The Leavenworth weekly times. [volume] (Leavenworth, Kan.) 1870-1880, 1870-11-24
COL. PETER MCFARLAND.

OFFICE-Nos. 10 IS SHAWNEE STREET
COL. PETER MCFARLAND.
In distant city the writer of these lines
first heard of the death of Col Peter McFar-
land; of the resolutions adopted by various
bodies commemorating his virtues, and of
the vast throng of citizens who followed his
remains to their last resting place. On re-
turning here, political canvass of unusual
asperity was found to Be in progress, and that
did not seem to be the time to attempt to do
Justice to the character of this prominent cit
izen and eminently worthy man. That
period has gone BY, and, inasmuch as no
ether hand has attempted it, We feel it to be
our duty to speak with some fulness of man
who was a warm personal friend, and whose
opinions in regard to public questions, in our
own and other countries, and in regard to the
great men who have been the benefactors of
mankind, were so often in sympathy with
ours-a nominal if not real political OPP
ponent.
Peter Mcfarland was the son of Owen and
Rose Mcfarland, and was born in the town
of Ballymoir, County of Armagh, Ireland.
His parents were farmers in good circum-
stances, and very highly esteemed. Peter
went TO the Parish School at the age of seven,
and his first preceptor was Walter Patterson.
He was an apt scholar, having keen precep-
tive faculties, clear intellect and a memory
whicl. was marvellously retentive. He read
much and easily remembered what he found
in the world of books and in the greater
world Of mankind. Such vigorous and
healthy mind finds itself well stored with
knowledge, whether it has received unusual
educational advantages or whether it has had
very few. But young McFarland's oppor-
:unities must have been very good, Judging
from his general and familiar knowledge of
literature. We have no more facts in regard
10 his life in his native land. We only
know that his respected mother still lives
there, at the age of eighty years; that he has
two brothers and two sisters living, one of
the latter being nun in the order of the
Sisters of Charity, of Chicago.
Col. Mcfarland came to this country in
1851. He first settled on farm, five miles
from Woodstock, Illinois. While living
there he contributed many articles, in prose
and verse, to the Woodstock Democrat. His
nciyhbors there must have soon ascertained
his capacity and his integrity, for he was
twice elected Treasurer of the Township of
Hartland.
But Kansas had attractions for our friend,
and he came here in 1857. During the last
thirteen years nearly all of us, no matter of
what political party, have known Peter Nc
Farland personally. lie has been constant
resident of Leavenworth, and held the Offices
of Justice of the Peace, Captain in the First
Kansas Volunteers, Colonel of a Militia reg
iment, Probate Judge and State Senator, and
WAS serving his second term as Sheriff when
he wa. called to better land.
Below we give few "reminiscences written
by one of Col. ::McFarland's most intimate
friends:
"When the rebellion broke out McFar-
land and myself were then officing together
on Second street in this city. He discussed
the probabilities of the contest and whether
it would be lasting. At first he thought it
was a political manGuvre. But with that
clear foresight with which he was so wonder
fully gifted, he felt that it would result in
4 bloody struggle between the contending
forces for supremacy. He hesitated no lon
ger upon which side to act. He then held
an Office, from which he derived about
5000, per annum. He Immediately went
among his friends-men with whom he had
an intimate acquaintance who were enured to
toll and exposure, by his own efforts
personal and pecuniary, raised in a few days
a company with over the maximum number
and was unanimously chosen their Captain.
He fell on the battlefield near Springfield
Missouri. All friends and companions be-
lieved that his wound was fatal. In CONVEX
saiion with him after his return from the
hospital, he said that he lay wounded, being
shot through the head on the battlefield
near small creek, for three days, without
care or assistance. That after lie fell he was
visited by the surgeon, and the surgeon sta
ted to the litter bearer that it was no Use TO
bother with him, as he could not recover.
He had no recollection for long time af
Ter his wound was received. But about the
evening of the second day he aroused, being
parched with burning thirst. He crawled
to the creek and somehow got into it, to
Iuench his thirst. He was unable to turn
back, but managed in some manner to crawl
ACROSS To the OppOSite hank
There he was discovered by Confederate
soldier from Arkansas, who took him to be
long to their side.
A, that time his wound was fly-blown, and
:ansreened. He was unable to tell who he
was, and where he was from. But he recol-
lccted having about his person some twenty
dollar gold pieces, and he promised the per-
son who discovered him TO pay him,
if he would take him where medical treat
ment could be had.
lie was taken to the hospital and the sur
geon came around to see him; he said it was
no use to treat him, as he could not possibly
recover. lie remained for some time in the
hospital without medical aid; at last it was
given, and months afterwards he recovered
sufficiently TO return to Leavenworth.
When State Senator he refused to support
the candidate from Leavenworth for United
States Senator until he promised in writing,
that If elected, he would not interfere with
the local politics of Leavenworth. This
written pledge was given, and four Demo.
cratic votes were secured"
The same friend speaks Of McFarlard's
wonderful memory fact of which all his
friends were constantly reminded-and say:
that he could quote page after page Of By
ron, Moore, BURNS and Scott, who were hi:
favorite authors. We should put Burn:
first in the list, and might add that We nevel
knew man who loved Robert Burns who
did not also love freedom, free thought, anG
his fellow men. McFarland's sympathy
with the poor, with suffering humanity eve
rywhere, his keen sense Of honor,-''tha
chastity of honor" as Burke said of tn,
chivairy of France, (Which felt stain lik,
a wound''-and his Overlooking generosity
are the same noble traits Of character cele
brated in the immortal verse of Burns.
The wound which he received at Spring
field was fatal in the sense that the Draw
f. "a IL