Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-06-22
JOSEPH e. MCDONALD DEAD.
He Passed Away Peacefully Last Night, His
Family Listening to His Last Words.


He Passed Away Pe.cefuily Last Night, His
Family Listening to His Last Words
Ex-senator Mcdonald died at IL IS last night
at his home in Indianapolis Early in the
morning the unfavorable symptoms of several
days ago reappeared During the forenoon the
sufferer had an attack of vomiting, and DR.. Run
nell's took the vessel to the window to examine
the contents. The physician shook his head
obviously Mr.. Mcdonald had followed every
movement and when the physician returned
to his bedside he inquired: rs that your
verdict, doctor?'
''Yes." said the physician sadly.
The announcement did not disturb the pa
tents serenity at all.
do you contemplate the change with any
trepidation?' inquired the doctor.
Not in the least" was the reply, with Q
smile.
During the day the patients condition con-
tinued to grow more serious. He could retain
no nourishment whatever and the little remain
ing OF the former strength slowly ebbed away.
But consciousness never departed.
during the afternoon the Rev. Mr.. Milburn
was sent for and administered the sacrament.
Then Mr.. Mcdonald called his family and
some intimate friends about him and calmly,
sereneiy; as II the occasion were one Of the
funeral arrangements and the disposition of
some OF his personal affairs.
In tne presence of all he said he wished to
give testimony to his faith in Gods saving
grace. Then he grasped each by the hand and
babe him goodbye, saying that he could see
no more callers. His auditors thus dismissed,
tne dying man surrendered himself to the care
Oh ms physician to await the coming of the in
evitable He passed away very peacefully
without struggle, surrounded by his family,
VINO were all in attendance at the bedside.
THE LAST MOMENTS.
When DIR. Runnels called, shortly after 8
O'Clock last evening, he found ex-senator Nc
Donald apparently sleeping, but when aroused
he failed to recognize the DOCTOR The family
was notified that death might occur at any
moment and Mrs. Mcdonald, Malcolm, his son,
j. b. Caldwell, his son-in-law. and W. d. Kerr,
half brother, gathered around the bedside.
Several attempts were made to arouse HIM, but
his attention could be held only for a moment,
and nothing could be elected from him but
yes or mo in answer to questions. At 9
o'clock his breathing became irregular the
respirations became further and further apart
till life was extinct. his death being SO peaceful
that 1t was some moments before his assembled
relatives could realize that the end had indeed
come. Though prepared for the event by the
knowledge for several days that his illness must
terminate fatally, Mrs. Mcdonald is greatly
Frustrated over her lose. The funeral has been
fixed for O'Clock Wednesday, but beyond this
no arrangements have been perfected Tele-
grams are being sent to all parts of the Union
notifying friends of the ex-Senator's death and
the date of the funeral.
SENATOR N DoSALD's LIFE AND CAREER.
Joseph Ewing Mcdonald was born in Butler
county, Ohio, August 20, 1919, and taken to
Montgomery county, Ind, in 1926. At the age
of twelve, after a brief period in the village
schools, he was apprenticed at the saddlers'
trade in Lafayette. While working at his trade
he studied law and when he finished his APP
premiership ne was prepared to enter Wabash
College in the higher classes. In 1912 he en-
tered the law office of Zebulon Beard at Lafay-
cite. The next year he was admitted to the
bar. Before he received his license to practice
he was nominated for county prosecutor and
elected over his whig competitor. This was the
first election by the people of prosecuting at
torneys. Later. at the first election when at
tOrneys generals of the state were elected by
the people. he was the choice. As prosecuting
attorney he served two terms, and two years
after was elected to Congress- serving one
term. In 1856 he was elected attorney general
Of the state and reelected in 1853 Declining
for the third time he resumed his law practice,
and the following year moved to Indianapolis.
He stood by his party through the war, but
he was not southern sympathizer. In 1864
he was his party's candidate for governor and
ton. He was defeated. but there was cast
bigger vote than had been cast the two years
previous. In 1875 he was elected to the United
States Senate. He failed to be his own success
sor because of the republican enthusiasm that
swept Indiana in 1880.
Mr.. McDonald's career in the Senate was
honorable alike to that body and to himself
and creditable to his state. The circumstances
that attended his election were particularly
creditable. The greenback disease was raging.
After Mr.. Mcdonald had been chosen by the
caucus delegation of greenback democrats
waited on him and threatened him with defeat
unless he swore allegiance. He told them he
wouldn't change his hard-money views for
forty senatorial positions" Ms Mcdonald
had opinions and the courage Of them. He
was in favor Of tariff for revenue, the pro-
tective features to be incidental only. He
voted for the reconciliation of silver as an aid
to resumption and advocated bi-metallic cur
rency, but adhered to one standard Of value.
In his private life Mr.. Mcdonald was at the
head Of one Of the largest law firms in Indian
apolis and one of the three foremost at the In
diana bar. Mr.. Mcdonald was engaged in
good many prominent cases which have been
tests as to the constitutionality Of the law.
Personally he was genial kindly and winning
In speech he was forceful without passion.
There was no deceit in his composition. he
vas well known all over the country and ia
miliars spoke of him as Joe" or Uncle Jo-
seph." He was married. three times, two sons sur
vlving OF the four children of the first marriage.
The great part OF Mr.. McDonald's life was his
home life, for he was eminently home man.