Radersburg Cemetery
The Radersburg Cemetery is an active cemetery located southwest of Townsend in Radersburg, Montana: Township 5 North, Range 1 East, Section 21, Lat. N46o 10' 34", Lon. W111o 36' 45".
The Macomber Field Cemetery is an abandoned cemetery located about three fourths of a mile ESE from the Radersburg Cemetery. All of the wooden markers were destroyed by a fire. Some of the people from this cemetery were transferred to the higher ground of the Radersburg Cemetery. There are graves remaining in the Macomber Field.
For a listing of the gravesites in the Radersburg / Macomber Field cemeteries click on Radersburg Cemeteries
Notable Obituaries
Click on the link to read the obituary
- Henry B Barkely
- Nancy (Boyles Easterly)
- Allen M. Easterly
- Myrtle (Bennett) Holling
- Edmond Hossfeld
- John H. Kennon
- M. H. Parker
- Baker and Dr. Mann
Henry B. "Old Doc" Barkely
"As the wind blows on January 6th, so will it blow for 40 days, never being out of its course for more than 24 hours at any time during the 40 days."
The saying regarding the weather for a forty day period following January 6th emanated from Dr. H.B. Barkley, a pioneer physician and weather prognosticator. The Sixth of January sometimes even today among some of the old-timers is referred to as "Barkley Day". It is said that only one time during his lifetime in the mountains of Montana did Dr. Barkley's prophecy fail. Upon this occasion, January 6th was a fine, clear day giving promise of beautiful, open weather for the ensuing 40 days. However the weather upset all precedents and on the following day, January 7th, a bitter cold wind came down from the north and the thermometer dropped and for the following month hovered generally around 40 degrees below zero.
Dr. Barkely was a Kentuckian who served for three years as a surgeon in the Confederate Army. In the 1860s, about the close of the Civil War, he came to Montana and located at Radersburg where he practiced his profession and also engaged in placer mining. He frequently made prophecies regarding the weather, many of which were published in the few newspapers, to which prophecies he signed "TICA - Radersburg". By this signature he became generally known through this section of the state.
On April 21, 1884 Dr. Barkely was murdered while at work on his mining ditch at the head of Indian Creek. He had gone out alone for the purpose of repairing the ditch and while thus engaged was shot down. His murderer was never apprehended, although several persons whose enmity he had aroused were under suspicion.
His death was productive of considerable newspaper controversy at the time. One Helena newspaper, taking the position in a most unusual controversial article that his passing might be considered a blessing to the community. Following a brief account of the murder, the Helena Daily Independent, Apil 23,2884 commented as follows:
Dr. Barkely was an old citizen of Montana having come to the Territory from Missouri in 1865. He was a good physician and a gentleman of more than ordinary intelligence. For several years past he has attracted much attention through the Territory by reason of his weather predictions, some of where were singularly accurate. These were given to the public under the nom d plum of "TICA-Radersburg". He was a man of strong prejudices and convictions which often led him into antagonisms. Honest in the assertion of his rights, he was unyielding in the maintenance. Years ago, he acquired certain valuable water rights in Indian Creek, Jefferson County, but he found much difficulty in securing their recognition and was involved in litigation with miners in the at vicinity. He met death at last we presum in the very ditch over which he has so long disputed and litigated. While a bitter, unyielding foe, entirely devoid of a sense of fear, he was a true friend, faithful and devoted to those who once secured his confidence and esteem. He had no family and no kindred in Montana, but leaves a married daughter now residing in Missouri and Kentucky of which latter state he was a native.