McFarland, Frank – d. 1903

MCFARLAND

Posted By: JCGS Volunteer
Date: 3/22/2015 at 19:28:07

One of those mysterious deaths which are becoming entirely too frequent in Des Moines, occurred in that city last Friday. Mr. Frank McFarland, a thirty year old son of Henry McFarland, formerly of this city, was found in a restaurant in a dazed condition about midnight on Friday. He was taken charge of by the police, who took him to the home of his father. He did not recover consciousness, and died at 9:30 on Sunday morning. Three physicians who were with him during his illness agree that his death was caused by “knock out” drops, composed of strychnine and morphine. The fact that his watch was gone, and he did not have a cent of money or anything else in his pockets, makes the belief reasonable that the drugs were administered by some one for the purpose of robbery. The blow is a severe one to his friends, in which they have the sympathy of the people of Newton.
The Des Moines papers of Tuesday morning, add to the mystery connected with the death of Mr. McFarland. His watch was found in a jewelry shop where he had left it to be repaired. This destroys the theory of his having been robbed, and now all kinds of theories are exploited as to how his death was brought about.
The deceased was born in Newton and resided here many years, and was well known here. He was a stereotyper, and worked in the office of the Western Newspaper Union, of which J. M. Galusha is manager. His funeral was held ion Monday afternoon in Des Moines, and was attended by Harry Galusha and wife, Chas. McFarland and Miss Ella Hough of this city.
Source: The Newton Journal; Wednesday, January 14, 1903