Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1903-03-26
Wasrto Face Charges of Immoral
Conduct.
TRAGIC END OF ARMY SENSATION
Was Commander OF British Forces in
Island of ceylon-Was the Idol of
Hishlanders During South African
War.


an efficient commander and brave
soldier, Major General Sir Hector Mac
Donald, commanding the British forces
in Ceylon, committed suicide in Paris
today, while enroute to the island
where he was to be tried by a court
martial on charges Of immoral con-
duct, according to the announcement
of the Evening News here today. The
accusations had been filed sometime
ago and General Macdonald had been
in London comforting with some
friends here, and left yesterday for the
continent for his return to the island.
Surprise Military Circles.
Colombo, Ceylon, March 25.-Con-
sternation in military circles was
caused by the news that Major General
Sir Hector Macdonald, commander of
the British forces here, was to be court
martialed ON charges of immoral con-
duct. Macdonald was recognized as one
of the bravest and most able men in
the army and was the idol of the high
land brigade in the South African war.
Sir Joseph West Ridgway, governor
Of the island, had been ordered to con-
vene court martial to try Macdonald.
Sensation in London.
London, March 25.-The news that
General Macdonald was to be tried
by court martial on serious charges
greatly startled the people of Lon
don. While many of the officers of the
army were aware that charges had
been preferred against the noted COM
mander, they were not cognizant of
the seriousness of their nature, Gen.
Macdonald has left the island for the
continent on his way to Ceylon to face
the charges.
Good Military Record.
Major General Hector Mcdonald for
years has been considered one of the
most remarkable soldiers of the Brit
fish army. When he was sent out to
take command Of the Highland bri-
gade during the Boer war, to succeed
the lamented General Wauchope, it
was confidently expected he would
give splendid account of himself,
and he more than fulfilled all eXpec-
tations. He was then AZ years old
He was in his teens when he enlisted
in 1871 as private in the Gordon
Highlanders. Few men In the British
army, it is claimed, have attained such
a record as that.
Mcdonald made name for himself
in the Afghan war and got his commits
sion. He added to his laurels at On
durham, where he commanded the Sou
danese brigade. On his return to Lon
don in 1899 his fellow Scots in that
city feted him and subsequently he
made a triumphal trip through Scot
land, his countrymen turning out in
thousands to do him honor
Scholar and Warrior.
General Macdonald received good
education. He is student of Ian
guages as well as of military science,
and speaks Arabic and Hindustani.
He worked on the little Ross-shire
farm which for generations had been
the home of his family, and then went
into business at Inverness. But he
signed to be soldier and soon found
service after his heart in the Afghan
war, and there came under the notice
Of Lord Roberts and Sir George White.
For conspicuous acts of bravery and
deeds Of soldiery worth Color Sergeant
Macdonald was given lieutenant's
commission i'll his own regiment.
While still a second lieutenant he
accompanied the hundred OF two of
Gordon Highlanders who were with
the unfortunately Colley at Maiube
Hill. Macdonald has known desper-
ate fighting again and again, but new
er perhaps such a struggle as that. He
held his corner of Majuba Hill until
the end. The Beers remember him
with admiration. MacDonald's work
at Omdurman is history.
He is bachelor, handsome, espe-
cialy in the Highland dress, which so
we'll becomes clean-cut, sinewy, alert
figure like his.