Wichita eagle., 1889-01-25
One Begins and Ends q War with Japan,
One Becomes Governor of Califor-
mia and Another Turns Up
Patagonian King.
indianapolis Journal

| teresting history is the oldest, who is still
| living in California at the advanced
age Of ninety. He came to Indian
| apols in 1929, and bought a tract
of land on which much OF the eastern part
of the city now stands. At the time OF
the gold excitement in California he went
to that State, where he has since resided.
He has been q member of tn Legisla ture
of that State, and has made considerable
money, but dissipated it as rapidly, and
now imagipes himself immensely wealthy,
when in reality he possesses nothing.
Charles, the second in point of age, as
sisted by an uncle of the late Governor
Hendricks, secured the appoin tment of as
sistant surgeon, in 1892, at Fort Dearborn,
where Chicago now stands, and which was
at that time only a trading station. Later
he passed examination at st. Louis, and
was made assistant-surgeon in the regular
army, and was stationed at various posts
throughout the country. He was afterward
promoted to the rank of surgeon, served
through the Seminole war In Florida, the
Mexican war. and had charge Of the De-
partment of the East during the war of the
rebellion. He was retired On the half-pay
VI tiu OiliSOi, anu poSoou LIS Aoob Na1
about New York aud Washington, dying
a few years ago.
Daniel, having received an appointment
at Annapolis, went there in about 1886, and
served in the navy until his age retired
him from the department, having reached
the rank of Admiral On his first trip
''out" as midshipman he had difference
with shipmate, and it was agreed that a
duel should be fought soon as they
reached the coast of Africa, as they were
on their way to that country. The duel
was fought and McDougal's antagonists
was wounded in the groin. McDougal
himself was saved by the bullet striking
one of the numerous brass buttons which
adorned the midshipman's uniform As
Captain, he had charge of vessel at the
bombardment of Vera Cruz during the
Mexican war. In about the year 1862
while in the harbor of Yokohama. Japan,
the MIkado issued one of his characteristic
manifestos, ordering all foreign vessels
out of japanese ports. McDoUgal not see
ing fit to obey this order, the Lord High
E2ecutioner was sent to see the command
enforced The American vessel was fired
upon from the fort, and the strongest and
best manned war ship at the command Of
the Japanese navy was sent to assist in its
destruction. McDougal returned the fire
with a sixty-four FOUNDER struck the
boiler of the japanese ship, causing an ex-
plosion, and the entire loss of the ship and
crew.
John McDougars career began with the
breaking out of the Mexican war A COM
pany was organized in Indianapolis, Of
which he was made First-Lieutenant and
General Lew Wallace Lieutenant
On the promotion of the Captain to q
Colonelcy, McDougal became Captain of
the company and served through the war.
In 1850 he went to California and was
shortly afterwards elected to the Office OF
Lieutenant Governor of the State. The
Governor being elected Senator, McDou-
gal succeeded him in Office and filed the
unexpired term. After retiring from otfice
he challenged to a duel en- editor of San
Francisco paper who had been especially
abusive towards his administration. Tho
challenge was accepted and the meeting
took place few miles out of San Francis
co in the early morning McDougal had
taken the precaution TO take plenty OF
wraps along, as the morning was cool,
while the editor was but scantily supplied,
consequently the latter arrived on the
ground in shivering condition. The duel
lists took their stations, and as the one.
two, three was counted they turned and
fred. The editor received slight wound
in the breast after which he expressed
himself as having received satisfaction.
The strangest and most romantic career
was that of the youngest of the boys,
George, about whose life the least is
known, as he was always retIcent upon
the subject of his adventures. Tie left
this city in 1S49 and went to California
remaining there four or five years While
in that State be also had difficulty with
some one concerning the action of his
brother as Governor, and was the third
member of the family to fight duel
Soon after McDougal went to Mexico. was
for time in the hands of the brigands
and led such life as suited his rowing dis
position. he returned to this city with the
intention of remaining permanently, but
after few years stay he again became
a wanderer. He took ship for South Amer
lea, and nothing more was heard of him
for a number of years, until he was found
by a Captain Jones, who was taking
war vessel to the Japanese Gov
eminent As the vessel was sailing
along the coast of Patagonia a number
of the natives were seen making signs
for 1t to stop, and among them
was discovered a white man. The
vessel let down a boat, and part of the
crew went ashore. The white man proved
to be George McDougal, who had been in
that country seven years, and, his quail
ties for leadership asserting themselves he
had come TO be the head of one of the
Patagonian Governments. This was dur
ing the rebellion, and his object was to
secure news of the war. He remained in
Patagonia until his brother David, the
naval officer, in a cruise around the Horn
a short time after this, met him in that
country. The meeting was mutual sur
prise. as neither one knew of the others
whereebout George again returned to
this country, and again took up his resi-
dence in Indianapolis. He died, however,
il New York City.
Ii was a common trait with the brothers
70 say very little about their experiences
They were peculiarly reticent on the sub
ject OF their past lives, and only = partial
history of the more prominent events in
the life of each is known by their nearest
relatives