William McMeikan (1860-20/5/1884). "to assist his father"

The remains of a young man named William McMeikan have been found near Flagstaff Hill (Otago). It is surmised that the young fellow went into the ranges to assist his father, who was hiding from the police, and there met his death. His father is now in gaol for cattle stealing.   -Temuka Leader, 20/9/1884.

The dead body which was discovered on the ranges beyond Flagstaff by William Hounslow on the 16th inst. was conveyed to the morgue by Detective Henderson and Constable Keenan yesterday. They were of course accompanied by Hounslow; but even under his guidance it was only after considerable difficulty that they found where the body lay, the snow, which fell continuously, preventing them from seeing more than a few yards ahead. The body was at once recognised by Constable Keenan as that of William McMeikan, who disappeared on the 17th of May last. It was very much decomposed, and the country was so rugged that a great deal of trouble was experienced in removing it. It was wrapped and sewn up in sacking, and after being carried three miles on a horse's back was put into a vehicle, the journey to and fro taking the whole of the day. At the time Hounslow found the body first he had been rabbiting, and had lost himself through a fog coming on, although his tent was only half-a-mile away. The spot overlooks Blueskin, and is 150 yards from a trig station and six miles from Halfway Bush. The deceased's age was twenty-one and his father, John McMeikan, is at present undergoing a sentence of imprisonment for cattle stealing and was a settler at Lookout Point. On the 16th of May McMeikan the elder was summoned to appear at the Police Court, but he took to the ranges at Silver Peak, and did not answer to his summons. On the following day deceased went in search of him, and nothing was heard of him afterwards. The weather at this time was very rough, and there can be no doubt that the deceased lay down in an exhausted state and died from the cold. An inquest was held at the Auld Scotland Hotel this afternoon at half-past three o'clock, before Mr Coroner Hocken and a jury of twelve. A verdict to the effect that deceascd died from exposure was returned.  -Evening Star, 19/9/1884.

 

Southern Cemetery, Dunedin.  DCC photo.