Fergus County argus. [volume] (Lewistown, Mont.) 1886-1946, 1906-08-17
COMMITTED
TO ASYLUM
Justice Of the Peace William r. Nc.
Farland, Well Known Old
Timer, is Insane.
CASE OFFERS LITTLE HOPE
Afflicted Man is VioIent-Willian
Muset Also Taken to Warm
Springs.

Judge William T. Mcfarland, one
OF the best known men in Fergus
county, was taken to the insane asy
lum at Warm Springs Wednesday
morning by Under Sheriff Ed. Martin
and Deputy Sheriff Firman Tullock.
The news of the misfortune that has
oEertaken The old pioneer Will De re-
celVed with deep regret by his friends
all over the state, the more SO as at the
present time there is nothing in his
condition to give hope for recovery,
although ms case may possibly yield
TO treatment. The judge had been act
ing in slightly unusual manner for
couple OF days prior to his depart
ure last Friday for Butte but this was
not sufficiently marked to attract at
Lentlon. On reaching Lombard, how
ever, the evidences Of his condition
We're unmistakable, and he was
brought back to Lewistown Saturday
night. Sheriff Slater was notified by
wire ana met the unfortunate man at
The depot, taking him to the county
JAIL where he was confined until h
left for Warm Springs. While in the
jail he received medical attention, and
at the hearing Drs. Stokes and Pleas
ants testified as to his condition. The
Judge became worse the longer he re-
NAMED here, and when taken away
did not recognize intimate friends
He was quite violent at times.
Has Been Afflicted Before
Several years ago the Judge became
mentally unbalanced, and was confined
in the asylum for some time. His pres
ent attack is much more violent than
the former one, and his condition is
such as to offer little hope. Last month
he made trip around the state, Wis
itinS old friends at Missoula. Helena,
Deer Lodge, Butte, Anaconda and 9TH
er places, and while away made some
inquiries in regard to an interest that
a deceased brother was supposed to
have had III mining property at
Butte. This trip was followed by a
second one to the copper camp, and it
is supposed That he started a third
time on matters connected with this
case. Sheriff Slater made careful in
quiry, and was unable to discover that
the judge had been drinking at all,
and his condition cannot be ascribed
to thai.
Is an Old Timer.
Judge Mcfarland is a native of In
diana, and first came to Montana in
the loS as member of a government
surveying party. He afterwards To-
Gated at Helena, and was once act
ing surveyor general of the territory
Besides the brother referred to, a sis.
ter, Mrs. Childs, was for many years
a resident of Helena, and was well
known in LeWistoWn, where she had
visited. She died last year. The Judge
came to what is now Fergus county
bet)re it was separated from Meagher
and located at Maiden in 1881. He en-
gagged in surveying for time and did
some mining OF late years he has fl
led the position of justice of the peace
for Big Spring township, and gave en-.
/ tire satisfaction. He is a highly edu-
Gated man, with unusual attachments
in many directions. He has always
been known as warm hearted, gen.
erous man, and was typical west
erner.
To Fill the Vacancy
Judge McFarlanI's condition leaves
a vacancy in the office, and numer.
ously signed petition has been pre-
scented to the county commissioners
asking that G.. p. Newell be appointed
/ to ill the place. The commissioners
have also been requested to appoint
Edward Brassey to the position. but
no action has yet been taken in the
/ matter.
Another Insane Man.
William Muset, the man who was ar.
rested recently at Grass Range on d
charge OF insanity, was also taken 70
Warm Springs Wednesday. Muset is
an epileptic, and causes little trouble
except when these attacks seize him
He came to this section from Boise
idaho, short time ago, and so far as
known, has no relatives.