Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1891-06-25
M'DONALD DEAD.
The Democratic Leader Of Indiana
Passes Away.
BIS BRAVE FACING OF DEATH.
How he Obtained the sobrIquet of "OId
saddlebags"-His Industrious and Hon
orabIe Life Told in a Brief
Sketch.

| INDIANAPOLIS, Ind, June o. -EX-
Senator Joseph E. Mcdonald, the Indi-
ana democratic leader, died at 1885 last
night after a long and hard struggle
against death. He passed away very
peacefully without a struggle, sur.
rounded by his family, who were all in
attendance at the bedside.
Early in the morning the unfavorable
symptoms of several days ago reap
peared, and during the forenoon the
sufferer had an attack of vomiting and
DIR. Runnells took the vessel to the
window to examine the contents
The physician shook his head dubi-
ously when Mr.. Mcdonald, who had
followed every movement inquired:
SIS that your verdict, doctor?"
Yes" said the physician, sadly, but
the announcement did not disturb the
patients serenity at all
'Do you contemplate the change with
any trepidation9" inquired the doctor.
Not in the least, was the reply,
with smile.
During the day the patients condition
continued to grow more serious He
could retain no nourishment whatever,
and the little remaining of the former
strength slowly ebbed away. But con-
sciousness never departed.
During the afternoon Rev. Mr.. Mil
burn was sent for and administered the
sacrament Then Mr.. Mcdonald called
his family and serenely, as if the occa-
sion was one of the most ordinary kind,
gave directions for his funeral arrange
ments and the disposition of some of
his personal affairs. In the presence of
all he wished to give testimony to his
faith in Gods saving grace. Then he
grasped each by the hand and bade each
goodby saying that he could see no
more callers. His friends thus dis
missed, the dying man surrendered him
self to the care of his physician to await
the coming of the inevitable.
Mr. MDONALD's CAREER
Joseph Ewing Mcdonald, ex-senator from
Indiana, WIS born in Butler county, Ohio,
August 29, 1919 His father died while the
son was an infant and the latter was taken
to Indiana In 1926. He was educated by his
mother until his thirteenth year when he
was APpFeptl0ed to a Saddler at Lafayette.
From this fact he wae nicknamed in after
life "Old Saddl eb6gs." he catered Wabash
ls supporting himself by working at his
trade at odd hours and between terms. He
was at Asbury university in 1s4l-42 and
after leaving college studied law, being ad-
mItted to the bag Ia 1874, locating at Craw-
fordsvllle where he established 9 prominent
practice.
Mr.. Mcdonald was prosecuting attorney
from lsi3 to 1s47 and was elected TO the
Thirty first congress from the Eighth Indi-
ana district He was elected attorney-gen-
Cral of the state in 1856 and re- elected in
ls5s. -amoyihg to indianapolis in 1859 He
was the damo1 1-atlc candidate for governor
in 1864, running agains, :; mSrsEn, os
whom he was defeated. He W.. ,sas
OF the state democratic committee in
reorganzed his party and was chosen a SEN
ator In congress by majority of one vote
TO succeed Senator 6. d. Pratt, republican.
He took his seat March 5, 1875, and served
until March 3, 1881, when he was succeeded
by BENJAMIN Harrison, now president
Mr Mcdonald had since confined himself |
to the practice of law, having branch office |
at Washington, as the senior partner of the
law firm of Mcdonald, Bright & Fay
While In the senate Mr.. Mcdonald took a |
prominent part in the debates of that BODY |
and was regarded as n sound constitutional |
lawyer. He favored "hard money" and a |
limited protective tariff