Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1891-06-25
MCDONALD DEAD.
The Democratic Leader of Indiana
Passes Away.
his BRAVE FACING OF DEATH.
How He Obtained the Sobrfquet of .sOld
Soddlebags"-HisI industrious and Hon.
orable Life Told In . Brief
Sketch.

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind, June e2-Ex-
Senator Joseph E Mcdonald, the Indi-
ana democratic leader, died at 11:S5 last
night after a long and hard struggle
against death. He passed away very
peacefully without 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
DR.. 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 trepidation?" inquired the doctor.
mot 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
sciousness never departed.
During the afternoon Rev. Mr. Mil
burn was sent for and administered the
sacrament Then Mr.. Mcdonald called
his ia mily and serenely, as if the occa-
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 babe 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. M'DONALD's CAREER.
Joseph EwinR Mcdonald. ex-senator from
Indiana, q born in Butler county. Ohio.
August 20, 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 apprenticed to a saddler at Lafayette.
From this fact he was nicknamed in after
life "Old Saddl ebaxs" He entered Wabash
college at Charlottesville. Ind. at the age of
Is. supporting himself by working at his
trade at odd hours and between terms He
was at Asbury university in 1s4 IA and
after leaving college studied law, being ad-
mitted to the bar in 1874, locating at Craw-
louisville where he established prom .nent
practice.
Mr. Mcdonald was prosecuting attorney
from 1913 to ls47 and was elected to the
Thirty first congress from the Eighth Indf-
ana district He was elected attorney gen
eral of the state in 1856 and electei in
1855, removing to Indianapolis in 1859 He
was the democratic candidate for governor
in 1861, running against Oliver z. Morton, by
whom he WAS defeated He was chairman
OF the state democratic committee m
reorRanfzed his party and was chosen a SEN
ator In congress by majority of one vote
to succeed Senator s. ID. Pratt, republican.
He took his seat March 3, 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 a 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 sound constitutional
lawyer. He favored "hard money" and a
linn ted protective tariff