Fergus County Democrat., 1915-10-21
TRAGIC FATE OF
Joseph '':''..' '"uICR.
Fergus County Commissioner Dies as Result
Of Terrible Burns Received---Sonow
Throughout the County

County Commissioner Joseph Gal.
lagher died at 4:l5 o'clock Friday
morning at the home OF Mr.. and Mrs.
Frank Prouett at Hobson, as a result
OF the burns he received Thursday
evening in saving his wife, whose
clothing had been set on fire by an
explosion OF gasoline she was using
7" clean some articles OF apparel.
Shock was the immediate cause of
death.
Particulars Of Tragedy.
It seems that Mr.. and Mrs. Gal
lagher were preparing to leave Satur-
day for California, to be gone several
weeks, and Mrs. Gallagher was en-
gagged in cleaning some OF her apparel
preparatory to packing. She had Il
vessel of gasoline, which was on the
stove. This exploded and the flaming
liquid was scattered all over her cloth
Ing. Mr.. Gallagher, who was in an
adjoining room, instantly rushed to his
wife's assistance. She had rushed to
a bed TO wrap some quilts about her
and Mr.. Gallagher assisted her, the
blaze being extinguished, SO far as her
clothing was concerned, although she
was quite badly burned before this
was accomplished. In aiding his wife,
Mr.. Gallagher's clothing caught fire
and he went out doors, quickly putting
out this blaze. He then went back
into the house to assist his wife out.
In doing so he walked right through
the flames that were leaping up in
the room where the explosion occur.
red. This once more ignited his cloth
ing, on which there was more or less
gasoline, and this time he was ter
ribly burned, the injuries covering
practically the whole of the head and
body, the clothing being burned al
most entirely away. All this occurred
In very short space OF time. and
when help arrived the damage had
been done. Both Mr. and Mrs. Gal
Mrs. Gallagher's parents, Mr.. and Mrs
Frank Prouett, where medical aid was
given, everything possible being done
for them.
Shock Too Great.
Owing to the area covered by the
burns and their depth, Mr.. Gallagher
suffered from. extreme shock and the
physicians attending had very little
hope that he could survive. Mrs. Gal.
lagher is reported to be in a rather
serious condition, but her recovery is
fully expected.
Mr.. 0aiiagher's Career.
Joseph Gallagher was a native of
Oregon, having been born just north
n ly,n DDfr
to Fergus he had spent much time in
northern California. He came to this
county number of year ago and first
engaged in sheep shearing, perhaps
his first work in this line being ut the
old Huntoon ranch near Utica. He
was industrious and ambitious and
prospered. Later he bought an inter.
est In the Moore Mercantile company
and become manager OF that store for
Q time, giving 1t up to engage in ranch.
Ing between Hobson and Utica. A
couple OF years ago he engaged in the
auto business at Hobson. He was an
excellent business man and accumu-
lated considerable property. He mar.
rted the daughter of MIR. and Mrs.
Frank Prouett, residing at Hobson,
and his two sons, aged about IA and
IL respectively. survive him.
1 County Commissioners.
Mr.. Gallagher was elected county V
commissioner in the fall of 1910 for the
six-year term. which would have ex.
pired the first Monday in January,
1917. Under the law the vacancy on
the board will be filled by appoint
mert by Judge Roy T.. Ayers.
Mr.. Gallagher was, of course, wide.
ly known all over the county and was
recognized by everyone as a man Of
ability and the highest integrity. His
tragic death is universally deplored.
An immense concourse of people as
sembled at Hobson Tuesday after
noon to pay the last tribute of respect
to the memory of the late Joseph Gal.
lagher. A stream of autos poured into
Hobson all during the morning, hun.
dreds OF them making the trip from
Lewistown, Stanford, Moore, Garneil
and the Buffalo section, while many
other localities were represented.
The services were held at 2 p. m.
at the Hobson church which, OF
course, was only large enough to ac,
commodate very small portion of
those who had gathered.
TIE services were very impres.
sive, and Rev. George Edwards of
Great Falls, who conducted them, de-
livered an address that gave all the
consolation words could offer He
paid a splendid tribute to the high
character of the decedent.
The pail bearers were Ben Mcleod
James l.. Martin, Patrick Flanagan
G. w. Cowan, Bert Melchert and
James Raw.
One of Mr.. Gallagher's brothers ar
rived from California in time for the
service. Another brother came in
late in the afternoon and the inter
ment in the Philbrook cemetery was
deferred until his arrival. Mrs. Gal
lagher is reported as recovering nice
ly from the burns she received during
the fire last week but the death OF
her husband proved very heavy
blow to her.
Home 10 Destroyed.
The bungalow home of Mr.. anG
Mrs. Gallagher was burned to the
ground, very little of the contents be
ing saved.