Thomas McGaffrey
| Date of Interment or Death | 01/20/1921 |
|---|---|
| Location | Old Fairview |
| Section | B |
| Block-Lot-Grave | 10-10-12 |
Obituary
Thomas McGaffrey-1921
TOM McGAFFREY DEAD; BODY FOUND FROZEN WELL KNOWN CHARACTER LIVED IN SHACK FOR MANY YEARS SIGNS POINT TO HEART FAILURE Noting His Absence, Police Broke in Door and Found Body Lying By Stove
Tom McGaffrey, a well known character of Wahpeton for many years, died in a little shack which he called home some time Saturday night, probably early in the evening. He had dwelt for many years in a little lean-to which he had built into the barn which he owned, just south of the high school.
Having failed to see Tom since Saturday afternoon, James Pruett, who resides nearby, notified the police Monday afternoon that McGaffrey was missing. Chief of police W. E. Morden and Mr. Pruett then visited the place and forced an entrance, when they discovered the body lying on the floor. It was frozen stiff. The fire had burned out, and a kerosene lamp on the table had burned itself dry before smoking up the chimney and going out. Indications were that Tim had been sitting down by his fire eating supper when the attack of heart failure came, and that he fell forward from the chair, being dead when he struck the floor. A gash in his temple, caused by striking his head against the stove, showed plainly, but no blood had been spilled indicating that his heart had stopped when he struck.
McGaffrey came to this country in the early days. Nothing is known of his nativity except that he was supposed to be Irish. His parentage is unknown. He came west as a freighter, and is said to have worked for the government, and by some is reported to have been a scout connected to troops in Indian warfare – some say one time he was with Custer. He made several trips from Wahpeton to Winnipeg on freight barges down the Red river. Later he was a professional gambler, and followed various activities; worked in livery stables, did odd jobs, and at times worked on the city streets. He is said to have been unable to read or write. At one time he owned a team and did teaming and draying. He owned the barn and the lot on which it stood, and some years ago built the shack which he occupied, although the horses had been disposed of some time ago.
McGaffrey gave his age as seventy-eight. Being without funds and in bad health this summer he was taken to the Wahpeton hospital last May where he remained a county and city charge until July. He had been feeble all summer and winter, and had at times received aid from the city.
Coroner J. M. Ness made and examination of the shack Tuesday, and discovered about three hundred and fifty dollars hidden away in old clothes. This money will be used to defray funeral expenses and to reimburse the county and city. Some of the men are arranging the funeral details, to see that Tom gets a decent burial.
Location
Old Fairview is located on the southern half of the cemetery grounds.