The Western news. [volume] (Libby, Mont.) 1933-current, 1934-04-26
Life Span
Covered West
Of Early Days
George Mckay in Indian
Wars as Scout for u. S.
Forces.
PROSPECTED AND
MINED MANY YEARS

In the passing of George Mckay
last Friday at the Libby hospital, at the
ripe age of 81 years, there came to its
end colorful life; life that was spent
in the west when the west was far
different from what it is today--a west
of Indian wars and gold stampedes, of
hectic mining camps, vigilante days
and stirring pioneer times. His passing
removes from the local scene one of
the real pioneers, he having lived in
the Libby district about As years.
George Mckay was born of Scotch
father and Umatilla Indian mother at
klamath Falls, Or, the report being
his mother also contained French
blood. His father was an extensive con-
tractor, largely on government work.
The father died when George was a
small boy, and for some time the young
boy with his mother and large fam
lily of brothers and sisters, moved from
place to place living with friends. One
of the interesting incidents that add
color to this long life came when
George was little more than an infant
The Indians were causing serious
trougle throughout all the territory
from Oregon to Salt Lake City The
officer in command of u. S forces in
Oregon desired very much to get a
message through to the commanding
officer in Salt Lake City, but it was
almost certain death for a man to at
tempt the trip through the hostile ter
ritory Finally an uncle of Georges
hit upon scheme. He proposed that
the young lad, who was we'll known
among many of the Indians as one of
their own blood, be loaned to him to
make the hazardous trip. He said that
if he fell in with hostile Indians he
would tell them the little boys mother
had died and that he was taking the
child to relatives near Salt Lake City.
This plan was finally adopted and the
young George made the trip in COM
pany with the messenger to Salt Lake
City and return to Oregon, the subter-
fuge working successfully with the In
dams.
Early in his young manhood he fell
in with race horse men and was en-
ployed by them as rider until he be-
came too heavy for that occupation His
riding took him over an extensive cir
cult extending from Walla Walla, Wn.,
east to Salt Lake City and south to
the Mexican border.
As a young man he came to the
Occur d'Alenes during the mining
stampede there, about SO years ago
He went to Missoula in 1886, to Victor
in the Bitterroot valley in 1857 and to
Demersville in 1891 In the spring Of
1892 he removed to Libby where, after
a few years, he became associated with
Duncan Mcdonald and Charles Me
Donald in mining, which association
continued until the death of Charles,
continuing with Duncan Mcdonald I'M
til George was called in death During
all the long years here he had followed
prospecting and mining.
During his early manhood he served
as a scout for the n. S. army during
the Modoc Indian war. This entitled
him to pension but he would never
accept one.
Funeral services for the old pioneer
were held from the Gompf chapel Sun
day afternoon, with the Rev. Mr.. Orr Of
the Presbyterian church officiating.
Pallbearers were members Of the Libby
Pioneer society Music was furnished
by Mrs. George Blackwell and Mrs. w.
c. collars with Miss Inez Ratekin ac-
companist. Burial was in the Libby
cemetery