Mary McLearn

Born Dec 17 1876 - only 22 years old

Very sad history from Rifle July 31, 1899.
Sam and Ed McLearn lost their younger sister
You may not want to read this....
Burned To Death. Sad Accident Causes Death Of Mary McLearn.
The most horrible accident that our community has ever known occurred last Monday noon at the McLearn ranch two miles south of town, whereby the McLearn residence and contents were destroyed by fire and Miss Mary McLearn lost her life.
The cause of the accident was coal oil, which Miss McLearn was using to start a fire and which exploded, setting fire to her clothing, burning her so badly that she died four hours after the accident.
She was alone at the time, the men being at work in the fields, and when help arrived it was too late to render any assistance. Tender hands ministered to her wants and did everything possible to relieve her suffering until death released her from all earthly pain.
She was immediately brought to town and taken to the home of her uncle, Dan Densmore, where she died about four hours after the accident.
The sad affair has cast a gloom over the entire community, and everyone feels the loss as a personal one. No young lady in the whole neighborhood was more widely known or more universally loved and respected than bright, happy Mary McLearn, and her loss leaves a gap that can never be filled.
It seems too hard, that this sweet young life should be thus crushed out just as the maidenly flower was blossoming into womanhood. With a pleasant home, health, the esteem and respect of everyone, a bright future and everything to live for, to be thus hurried into eternity is indeed a sad fate.
The sorrowing relatives have the heartfelt sympathy of the entire community in their sad affliction and there is no one but feels that the loss is their own. The funeral services were held at the church at 2:30 on Tuesday and were in charge of Mariposa Circle, W. of W., of which deceased was an honored member.
The handsome casket was covered with flowers from friends, which bore witness to the respect and affection in which she was held. The church was taxed to its utmost capacity to accommodate the large number of friends who had gathered to pay their last respects to the dead.
The largest line of carriages ever seen at a funeral in Rifle followed the remains to their last resting place in Rose Hill cemetery. The funeral sermon was preached by Rev. Leland and was very impressive.
Miss McLearn came here about three years ago from her home in Nova Scotia and has since made her home with her brothers, Ed. and Sam. McLearn. Her parents still reside at the old home in the east, while three brothers live here, and four brothers reside in Boston.
IN MEMORY OF MARY MCLEARN. Taken Home July 31, 1899.

---