Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1895-09-03
MARSHALL M'DONALD.

weeks ne was benefited. week ago.
however ne commenced 10 sink rapidly.
end il became apparent that he could not
long survive. He expressed a desire 10
die NJ home and IL seemed to be his re-
narltable will that kept him alive until
Washington was reached. He arrived. ac-
companied by his wife and daughter, AT
4 o'clock Friday, and was barely con-
sciOus from that hour until his dedth
early Sunday morning.
SERVED IN THE CONFEDERACY.
Marshall Mcdonald was born in Rom
ney. Hampsl % county. Va. now west
Virginia.. october is. 1895. and came or
an honorable stock. His father. grand
father. and great grandfather died in bat
tle-the great-grandfather while COLDER
Of the. Revolution. the grandfather While
fighting at Lake Champlain In the
war Of 1879. and the father while battling
for the Confederacy as colonel OF a caVai-
ry troop These ancestors, except the
rreat-grandfather, were graduates OF
West Point.
The dead commissioner was graduate
of the Virginia Military Institute, and was
q colder OF the Confederacy. having been
a close friend and attache Of the stan 81
Stonewall Jackson during the early years
OF that disastrous war. After graduating
at the military institute. Mcdonald be-
came assistant professor Of chemistry
there, when the chair Of chemistry was
held by Stonewall Jackson. When the
war broke out. Jackson went 70 Harpers
Ferry and assumed command OF the
troops OF Virginia. Mcdonald went with
jackson. and became a member Of the lat
t.r's staff.
Some time after the first battle OF Bull
Run Mcdonald was transferred 10 the
Department Of the Mississippi. and served
on General PembeTtOn's staff as captain OF
engineers. H. was In Nicksburg during
the siege. After the surrender there he
was paroled, and returned TO Lexington
College. where he resumed his duties as
an instructor. Later he Joined General
Bragg's staff as captain of engineers. and
was with him at the close of the war.
Again he returned TO Lexington and be-
came professor of chemistry. holding that
chair for several years. He was subse-
quently made Commissioner OF Fisheries
for the State Of Virginia.
NAMED AS FISH COMMISSIONER.
After holding that position four years
Colonel Mcdonald became connected WIN
the United States Fish Commission. ei
which Professor Baird was president ex-
oihcio. and was employed In the collection
sus. After completing this work ne was
placed in charge OF the propagation oi
shad on the Potomac and IN char6e Vi
the Wythev,lle Station, virginia
At the death OF Professor Baird salary
was attached to the Office of the Fish
Commissioner. and Colonel Mcdonald re-
ceived the appointment from fres'ueh'
Cleveland This was In lsSS. During MS
connection with the commission the man
now dead had labored earnestly Tor the
advancement of the fishing interests OF
the United states Prior to his appoint
,nent he visited Europe, and made eX-
hibits I'm London and Vienna of appli
anccs for fisheries. He received several
medals and diplomas for his work.
Colonel Mcdonald was painstaking and
thorough and for many years prior
10 his appointment as Virginia Fish Com
missioner had made a study OF piscicul
ture. He was the inventor Of the fish
way now In general use. and the hatch.
ipg-jars, which have revolutionized IN,
culture Of fish. He WAS also the inventor
of other important appliances. His ar
ticles and reports on the fishing indus
tries OF the world are of great interest
and his efforts In behalf Of the oyster
have resulted in much good.
WAS SENSITIVE TO CRITICISM.
Although a man of great Will. Colone
Mcdonald had never been physically
strong. His appearance was that OF 4
delicate man. and his features shovel
his high-struny. nervous organization IL,
was extremely sensitive To honest crit!
cism. but was able 10 pay no attention
10 slurs and csnunciations which came
from weak and unreliable sources. HI!
bearing was always kind and gentle. anC
his tread and manner carried for him re
mernbrance of his long line Of n!liiar,
HnCestry.