Tuesday, 11 June 2024

Duncan Stewart Macpherson, (1891-29/10/1907). "wonderful mechanical genius"

DEATHS

MACPHERSON. On October 29, at his parents residence, Totara House (Oamaru), Duncan Stewart, eldest surviving son of John and Jane Macpherson; aged 16 years and two months. The Funeral will leave his parents' residence for Oamaru Cemetery at 2 p.m. on Thursday, 31st. Friends invited to kindly attend.  -Otago Daily Times, 30/10/1907.


Our Totara correspondent writes: One of the largest funerals that has ever been seen in the Oamaru district was held yesterday afternoon, when the mortal remains of Duncan Stewart, the eldest surviving son of Mr John Macpherson, Totara Estate, were borne to their last resting place in the beautiful Oamaru Cemetery. The cortege was fully half a mile in length, and consisted of loaded vehicles, riders, and mourners on foot, all classes being represented. Duncan, who was only 16 years of age, was a great favorite with old and young, and the suddenness of his death cast quite a gloom over town and country. His loss will be severely felt by his father in the management of the farm, for, young though he was, his aptitude for work of all sorts, and his wonderful mechanical genius made him the equal of a man of mature years. Appropriate funeral services were conducted both at Totara House and the grave by the Revs. Roseveare and Porter. The pall-bearers were Messrs Angus and David Allan (of Dunedin), Trotter, and Gilchrist. A number of his former schoolmates at Totara. School attended the funeral, and all the prefects of the Waitaki Boys' High School were also present, representing the school. On the day on which Duncan was he hoped to have taken part in the Boys' Race at the High School sports held last Friday, but had to take to bed instead. Blood-poisoning was the cause oi death, his illness lasting only four days, and. from the first Drs Douglas and Garland, afterwards assisted by Dr Trotter, of Riverton (the deceased's uncle), gave no hope of recovery, and. it remains a mystery how the disease was contracted.  -Oamaru Mail, 1/11/1907.


Oamaru Cemetery.

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