Young Harris

In the spring of 1893, Harris suffered a serious illness from which he never completely recovered.[8] He died in 1894 and was buried at Oconee Hill Cemetery in Athens.[2] His funeral was well attended, indicating the respect and admiration he had earned.

On January 3, 1909, 112 members founded a new church in Athens. Land was donated by the Reverend Joe Dunaway, with the stipulation that it be named in honor of Judge Young L. G. Harris, who had provided friendship and assistance to Dunaway during his college years.[9] The Young Harris Memorial United Methodist Church of Athens celebrated their centennial in 2009.[10]

In 1886, Circuit-riding Methodist minister Artemas Lester started a school at the small community of McTyeire, Georgia, named after Bishop Holland McTyeire. The goal of the McTyeire Institute was to provide rural Appalachian Mountain children in north Georgia with an opportunity for an education. Lester wrote to Judge Harris, asking for a $100 loan, which was promptly granted.[14] Zell Miller, Young Harris' most famous native, wrote a history of the school and town. He commented, "Young L. G. Harris was a big Methodist church member and didn't have time to come and look at this school in the Brasstown valley, so he sent his associate, a Mr. Thomas, who looked it over and liked the idea."[5] After hearing positive things about the school, Harris resolved to increase his support of the institution. Harris funded the construction of the campus for $20,000, ($4.27 million in 2010 dollars)[11] then continued to contribute several thousand dollars each year.[14]

The school's name was changed in 1888 from McTyeire Institute to Young Harris Institute in honor of his strong financial support. Within the next three years it was changed again, to Young L. G. Harris College, and the United States Post Office Department was petitioned to change the name of the community as well.[15] The initials were dropped over time to simply, Young Harris College.

Susan B. Harris Chapel in the 1900s

In 1892, a few years after the death of his wife, he donated $4,000 (worth $762,000 today).[11] to construct the Susan B. Harris Chapel on the McTyeire campus in her memory. The brick structure contains a bell tower and was home to the local Methodist congregation until a new facility was built in 1949.[16] It is the oldest building on the YHC campus and was most recently renovated in 2009. As of 2011, the structure was used for vespers, lectures, concerts and homecoming.[17]

Provision for the school was included in Harris' will, even though he never saw the campus.[14] However, dozens of family members contested the will, which was finally settled by the Supreme Court of Georgia in 1897 when the college received $16,000[15] of the $100,000 estate.[18]

Arguably Harris' most lasting and significant achievement were his donations to McTiere Institute. An article in the Athens newspaper on May 1, 1894, stated:

Gifts to the school by Judge Harris, at times when they were most needed, established an institution that has shed abroad the light of religion and education and has given to the State of Georgia and to the world a priceless heritage of education and refinement nowhere exceeded. From the halls of Young Harris College, scores of youths have gone forth blessing his name, and their lives have brought honor to their state and country.[19]

Young Harris College is highly regarded in Georgia and has had more of an impact on the state's politics and society than would be expected from a small school in the mountains. Over the last 100+ years, many students have chosen careers in public service; the ministry and teaching have been traditional vocations, but some chose politics. One U.S. Senator, two governors, a number of congressmen, state legislators and mayors all started out at YHC.[20]

A provision of Harris' will requested that a monument be erected at his burial vault, costing between $1,500 and $2,000. Biographer Paul Paschal questioned why a modest man who lived simply and donated most of his income would request such an expensive and ornate decoration. The intricately carved figures of three robed women are mounted on top of the tomb. Close inspection identifies symbols, which reveal the figures to be the three Saints, Faith, Hope and Charity or the three Theological virtues.[8]

The monument appears to be a message to those who visit his final resting place. They represent the principles that guided Harris' life, and he viewed them as the meaning of life.[8]