Percy W. Merrifield known always as “Perd” probably came to Granite County about 1888, which is when his mother Orphenia Niles arrived in Philipsburg, according to her obituary in June of 1905. At the time of Orphenia death, she was living with Perd and his wife Frankie (Porter) at the family home on Duffy Street. Of note, Percy was 50 years of age when his son Forrest “Buster” was born.
Sometime after this they moved to the “Porter’s Corner” area ranch south of town where he built a massive barn, that at this time is still standing.
This article is about Perd and John Rundin a wood hauler who had made his home at Flint Creek Crossing for about 20 years. Accordiing to the Philipsburg Mail, John went into town with a load of cordwood on Saturday April 3, 1909 “and after delivering tied his team and visited for a time with friends. He imbibed perhaps a little too freely and fell asleep in a certain barroom. P.W. Merrifield found him there and decided to take the old man home, as he had done on several occasions before.
Mr. Rundin was using a team of horses belonging to Mr. Merrifield and the two were old time friends. Mr. Merrifield got the team and wagon with the empty wood rack and then had several friends assist him in loading the old man on the wagon and started up the valley. After being out in the fresh air for a time Mr. Rundin became contrary and Mr. Merrifield had great difficulty in keeping him on the wagon and driving the team at the same time, Near the Snavely place, Rundin fell from the wagon and one of the wheels passed over him. Mr. Merrifield was unable to get him back into the wagon as the old man was hostile and wanting to fight. Mr. Merrifield then drove over to the schoolhouse {Trout Creek} where election was in progress and had several men come over and help put Mr. Rundin back on the wagon.
He then proceeded toward camp and when within a short distance of the cabin Rundin again fell through the rack and the wheel passed over him again. Lee Metcalf in a single buggy followed a short distance behind the wood wagon and he assisted Mr. Merrifield in carrying the old man into the cabin and putting the team in the barn. Then the two drove back to the schoolhouse. They met J.B. Harris on the way to the power house and asked him to stop in and see how the old man was getting along. Mr. Harris found him in great pain and after making him as comfortable as he could, hastened to the power house and informed Mr. N.J. Mershon, who was with his wife, and they came down and remained with the old man nearly all night. They were unable to get Philipsburg by telephone to call a physician so Mr. Harris drove down early Sunday morning and put the old man in his buggy and brought him to town where he was received at Mrs. Bulger’s hospital; and everything possible was done for him, The old man did not know how he got hurt and blamed no one for it.
John Runyon, which is said to be the correct way of spelling his name was a native of Sweden and about 65 years of age.”
He died at 10 o’clock Tuesday morning, April 6, 1909 and had no known relatives.
Perd continued helping people until October 25, 1957.
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