The new North-west. [volume] (Deer Lodge, Mont.) 1869-1897, 1884-08-15
DEATH OF aLrNNn MCFARLAND.


ID. L., better known as "Linn," Mcfarland,
formerly a civil engineer who did much sur
veying In this county, and who had a multi
tude of deserved friends here, but who has
latterly been engaged as manager Of the
Montana Sheep Company, which has some
| IA, 200 head Of sheep in eastern Meagher
county, was found dead and charred in the
ruins of cabin about IS miles north Of Bill
lings, August 7th. The sad particulars are
given In the following extracts, principally
from the Herald:
Mr.. Mcfarland left the Montana Sheep
Company's ranch, in Meagher county, last
Wednesday morning, with span Of horses
and q spring wagon, bound for Billings,
where Le was to meet Mr.. Child and Others,
who were TO return with him to the ranch In
the Musselsheil country. Mr.. Mcfarland
had made his drive Of thirty-fve or forty
miles and stopped at the cabin Of one Jack
man, on Half Breed creek, south Of the Mus
selshell, and about thirty-fve miles north of
Billings, where he met his death. When
Mr.. Jackman returned to his home in the
evening he found his cabin burned, the re-
mains Of man partially consumed by fire
and covered up by the dirt roof that had
fallen in upon him. The span Of horses was
found unhitched from the wagon near by.
These Mr.. Jackman drove to Billings during
that night, and yesterday the sad news
reached Helena. This morning the Billings
city coroner and jury would leave to hold an
inquest and to bring in the body, taking with
them metallic casket fer that purpose,
From Mr.. Henry Mcfarland, brother of
Linn, we get the full particulars OF the late
disaster which caused the death of his
brother. Henry arrived at the mouth of
Half Breed creek, on the Musselshell, before
the coroner, and was present at the inquest.
The facts are: Linn arrived at this stopping
place quite early In the evening, and had
come over this particular road at the request
of Mr.. Robinson, who is the locator and
builder of the road. Linn had met Mr.. Rob
inson going north while he Linn was on his
way from the ranch en- route for Billings.
Mr.. Robinson gave him note to the parties
left in charge of his place, which insured
Linn especial good treatment with reference
to accommodations for himself and team. At
this crossing are three buildings, two Of them
being near together and the other about one
hundred yards distant One of the two 70 IT
together is used as . store, the other as the
sleeping and dining rooms Of the proprietor.
Mr.. Robinson. After supper Linn was in
and about the store, conversing with the par
ties who were in charge, and somewhere
about midnight they all partook Of lunch,
and Linn was shown to his quarters for the
night. In the smaller house of the two above
referred to. He remarked that when at
home he always slept with the light burning,
whersupon lamp was furnished him, fresh
ly filled with kerosene. This was lighted
and placed upon a chair near the bed, and
Linn retired to sleep.
A pet hunting dog owned by Mr.. Robinson
was about the premises, and 1t Is believed he,
in his moving about, in some way upset the
lamp and caused the fire. Either this or the
lamp exploded. A Mr.. Collins had loaned
him rubber coat for pillow, which he says
had a number of cartridges in the pocket.
While the fire was under W ay these exploded.
and were heard by Mr.. Jaekman, who was
camped about one hundred yards up the
creek (Mr. Jackman was en- route to the rail-
road for his family He at once ran down
to the cabin, which was in roaring flames.
This was about o'clock in the morning.
Mr.. Head, an uncle of Mr.. Jackman, was
with him. Seeing no one they broke into
the store, but yet found no one there. Then
by rapidly firing sixteen shots from his Win
chester, he aroused the two men who were
sleeping in the cabin enc hundred yards dis
tant from the fire. AL exclaimed, "Where
is Linn?" Mr.. Collins explained to Jack
sheets of flames pouring from the several
openings In the burning cabin made 1t utterly
impossible to attempt any rescue; but no
doubt from inhaling the flames and smoke
Linn had failed to more than reach the OPEN
ing between the two rooms.
The coroner's verdict was rendered in &C
cordance with the above facts-accidental
death.
Demus L. McFa rland was the son of Mrs.
L. T. Mcfarland, of Helena, and brother of
Mrs w. G. Child, and at the time Of his
death member of the firm Of the Montana
Sheep Company, and had the management
of some fourteen Thousand sheep.
The grieved and sorrow-stricken mother
and sister have the deepest sympathy Of a
large circle of friends in this their hour of
trial and sore affiiction.
The remains were brought to Helena and
buried on Monday last. The funeral was one
of the largest ever seen in Helena. There
were ne better men in Montana than Linn
Mcfarland. Peace to his ashes.