers New York, Geo. Washington, Winonah and George Weems in readiness to take us aboard.

Down the river through Hampton Roads, up the Chesapeake Bay, and eleven o'clock A. M., Feb. 22, (to-day) finds us landing from the Winonah at Annapolis. A brass band stands on the wharf welcoming us by playing the Star Spanged Banner. That we should remove chapeau and swing her once, was but natural, and we did it. And there, too, we beheld once again the smiling countenance of Dr. Ely, of 108th N. Y., as he hurried to and fro attending to the sick, providing those unable to walk with an additional blanket and a 'stretcher.'

Soon in line, we started for the camp, through Maryland mud, knee-deep in some places, over your shoes in many, and most decidedly nasty in all. Just as soon as circumstances would permit, we invest a small amount in stationary, wind up the 'old box,' throw ourselves horizontally on a bunk and indite a few lines to the Express, for the express purpose of giving expression to our ideas in regard to the Southern Confederacy, as well as some little information in regard to a few members of our regiment, which will be of vast importance to all their friends, news most cheering to some, while to others the tale I have to tell is sorrowful indeed.

Those captured at Reams Station, on the Weldon road, the 25th of last August are as follows: Orderly Serg't F M Thrasher, Co F; Sergeant Finch, C; Serg't. G. Henry Downing, B; Serg't. Chillson, B; Serg't. Provost, C; Corp. Fassett, C; Lyman, C; Card, A; Billings, A; McDonald, E; Fred. Frey, F; Geo Van Chyver, G, Corp'l. Ed Ambrose, G; Hines and Boughton, H; Neon, J; Buffton, J; Thoraton and Wilson, K. The latter named person, who is known in the regiment as 'Billy Wilson,' I am sorry to say, has forever disgraced himself and company, as well as broken his oath, by taking the oath of allegiance to the S. C. After lying on Belle Island for nine months [NOTE:  Probably should be nine weeks - R. A. Post], we were all sent to Salisbury, N. C., the worst prison the Confederacy contains. For the first few days after our arrival there, we fared very well. Those provisions, however soon run short, as more prisoners came in, and we often went a week and ten or twelve days at a time without a particle of meat. Nothing but bread with occasionally a little sour molasses. For twenty days we lay outside with no shelter, not even blankets. Then two small tents were issued to every 100 men. There were in all ten buildings in camp. One large three story brick, (an old cotton factory,) and the other little small buildings one story high. The prisoners however were not allowed to enter these, they being at first used for work shops, &c, but subsequently all converted into hospitals for the sick. If our rations were poor, those issued in these rude hospitals were worse. If in any respect the sick were better off than those who remained outside, it was only in that they were sheltered from the cold and rain, for they had no blankets nor even straw to lie on.

Every morning the dead were stripped of their poor ragged clothes, and carried to a small house reserved for those that died. Toward noon a negro came into camp with his lumber wagon drawn by two black mules, and attended by a guard. Then 'twas a sight most horrible and discouraging to the living met the eye.-Those cold inanimate forms of those once brave soldiers were brought out and thrown roughly into the cart, piled up like cordwood, a leg often hanging over the side and severed by the wheels in their evolutions, and then, the load complete, the driver mounts, and the heap of clay is taken outside and dumped into a hole two or three feet deep, unworthy the name of grave only that it contains the remains of good Union soldiers. From twenty to forty die every twenty-four hours, and I have known as many as seventy to carried out in one day. Every morning more or less were picked up through the camp, who had died from cold and exposure.

But it is useless for me to attempt a description, or relate the horrible suffering, our rough treatment, etc-it requires an abler pen; mine is inadequate to the task. Volumes could be filled with truthful facts of our experience.-Death stalked through that camp, slaying his victims with an unrelenting, cruel hand. The brave and timid, the weak and strong, the gay and sober, all whom he touched with his cold, clammy finger, went down.

It was awful to see with what tenacity some hung on to life, as if they could not die in that miserable hole, so far from home and friends. Ah, life, is dear to all, but Grim Death spares none. Father and son-the aged and young-often both were taken together.

Sergt. Henry Corning, Co. B, one who was strong and healthy, never having seen a sick day in the regiment, was one of the first who fell beneath the blighting, withering hand of disease at Salisbury. As I visited him day after day in the hospital, he seemed to think that he would recover, and only three or four hours before his death he told me smilingly and confidently that it would be so; that he would be up and out again. I sat by his side for an hour or more, talking over past times, and planning for the future, and he entered into the spirit of the conversation as of old. But alas, when I called the following morning he was not more. His spirit had fled, and I found but a cold corpse. Peace to his ashes! In battle he was brave, and knew no fear. On the march, always with his company, never known to straggle, nor grumble at the hard fare and long toilsome marches. In camp, ever ready for duty, always cheerful, never refusing a favor to a comrade, loved and respected by the men and esteemed by his officers. But he is no more. His faults were few, his virtues many. God rest his soul.

Hines of Co. H. and McDonald of Co. E. were also victims to the disease so prevalent at the time; the former was sick for some time, while the latter died in two or three days after he was taken. Both were good soldiers, but my acquaintance with them was very limited. The remainder of our Regt. were sick at different time, but were still alive when I last saw them some two months ago. Orderly Thrasher and Frederick Fray, Co. F. are here at Annapolis and well.

Adversity, has indeed worked wondrous changes in that people, formerly known as the Southern Chivalry. Our sojourn of six months duration, has finally convinced us of this fact; true, our visit was involuntary, and caused by unforseen as well as unavoidable circumstances, 'yet we were thar.' In the days of their posperity, a guest from the north was treated with some respect, but now, because miserable themselves, they seem to take delight in making every one about them so too. Visiting the South in other days, you were shown the best room, a sable individual awaited your orders, and the best was set before you. But in these days 'tis different, at least I found it so, at the Hotel I put up at; viz: the Hotel de Libby. There we will confess we lived high, on the third and fourth floor; but at meal time instead of a hatless 'dark,' informing you that your repast awaited you in the adjoining room, an uncouth looking individual, attired in ragged grey and wearing an old slouched hat, ascends to our room, sings out in a drawling tone peculiar to the lower class, south; fall in you old Yanks! Woe be unto him who is slow, for the 'kicking Sergeant' is ever on hand, and with the toe of his boot, gives the tardy a forcible remainder, that they are still prisoners in the hands of rebs. Let the sufferer, five minutes after, hand him a $20 in confederate 'deeds' to bring in a few loaves of bread, and you find him as accommodating as can be, for well he knows, that at least two-thirds of the 'scabs' goes into his pocket.

Breakfast is served at the same hour as formerly, namely, 10 a. m., and dinner at 3 1/2 or 5 p. m, and supper at-well you can suit your self as to the hour, for Johnny Reb has not the honor of serving that, consequently the meal is taken imaginatively. The bedding of those lucky enough to possess such a commodity, is usually 'hung upon the floor,' and as the shade of night comes down, all generally retire; some to sleep, and perhaps to dream of home and loved ones. Again he is seated in the family circle, or at the festive board, surrounded by friends; but again the pleasant dream is rudely dispatched, by the groans of a sick companion at his side, who courts the god of sleep in vain. But our letter grows lengthy, hence we 'close,' only staying long enough to add, that you will again hear from. 'ORPHANT.'"
-- Thomas Tryniski (scan), Roger Post (transcriber), Letter From A Returned Prisoner (Rochester, Monroe Co., NY, The Evening Express, Thursday, 2 March 1865), Old Fulton New York Post Cards <http://www.fultonhistory.com>

Chauncey Leland "Chance" Harris: The Old Slouch of the Mountains - Part I

Scipio Roots of Chance Harris

Gideon Allen, husband of Phebe Beardsley, was among the earliest settlers of the Town of Scipio, Cayuga Co., New York, removing from the Town of Granville, Washington Co., New York where he was censused in 1790. Storke (1879) places Gideon's Scipio settlement in 1790.

"Gideon Allen, and possibly Ebenezer Witter, the latter of whom accompanied Roswell Franklin in his settlement at Aurora, came in the same year [1790]. Gideon Allen was a cousin of Ethan Allen, and came from Washington county. He settled a little south-west of Scipioville, where his grandson, Lemuel Allen, now lives. He afterwards bought the farm in Springport now occupied by Ethan Allen, another grandson, where he died, aged 97."-- Elliot G. Storke, History of Cayuga County, New York 1789 - 1879 (Syracuse, Onondaga Co., NY, D. Mason & Co., 1879), Internet Archive <http://archive.org/>, p. 418

Although Gideon and Phebe had many descendants and some remained within Southern Cayuga Co., most continued to move west with advancing settlement. Sally Allen, a daughter, married Samuel Millard Strickland, and removed to the Town of Brighton, Monroe Co., New York. Sally's daughter, Fidelia Strickland, married Daniel Ely Harris and resided at various places in western New York, including Brighton, before settling in Rochester, Monroe Co., New York. Among Fidelia and Daniel Harris's three sons was Chauncey Leland "Chance" Harris, the subject of this sketch.

Chance Harris's Youth

Chance Harris was born 4 July 1841 in the western part of the Town of Greece, Monroe Co., New York according to an obituary from a Rochester paper; however, several Allen genealogies give Chance's birth as 3 July 1841 so some uncertainty exists as to the exact date. Daniel Harris moved several times during Chance's youth. Census data place the family in the Town of Rushford, Allegany Co., New York in 1850; Buffalo, Erie Co., New York in 1855; and Rochester in 1860. By this time, Chance was employed as a Clerk and living in his father's household.

Chance Harris's Civil War Through the Battle of Gettysburg

Chance enrolled as a Private in Captain Francis E. Pierce's Company F, 108th Infantry Regiment, New York Volunteers on 31 July 1862, for which he received a Bounty payment of $25.00 with a Premium of $2.00. Two weeks later, on 15 August, he was ordered to report to Camp Fitz John Porter at Rochester for assembly of the troops. Chance was formally Mustered In to the 108th Regiment on 18 August, and they departed the following day by train for Washington, D.C. via Albany, New York and New York City.

The 108th Regiment was thrown into the Battle of Antietam at Sharpsburg, Washington Co., Maryland on 18 September 1862, just one month after mustering in at Rochester. Chance did not face another major action until the Battle of Fredericksburg in Spotsylvania Co., Virginia on 13 December 1863. Thereafter, the 108th went into winter quarters at Falmouth, Stafford Co., Virginia where Chance was promoted to Corporal on 28 February 1863. Fighting resumed for the 108th Regiment with the Battle of Chancellorsville in Spotsylvania Co., Virginia from 30 April until 6 May 1864. The Battle of Gettysburg in Adams Co., Pennsylvania followed on 1-5 July.

During the Battle of Gettysburg, Chance penned a letter to his father. This letter was published well after the Civil War in at least one newspaper and in a regimental history and is instructive on the nature of Civil War battles.

"BATTLEFIELD AT GETTYSBURG, July 4, 1863. Dear Father--Another great battle has been fought and now, Wednesday night, we arrived here from Taneytown, and Thursday morning our regiment was ordered to the front, to support the First Regular Battery. During the day we were shelled occasionally and a few of our men wounded. Yesterday forenoon they opened on us again, but were soon silenced by our brass 12-pounders. The enemy could be seen building breastworks for protection from our shot and shells. In the forenoon companies A and C were sent out as skirmishers and had three killed and four wounded. At noon, or near that hour, they were relieved and came in. About 2 o'clock the enemy opened fire from their batteries, thus getting a partial cross fire on us. Our guns replied in good time and order. Our regiment was immediately in their rear and laid down, but many of them suffered severely indeed. It was the hardest fire the 108th ever experienced--perfectly awful--murderous. Not a second but a shell-shot or ball flew over or by us. Large limbs were torn from the trunks of the oak trees under which we lay, and precipitated down upon our heads. One shell came shrieking and tearing through the trees with the velocity of lightning, striking a caisson, causing it to explode, wounding several. Three or four men started to their feet to leave the spot, but Lieutenant Card drew his sword and commanded them to go back and lay down in their places, which they did. Small trees were cut down, and large ones shattered almost to pieces. Five different cannon balls struck a large oak three feet in diameter which stood not five feet from where I lay, and one of them passed entirely through it. A shell struck right at my feet killing Sergeant Maurice Welch and Private John Fitzner. This destructive and murderous fire continued to pour in upon us for more than an hour--in fact until they silenced our batteries, or rather until we had exhausted our ammunition. Very many of our cannoniers were killed or wounded and the most of the horses. Some of our regiment had to help them run their pieces back by hand; General French having taken command of the Third Corps. Brigadier-General Hays (a brother of the Hays of our brigade, who was taken prisoner at Chancellorsville), had command of our division, and I must say I think he is the bravest division general I ever saw in the saddle. Most of the time he was riding up and down the lines in front of us, exhorting the 'boys' to stand fast and fight like men. Shell, shot nor the bullets of the rebel sharpshooters seemed to intimidate him in the least, in fact he paid not the least attention to them nor did his staff officers. Once he rode by and said, 'Boys, don't let 'em touch these pieces,' and in a few moments he rode back again, laughing, and sung out 'Hurrah, boys, we're giving them h-ll,' and he dashed up to the brow of the hill and cheered our skirmishers, who were driving the rebels before them. Soon after our pieces ceased firing the rebels slackened theirs also, and then advanced in three lines of infantry from the woods and across the fields. I never saw troops march out with more military precision. Their lines were unbroken and they looked in the distance like statues. On they came, steady, firm, moving like so many automatons; our brigade now formed in line to receive them, the skirmishers coming in at the same time. The 108th was taken out of the grove, drawn up in line of battle, and then told to kneel down until the word 'fire.' 
The Twelfth New Jersey was on our left, and the 126th New York on our right. Two pieces of the First battery were brought up by hand. When the rebels had advanced about half-way across the field a deadly fire of grape and canister was thrown into them mowing them down like chaff, but still on they came. When within musket range the infantry rose and poured such a shower of leaden hail into them that their lines broke and they fell back in great disorder. They formed again, however, with part of the second line and came on once more, their officers waving swords and telling them to stand fast and not to break or run. Already they had wounded many of our men, who had gone to the rear. We looked about for reinforcements but they were not to be seen. Our ranks were closed again and we prepared to meet them once more. Lieutenant-Colonel Pierce who had command (Col. Powers being sick), was back and forth along the line encouraging the boys and cheering them up by his cool example. All remembered the fair name the Third Division had previously won in battle, and the encomiums bestowed upon us, and every man stood ready to do his duty and preserve that name or die then and there, and indeed many did fall there, but in the front rank facing the enemy. The second time as we poured volley after volley into them their ranks broke, and all was confusion for a time, but their officers rallied them again soon, and they marched forward in a body, but our fire was too tremendously hot for them, and the third and last time they were repulsed and completely routed. Many of our troops rushed down into the field, and hundreds of prisoners, many stands of colors, and any quantity of arms were taken, and here also did General Hayes again show his courage and bravery. Striking his high-spirited steed on the flank with his sabre, he dashed down among the rebels, seized a stand of colors, and carrying them back he rode at a gallop along the front of our lines, laughing and trailing the rebel flag in the dust, and then it was that cheer after cheer went up for him, entirely drowning the sound of the shells that were passing over us.
No other attempt was made by them to advance to our lines. I hear that General Longstreet was taken prisoner by some of our troops and Captain Ellerbeck of the Sixth New York cavalry, just here, says, he thinks we took about 10,000 rebels in all and thirty-five stands of colors. The 108th has suffered seriously. Company F lost 19 men, three of whom are killed. I think the total number killed and wounded is eighty-nine. We have driven the enemy from our right. Last evening two divisions passed through the town of Gettysburg, and are now following them up. Cannonading is heard in the distance and no doubt it is our troops engaging them or else shelling them as they retreat. As it is raining hard I will finish this to-morrow.
SUNDAY, July 5.--11 A. M.--It rained hard all yesterday afternoon and all last night. Many of the enemy lay on the field wounded. They would have been brought in but the sharpshooters picked off our men whenever they showed themselves. How much the poor fellows suffer can only be imagined. One of our skirmishers coming in said a Mississippi captain offered him $100 in gold to bring him in, but when he would raise, a shower of bullets whistled around him. So he left the poor captain to his fate. Our men are now roaming over the field to see what they can find and the prisoners are burying the dead. I have just learned from good authority that our division, the Third, captured sixteen stands of colors, and our brigade, the Second, took 1,800 prisoners. The casualties of the 108th are more severe than was at first supposed. The report this morning shows ninety-four killed and wounded, so we have but one hundred and twenty men left now. There but few regiments in the field that have been cut down to so few in number in so short a space, though we have won a name that every member is proud of, and that other regiments might envy us for. Since the first day we were in the front, and are still here. I have had more narrow escapes than ever before. Men fell by my side, before, and behind me, and several bullets passed through my clothes. I was also struck by a piece of shell on the calf of my leg. A kind Providence seemed to watch over me, however, and I escaped unharmed, for which I am truly thankful.CHAUNCEY L. HARRIS, Co. F, 108th N. Y. V."-- George H. Washburn, A Complete Military History and Record of the 108th Regiment N.Y. Vols., from 1862 to 1894. (Rochester, Monroe Co., NY, Press of E. R. Andrews, 1894), Internet Archive <http://archive.org/>, On To Gettysburg; pp. 52-53