The Dickinson press., 1915-10-02
PNEUMONIA AND, FL E A r 7
TROUBLE TAKES PIONEER
AT AGE OF 81. END
CAME MONDAY.
Came to Territory in. 1874. Hunted
Buffalo and Knew Many Interest
ing Tales of Early Day
History.

ber 27, at $50 o'clock p. M, at St.
Joseph's hospital. where he was tax
en- last week from his home on First
Avenue East. Death resulted from
pneumonia and heart trouble, the pa
tient sleeping himself away.
Deceased was born at Niagara Falls,
New York, on January "a, 1854, and
his last birthday. When seven years
of age he moved with his parents to
Saginaw, Michigan. In 1874 Jeff
Mcdonald became a resident of the
great Territory of Dakota, settling at
Yankton. For some years he trav-
eled great deal, visiting Nebraska,
Wyoming and Montana and finally
brought up in what is now western
North Dakota. He hunted buffalo and
deer and trapped valuable fur bear
ing animals in these parts for some
years. - E.-. i +.
The first log house at Killdeer
mountain was erected by jeff Nc
Donald, the place now being used as
a store house by M. S. Cuskelly. It
is also related that this famous noun
tain received its name from this early
settler.
I'm 1882 this pioneer filed a home
stead on Green river, below the
Fisher farms, this being one of the
first claims taken on the river.
jeff Mcdonald and Miss Annie
0ulrop were married in 1888, and
from this union there are four chill
dren living: Mrs. Joseph Marsh, Miss
Minnie, Samuel and Miss Lillian. the
youngest, the last named, being Is
years Of age. Two daughters and a
son died in infancy. b.: ..s.s,
Mr.. and Mrs. Mcdonald and chill
dren were residents Of: Billings
county for many years, building up
a ranch on Frank creek, 20 miles
northeast of Medora. It was here
that Mr.. Mcdonald held the respon-
sible position of. commissioner. He
also held the appointment of justice
of the peace, and about 1898 he was
appointed postmaster at Gorham. a
name selected on account of his
ranching partner, Fred Gorham.
This was the first appointment made
for Gorham but there have been
many since. The office was kept at
the Mcdonald ranch home, a place
now owned by George Hickey of
Belfield. It was while living on
Frank creek that Mr.. Mcdonald was
called to Bismarck by the state to
testify in the famous Mark Wads-
worth trial.
It was in 1890 that the Mcdonald
family came back to Stark county,
settling at the J. E. McCoul home
stead eight miles northwest of Dick
inson. The place was purchased
from Thomas Oukrop, Sr. It con-
tanned a fine coal mine which was
worked some years in the winter time
by Mr.. Mcdonald. His wagon, which
used to be pulled into Dickinson, had
TX a" painted on the side, this being
the cattle and horse brand used by
the owner, who continued to raise
stock for some years after returning
to the county.
A little over two years ago the
family moved into Dickinson, as Mr..
Mcdonald was not feeling very
strong. In fact, he had not been
very well since his appendicitis oper-
alton of six or seven years ago. Tt
was noticed some weeks ago that he
was failing and physician was
called several times, and when pneu-
monia was discovered on September
Fl it was known right away that the
chances of recovery were very much
against the patient.
. Mr.. Mcdonald usually attended the
Methodist church, although he was
not member. He joined the Macca-
bee order and attended the meetings
of the local hive as often as he could.
Mr.. Mcdonald enjoyed large
circle of friends h and was a good
neighbor, kind hearted and was al
ways ready to assist any one who
was in need. Theodore Roosevelt was
one of JEFF Med Donald early day ac-
quaintances in this county and when
this distinguished gentleman was
making his train platform speech in
Dickinson : the pioneer hunter and
trapper; made his way to the front
and was personally greeted by his
cid Med0ra friend.
Services were conducted by Rev. J
c.. JOfgens0n, In tie absence of Rev
Jg g9G.s Morrison, !. from the church
4 Wednesday AFTERNOON at 200 o'clock
The Method list! choir furnished ths
music. There were great quantities
Of flowers on the casket, and many
old friends gathered to pay their
respects to the departed. The pal
bearers were: Charles Bake, A. ]
Osborn, III. F. Race, d. w. Mckenzie
G.BH. Dickinson and John Leask.
Burial was made in the Dickinson
cemetery, Z. "A. Davis & Son having
charge. II. "
Besides the wife, son and daughters
there are left to mourn the loss Of
JEFF Med Donald, brother at Canton