Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-07-22

w liIldTl MCV dTldHQ Olcu dl Tic ldHl-
lily residence. $40 A street southeast, at
$3.50 o'clock this morning. The primary
cause Of his death was an accident which
occurred while he was bathing months
ago.
He began to fail rapidly several days
ago, and it was feared that the end was
not far away. He was conscious to the
last and maintained his usual interest
in everything that was Transporting.
Arrangements for the funeral are be-
ing made this afternoon.
In addition to his wife, a son and a
little daughter survive him. The son is
Walter r. Mcfarland of this city. He
was brother of Walter NJ. Mcfarland OF
PfttSburg, acting vice president OF the
Westinghouse Electrical and Manufacture
ing Company. who resigned his commits
sion in the navy to accept that position;
Mrs. Helen NJ. Dunn of Pittsburg. widow
Of DR.. John Dunn OF Washington: Mrs
Edmund Barry, wife of DR.. Edmund
kosky, wife of Rev. DR.. Makosky of Bal
timOre.
Position in Musical Circles.
In musical circles Mr. Mcfarland oc-
cupied unique position. To exception
al vocal endowments were added must
cal abilities of high order. His voice
was a vigorous tenor of unusual range,
and the steadiness of his nerve and his
endurance, both vocally and physically,
attracted admiration at all times. 1t
was often said, in comparing his singing
with that of others, that while some
tenors could do certain things. Mr.. Nc
Fariand could do all things In the sing
ing line Well ,.,,,.
singer. fine soloist and a first tenor in
male quartet work that left nothing to
be desired. according to the estimate OF
his associate vocalists. In q mixed quar-
tet he was rated as first-class. Mr.. Nc
Farlands reliability as a singer was rec
ognized by all in musical circles.
He had sung in all nearby cities and
had toured as an oratorial singer 70
many cities as far as upper New York
state. One of his most remarkable per-
formances was his singing Of the solo
part in 1.-The Light of ASIA" practically
at sight. which he did with credit to him.
self and to the satisfaction Of the audi
ence. On this occasion, which was several
years ago, word was received during the
morning rehearsal of the chorus on the
day of the performance that the profess
sional tenor who had been engaged to
sing the solo part would be unable to
out OF his place in the chorus and told he
would have to sing the solo part. With
this short notice. it is said. he rendered
the part in excellent style.
AS member of the Apollo quartet he
appeared in Richmond and Lynchburg.
Va: Baltimore, Shippensburg, Pa, and
other places, and contributed to the repu-
tation gained by the quartet.
A Native Of Washington.
William D. Mcfarland was born in
Washington. October "a, 1861. He was
educated In the public schools and early
in life became prominent In singing cir
elaS m Mics Mary
Oulahan. sister Of Richard v. Oulahan.
| chief of the Washington bureau Of the
New York Sun.
He entered the railway mail service
November 8. 1877, and by reason of his
excellent clerical ability was soon as
perintendent. He resigned December
II. 1889. to accept a position in the
census office. then under the Depart
ment OF the Interior. at the request
the stationery division in connection with
that office. He was quickly promoted.
and served In the stationery division Of
the census Office until the work was
and the same day was reinstated in
the railway mail service, and fourteen
days later was transferred to the bureau
OF the second assistant postmaster gen.
eral, where he has since been employed.
Highly Praised by Official Superior.
John W. Hollyday. chief clerk of the
Office of the second assistant postmaster
general. in a statement prepared for the
Postmaster General. stated: "Mr. Nc
Farland is man Of the best habits and
OF fine character. His every assign
| ment has been upon work of an ex-
ceptionally high class. He has never
failed to meet every demand upon him
and the expectations of the officials under
whom he has labOred."
In his early life Mr.. Mcfarland led
| the singing In the Sunday school of
the Church Of the Reformation and sang
| In it's choir. He had sung in the best
choirs of Washington for many years.
For a long time he had been connected
Church. the Washington Hebrew Con-
gregation and the Church of the Cove
nant. Mr.. Mcfarland was also a mem
| Der Of the noted Apollo Club and other
years a prominent member OF a Ma
sonic quartet.
Prominent in Masonic Circles.
He was a Mason. and widely known
and highly esteemed in Masonic cir
cles He was made a Master Ma
son in B. B. French LODGE No. Is,
F.. A. A. NJ. October 16. 1890: a Royal
Arch Mason in Columbia Chapter, No. 1,
June 6, 1885, and was knighted in Wash
| ington Commandery, No. l, X. T., o.
tober IA, 1896. He was also a member
| of Almas Temple, Mobiles of the Mystic
| Shrine
Cause of Death.
| Some time ago. while bathing. Mr. Nc
| Farland ruptured q muscle. tendon or