Page:The Granite Monthly Volume 7.djvu/121

 ASA McFARLANl).

��lOI

��He also did the city and " the state some service, and they know it," in upsetting a theory at one time in vogue with jurors, that pubhc highways should be so perfect that no accidents couid occur to travelers. Concord (and other places to a less extent) had been burdened with damages in all sorts of suits from accidents on the highway. Mr. McFarland attacked this theory with so much vigor and success that it was demanded by counsel that he be summoned into court to '' purge him- self of contempt." These vexatious suits came to an end about that time, and suitors have since been taught from the bench that they must be without fault themselves, in cases of accident on the highway : but jurors held not to this wisdom of common sense until the Statesman had aroused public opinion.

The penmanship of the editor was singularly easy, and the labor of writ- ing never seemed to task him. His autograph, open and firm, a revelation of character, easy to be read of men (see frontispiece), was worthy of a place on the Declaration of Indepen- dence, following that of John Han- cock.

The opinions of the Stafcsman were never bartered for pelf or patronage. Conducted in this high-minded and unselfish way, the newspaper attained due influence in the state, while its mercantile printing department became widely and favorably known, and a goodly measure of prosperity followed.

Mr. McFarland was state printer in 1846. 1859, and i860, and a member of the legislatures of 1858 and 1859 ; but he had no thirst for office, and courted no public distinction.

His family consisted of his wife, Clarissa Jiane Chase, of Gilford, whom he married in 1830, and four children, all but one of whom are living.

Mr. McFarland was of a large-hearted nature. He believed that men should do good with their means while living, as circumstances might permit. Dis- tress and sorrow appealed to him with intensity ; so he was kind to the poor.

��helyjing without ostentation, and giving freely to charitable, religious and pub- lic objects — sometimes to an extent seemingly unwarranted In' his re- sources. He had the tenderest in- stincts, and was merciful to every creature. It pained him to see any living thing suffer, and life was not al- lowed to be taken about his premises. He loved the birds, and encouraged their dwelling in his cheerful grounds. Even a predatory woodchuck, which came from the Merrimack interval and took up a residence in his garden, found in him a steadfost friend.

In certain moods, or when earnestly at work, he was rather unapproachable ; but in leisure no man was more genial. Though born of a worthy parentage, he felt no pride of ancestry, and was eminently democratic in the proper meaning of that term. But he never " crooked the pregnant hinges of the knee, where thrift might follow fawn- ing." Slight acquaintances misunder- stood him because he did not always hasten to offer salutations in the street, and this was attributed to an eccentric or aristocratic habit, while it was nothing but mental preoccupation.

He had an abiding love of home and natural scenery. Looking on a large west- ern river and its attractive environments, he was asked, "Is it not beautiful?" " Yes," he said, " but not equal to the Merrimack. That is the most beauti- ful river in the world to me. I wish I could look upon it this minute." So it was in boyhood, he often proposed to school associates that they go to " Wattanummon brook," the " Fan," the " Eddy," or to " Sugar Ball." He was fond of a good story, well told, and when lie laughed it was with an intensity that made merriment conta- gious.

On September 2, 1842, Mr. McFar- land became a member of the .South Congregational church, in Concord, of which Rev. Daniel J. Noyes was pas=- tor. From that date to the time of his departure, his course of life was emi- nently God-ward and progressive. A year later he was chosen a deacon of

�� �