Francis McFarland died

Earlier reports on McFarland’s illness suggested he had been diagnosed with stomach cancer.

On September 10, 1874, it was reported that McFarland’s condition had taken a turn for the worse.

The obituary noted that “the convent and the Episcopal residence [were] now already erected on the grounds”.

1. McFarland’s funeral will be held on October 15, 1874, at 10:00 AM.
2. The Hartford Catholic Institute will pass a resolution honoring McFarland and his support for their organization on October 20, 1874.
3. Thomas Galberry would be reported as McFarland’s successor on February 17, 1875.
4. A mass will be held on the first anniversary of McFarland's death.

1. “During his residence of a little more than two years in this city, Bishop McFarland has made many person friends among those not members of his church who have been glad to recognize him as an efficient co-worker in labors for the general public good, and who will have a special sense of the loss to this community which his death has caused.”
2. “There is little doubt but that his arduous labors since this work [on the cathedral] began told seriously on his not over-rugged constitution. The severe storms of last winter failed to restrain him from his daily visits to his progressing work.  Spring found him a feeble invalid.”
3. “As an orator, he was singularly plain, yet precise in his expression, and possessed the rare faculty of never speaking for effect. His sermons were easily understood, and (rare quality) easily remembered.”
4. “Our Catholic friends are bowed down with grief at his loss, and we respectfully tender to them our sincere sympathy at the desolate widowhood of the stricken diocese of Hartford.”

Unattributed.  “Death of the Right Rev. Bishop McFarland,” Hartford Daily Courant, October 13, 1874, page 2.