The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1907-08-10
MICHAEL c. MDONAL DEAD.
He Was Famed - q Gambler and POlitt a. ar
IN ChicagO-Family Troubles.

CHICAGO. Aug. e-Michael c. Mcdonald.
the retired politician and gambler who's
wife shot and killed Webster s. Guerin. an
artist. died In a local hospital to-day.
knowledge OF his wife's infatuation for
the man she killed and other troubles result
ing from the shooting had broken his health
and he was an easy victim of the disease
with which he was afflicted He was os
years old.
The most successful period OF McDonald's
career wac the first Carter Harrison ad-
min istra He was one of the leaders
of the Harrison machine and his influence
with the police enabled him TO secure prac-
teal control over the gambling business
OF the city. He was also supposed TO be
interested in many contracts, and financiers
found his influence valuable In getting
franchises for various public utility cor
porations.
McDonald's best known gambling place,
which he called The Store. was one OF the
show places Of the city. The place paid
an enormous revenue. being u~nhampered
by the police. and was as celebrated IN the
West as was Canfield's in the East. A his
influence in city affairs increased, how
ever, he gradually disposed Of his gambling
interests and devoted himself to street
railroad enterprises.
In these ventures he was associated with
the late Charles T, Yerkes while Yerkes was
COubOuudtlDR many ITHCtlDu IhltS iDtO tnt
Chicago Union Railway Company. He was
Of great assistance to Yerkes also in pro-
noting the Lake street elevated road.
When Yerkes sold out to Eastern interests
Mcdonald disposed Of his holdings and
found himself one OF the very wealthy men
Of the city. He then bought and furnished
a luxurious home in Ashland avenue and
settled down to lead the life OF a respectable
business man.
McDonald's first wife eloped with Billy
Arlington. the minstrel, 10 California in
1879. He took her back subsequently,, only
TO find her clipping two years later with a
priest. Getting a divorce. Mcdonald mar
ried Flora Feldman. the divorced wife OF
Sam Barley, once the famous second base
man Of the st. Louis Browns. With her
Mcdonald lived contentedly up to the
shooting last winter. -.
Immediately after the murder Mcdonald
took the position that Guerin had black
mailed his wife and announced that he
would stand by her to the end. Later when
II appeared that his wife and the artist had
long been intimate and that the murder was
committed in a fit OF jealous rage he took
the case much to heart and brooded over
il constantly. He went on his wife's bail
bone as one of three sureties for $4,000 and
supplied her with counsel, but refused to
see her. The bulk of his fortune. il IL
thought. will go 10 a son and daughter. both
by his first wife. The first wife is twins in
this city Oh the income Of a rooming house'
but Mcdonald broken heart was also q
forgiving one. In the will drawn up re-
Gently by the dying man and made public
at the moment of his death he settled upon
his erring wife one third of his entire estate
estimated at 81. 800 600 and mad a special
provision FOR q fund OF $4,000 for her is-
fence. or this amount $4,000 is 10 be paid
in cash TO Col. J. Hamilton Lewis her coun-
sci. at the trial and SIS 900 at the conclusion.
A. Strobe. chief advisory counsel. 10 to
receive 81, 900 for his services in defending
the woman.
Mr.. McDonald's will disposes OF about
s.. 900, 900 worth of property.