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from Fergus Falls Journal Death of J. W. MacLane J. W. McLane who about eight weeks ago left for Montana, a perfectly healthy, robust man, returned home a little over a week ago, ill and feeble. His disease speedily developed into typhoid fever, and despite every effort of skill and care he died on the morning of Sunday, the 28th, at his residence in this city. The news awas a profound shock to everybody. Mrs. McLane has been entirely prostrated by the blow. Both her relatives and a brother and sister of the dead man were telegraphed for and pending the arrival of answers the funeral announcement cannot be made, though the interment will take place in this city on Wednesday. John W. Mclane was born in Whitby, Ontario of Scotch Presbyterian parentage in February, 1839, making him 50 years of age the time of his death. At the age of 19 years he came to the new northwest territory, where his fearless courage, good humored disposition and honorable, upright character, soon earned for him an enviable reputation and made him a prominent figure in the early years of northwest development. Early in the fifties, when the gold excitement was at its height, he furnished teams for an emigrant train to the Rocky mountains, and went through with it to the coast, returning soon after to engage in flatboating on the Red River. He had a large fleet of flatboats, running from Forts Abercrombie and Breckinridge to Fort Garry, and it was by the name of "Flatboat McLane" that he was most widely and favorably known to the old settlers. During succeeding years and until he removed to Fergus Falls about eight years ago he was employed by the Canadian Government, carrying mails, provisions, etc. to posts in the northwest territory. Of late years he has lived a more quiet life, an occasional cattle buying trip being his most active employment. In 1870 he was married and has had 5 children, the oldest, a daughter, dying young. Of the four remaining, the oldest is now aged 13 years. Mr McLane was a good father and husband and an honorable, upright citizen. His kind heart made him always foremost in every work of charity and generosity, and his memory will be cherished by very many outside his immediate family and circle of friends.
from Fergus Falls Weekly (Fergus Falls, Minnesota) August 1, 1889 city edition John W. McLane Died Juky 28, 1889. He was born in Whitby, Ont. of Scotch Presbyterian parents in Feb., 1839. At the age of 19 he came to the new N.W. Territory where his fearless courage, good humored disposition and honorable, upright character soon earned for him an enviable reputation, and made him a prominent figure in the early years of N.W. development. Early in the 50's, when the gold excitement was at its height, he furnished teams for emigrant trains to the Rocky Mountains, and went through with it to the coast, returning soon after to engage in flat-boating on the Red River. He had a large fleet of flat boats, running from Fort Abercrombie to Breckinridge and to Fort Garry, and it was by the name of Flat Boat McLane" that he was most widely known to the old settlers. During the succeeding years and until he removed to Fergus Falls about 8 years ago, he was employed by the Canadian government, carrying mail, provisions, etc. to posts in N. W. territory. Of late years he has lived a more quiet life, an occasional cattle buying trip being his most active employment. In 1870, he was married, and had 5 children.
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