The Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1885-1886, 1886-06-09
DOC. FARRELL DEAD.
The Veteran Physician Expires In His
Chosen SOlitnde-His Career
C0rOner's Inquest.

Att o'clock last evening, DR.. John
Farrell was found sitting upright in a
chair in his Office lie West Seventeenth
street by Mr. Joseph Maxwell neighbor
dead Though Doctor Farrell has been,
seen upon the street daily for some time,
the news of his death just as it oc.
Cured will not ast0nlsh those who
knew him, and were acquainted with his
way of living For quarter of cen
fury almost, he has lived in solitude in
this city, his Office being his home and he
appeared to be happy in his seclusion.
lie has been very sick on numerous oc-
casions aud he always preferred to ad
minister to his own ailments, rather than
have other members Of his fraternity do
it. On several occasions, however, other
doctors have gone in and found him SO
low, that, but for their efforts his life
would have ended before 1t did. He has
met with many accidents and seemed to
be peculiarly unfortunate in getting his
lower limbs injured He was almost a
cripple from his narrow escapes at the
time of his death, yet he managed to get
around, and what care he had, was gem
orally administered Several weeks
ago report was spread that he had died
while alone as he had not been seen for
some time, and an ARGUS reporter. after
some difficulty, gained access to his office
and found him sitting in chair by him
self, and in very feeble condition. The
attention of the proper authorities was
called to him, and he was attended to-
Yesterday msrning, Mr.. Maxwell, who
occupies rooms in the same building with
the doctor, glanced in at the window as
he went to work-as was his custom
and saw the doctor sitting in a chair APP
parently asleep. But as he was in the
habit of resting in that manner, Mr..
Maxwell proceeded to his work; but
when he returned last night he again
looked in. and seeing the doctor had not
changed his position, the house was
broken into and DIR. Farrell was discov>
cred dead. Investigation showed that
he had been dead some time, and Coroner
Halves was notified and held an inquest,
summoning as jury: Messrs. P. O'Mara,
tforeman); l.. V, Eckhart, Thomas
Smith, b. F. DeGear. f. Hoppe and
Jonas Bear. Mr.. Maxwell gave his ties,
timony as outlined above, and Postmas-
ter Halves testified to seeing the doctor
cross from the postofiice the preceding
(Monday) night. and noticed him fal
near his door step, but recover himself
and walk in. DR.. Truesdale, who had
made an examination, testified that death
had resulted from old age and natural
causes, and Mr.. Maxwell further stated
that the preceding night he had heard
low moaning in the doctors room and
attempted TO enter, but could not get in
He detected an odor of ether at the time,
so it is probable that the deceased ex.
pired during the night. The verdict Of
the jury was:
We, the Jury on oath, do find that Johr
Farrell, NJ. d., came to his death by nat
ural causes brought on by old age.
Dr.. Farrell was born in Pennsylvania
and was seventy-seven years of age
He came here in 1867, and in
1884 his wife and family re-
moved TO Geneseo, since which time
he has lived oy himself in his offic,
in this city. His family has attempted
OF late years to prevail upon him Il
remove to Geneseo but he has always
refused, preferring to remain by himsel
here. He at one time commanded a
large practice in the city and was az
knowledged an able physician and sur
geon. lie leaves wife at Geneseo an(
the following children, George Farrell
at Dixon, DIR. John Farrell, at Cam bridge
DR.. W. W. Farrell at Philadelphia, ant
F. NJ. and X. d. Farrell. Mrs. Schuen
man, and Misses Julia and Nellie Farrell,
at Geneseo. His wife and son s. r. d
and DIR. John Farrell arrived in the city
this morning. The body is in charge of
Undertaken Knox.