Omaha daily bee., 1908-10-25

taken that year for representation in
the territorial Legislature, and which
historians agree was literally padded,
was less than $500, the metropolitan city
OF Omaha being a village OF not more than
one hundred and fifty people, containing
a half a dozen cabins, a few shanties, and a
tavern in process OF erection called the
Douglas house, Seemingly, to Mr..
McDonald's surprise. the claims were all
taken from two to three miles around Ne
braska CITY, and to procure such claims
as they were DESTROYS of getting, containing
some timber. they Journeyed westward
thoroughly exploring the territory OF the
Big and Little Nemaha rivers with some
Of their tributary streams. After a hard
days ride, at times hungry and with
nothing prOcurable for food, they slept
out on the open. at one time IN a drenching
rain. On Turkey creek they found a hos
pitable family named O'Loughlin and made
that their headquarters for some weeks,
glad indeed for SO kindly a deception
though they lodged with pucheons IA slab
for their beds, a luxury which those who
repose on downy pillows know nothing OF.
After weeks Of searching, Mr.. Mcdonald
on July 4 located a claim on Turkey creek
In Pawnee county. On part Of this claim
he plated the TOWNSHIP upon which has
been built the splendid town of Pawnee
City. Arthur Mcdonald soon tired Of the
privations OF frontier life and before the
close of the boating season. taking the
mules and saddles purchased with his
money, returned to his eastern home.
Charles, though possessing but IS, was
delighted with the country and had then
as since abundant faith in it's unlimited
possibilities.
Perhaps twas providential that Mr.. Nc
Donald became Ill the latter part of Sep
TENDER that year. 1t at least was the
cause of many a new chapter in, II not an
active alteration, OF the plans of his life,
Taken to the home of Mr.. Christian Bobst
on the south fork of the great Nemaha toI
nursing, upon his convalescence Mr.. Bybst
then judge of Richardson and Pawnee coun.
ties, urged him to be the candidate for the
territorial legislature, and soon they are
at Salem in consultation Tith ]. c. LIN
coin, as the result OF which Mr.. McDonalC
represented that district In the second leg
~islature, walking in midwinter from Salem
as far as Nebraska City, at which plao,
other legis .ators took him by sleigh tn,
remaining distance 10 Omaha. He was re
turned to the third and fourth leglslatureI
as a member Of the council Reelected L
the fifth council his seat was contested by
Judge Elmer S. Dundy, who afterward be
same prominent in the state, and aftei
some weeks of delay Mr.. Mcdonald, claim
ing that he had not been allowed an op
%portunity to establish his right to the seat
resigned. IL was common gossip at tn,
time, ana has really never been denied, tina
q fiddler was greatly needed In the villag,
OF Omaha, the territorial seat of the leg
~islature. to play for the dances and othe
entertainments Of the civic and official SO
ciety there, and the fact that judge Dundl
was a good fiddler had Influence with som
OF the legislators in f~avoring him for IN,
office.
DR.. c, A. Henry, who erected the frs
brick store building in Omaha, a brother o
Mrs. Mcdonald, had purchased am intsrOs
in the large ranch at Cottonwood Springs
Lincoln county, and wishing him to TAX
charge OF 1t, with a team Of horses ana tw,
Of oxen, Mr.. Mcdonald drove the 25 mile
from Omaha, arriving the spring OF 1864
and has ever since been a resident OF Lin
coin county. 1t was here he quilt the frs
shingle-roofed house in the county, and 70
cutting the thousands Of acres OF hay, 10
which he had a large government contract
) and in which he employed from fifty {
seventy-flve men, he brought the frs
: mower west of the Missouri river. II wa
! while here also that he had indirectly I
? do with the first legal hanging in the stat
OF Nebraska. II occurred in this wise: Be
: ing on the overland trails OF the west Nj
% Mcdonald conducted a store and feedin
/ station at Cottonwood Springs. W. r. KIM
; 4 Co. Of Omaha aid a banking business a