Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1872-06-11
LEXA. GAZETTE & VIRGINIA ADVERTISER,
An Eccentric Character.

From the San Francisco Bulletin, May 10.
The following particulars concerning Colonel
McDougal, whose suicide at Washington has
been noticed in previous issue of the Bulle-
tin, will be interesting to many of our readers.
Geo. w. McDougal, younger brother of ex.
Governor John McDougal, was like the broth.
er, born in Clermont county, Ohio, and both
were familiar with Gen Grant in their boyhood
The family emgrated to lndiana settling on
White river, in the vicinity OF indianapolis.
the capital Of the State. About the tune Of
arriving at his majority, John was chosen cap
tain of a volunteer company of ludlaniaus, who
took part in the Black Hawk war, and was in
camp with the army at Rock Island during the
devastation of the cholera among the troops at
that station in the summer OF 1882. During
the stay of Gen Scott in this city in 1859 on his
way to settle the San Juan Island dispute,
George McDougal called upon his old connan-
der at the Oriental Hotel, where they compar
ed notes in relation to this trying ordeal Of dis
ease and death through which they had both
passed uuscashed. Upon the discovery Of gold
at Suffers Mill, yielding to the general excite
mcnt, the two McDougals started across the
plains and arrived in California III the sun
mer of lS49 Upon the calling of the constl-
tuional convention, Johu was chosen dele
gate, and took prominent part III the proceed
dings of that body at Monterey. He was sub
sequently chosen Lieutenant Governor, and at
terwards as acting Governor filled the remain
der of the unexplred term Of Gov. Burnett.
George, whose stalwart form and Herculean
proportions will be remembered by many OF
our old citizens, engaged In trade aud IN com-
pany with others entered extensively into cat
tie speculations, buying large bands Of the
rancheros in the southern counties OF the
State Somewhere about the year 1854
or 1855 he left California, and it was
reported had gone to Utah and cast his
lot among the Mormous in possession Of
that territory Be that as it may, moth
ing definite was heard of him tor sew.
eral years, until report reached here
that he had been killed by the Indians
Leaving real estate here of some value, letters
of administration were taken out by his nearest
surviving relative and heir at-law, and the
property converted into cash. In about year
the supposed decedent and the reported vic.
tim of an Indian massacre reappeared ID Call
fornia, to find his estate administered upon,
his property disposed of, and the proceeds
spent. This naturally producing huge dis
gust he again disappeared no one knew
whittier.
A few years since, citizen of the Hoosier
State, taking rather strange freak for one
hailipg so far inland as the banks of the Wa
bash and White rivers, joined those who 60
down to the sea in ships" CoastiDg along the
terra incognitia known as Terra del Fuego, he
landed among the PatagoDians, aud proceeded
at once to make his court to the tall Chief OF
the bands, who loomed up among the crowd OF
six footers By whom he was surrounded. 10
quote the language of his graphic description
in letter to the Indiana State Journal which
was extensively copied at the time, extending
his hand to this suppositiop Patagonian chief,
,ne s,xxted back exclaiming George, is that
YOU p 10 which the Chief, recognizing his old
Indiana friend, exclaimed in turn Why. is
that you p Mutual explanations followed, in
which McDougal stated that, disguised. with
civilization, and thoroughly msanthroplc, he
had drifted among the savage Patagonlans,
where. owing to his superiority of size, and
out of compliment to his huge proportions he
had been chosen as head chief The life suited
him, and he had never anticipated meeting
friend or acquaintance belonging to the white
race, All efforts of his old friend and follow
couptrvman, to induce him to abandon his saw
age life and return with him on the vessel,
were unavaing and he expressed his full
dissemination to live and die among his adopt
ed people. 1t would appear, however, from
the telegraphic dispatch of last evening, that
he did return to civil life, and died by his own
hand.
Nrw YORK BROKERS ON THE WAR PArIl.
At the New York Stock Exchange on Satur.
day, it was announced that Red Cloud and
other Indians would visit the institution. The
brokers decorated their hats with feathers and
made other preparations to give their, red
brethren from the far West a regular stock ex
change reception and show them how the white
hvenas can howl. For several hours business
was given up almost entirely. and scouts were
sent out to watch for the big Indians, who
visited Wall street, but, strange to say, gave
the stock exchange wide berth. The pale
faces on the Bourse did not fancy this treat.
ment from the Red men. and they indulged,fn
nmusements among themselves as if to make
up for the loss of their red brethren.