John Mac Howard

30 Years Ago - Feb. 4, 1937

John M. Howard, 76, was found dead at his ranch home on Old Woman Creek, by Edwin Pfister last Friday morning.

The Lusk Herald
February 4, 1937
John M. Howard, 76, Found Dean in Ranch Home Last Friday Morning By Neighbor

John Mac Howard, 76, was found dead in his ranch home Friday morning, January 29th by Edwin Pfister. The Howard ranch is located on Old Woman Creek about 30 miles north of Lusk and since the death a year and a half ago of a sister, Miss Madge Howard, with whom he had always made his home he had been living alone. The day previous he had called at the home of his neighbors, the Edwin Pfisters, whose ranch is about a half mile distant, and seemed in his usual health.

However, the next forenoon Edwin Pfister drove over to the Howard ranch and noticed that the kitchen door was standing open and as zero temperatures prevailed, felt that something must be wrong. He went at once to the house and found the elderly man lying dead on the floor. Mr. Pfister then went to the Hans Meng ranch and from there the doctor and coroner were notified.

Mr. Howard had evidently passed away the preceeding afternoon after reurning home from the Pfister ranch as he had overshoes, mittens and cap and had been to the wood pile for an armload of wood. He had returned to the house but just before reaching the wood box had apparently collapsed from a heart attack and the wood which he was carrying falling upon him and died instantly.

The deceased was born in Ohio in 1861. He later moved to South Dakota and then to Niobrara county, Wyoming in 1910 where he located on a homestead which he developed into the present ranch.

Mr. Howard was a highly respected citizen and held in high esteem by his neighbors.

The only surviving relative in this part of the country is a niece, Mrs. Florence Brown of Keeline.

Funeral services were held from the Congregational church Monday afternoon with Rev. George Jenkins officiating.

The pallbearers were Hans Meng, Edwin Pfister, Wm. Hollenbeck, Christ Ruffing, Ira Thomas and Jess Boner.

Burial was made in the Lusk cemetery beside his sister who had preceeded him in death.

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