Funeral of a Pioneer

Today, Saturday July 14, 1894, old pioneer Thomas McDonald aged 74 years was buried beside his wife in the Fort Calhoun cemetery.

Thomas McDonald was a Scotchman who came to this township in 1855 and perhaps lived on the same farm up to the time of his death.

He was a peculiar and eccentric man who made a few enemies and a great many friends, his enemies not knowing how hard and honestly he struggled to overcome the evil of intemperance. Personally we have known him for over twenty years as a brave, honest and truthful man and during the two terms he was assessor in this township, we believe he gave good satisfaction.

The particulars of his death as given by Fred Williams to Coroner Pierce in our presence are as follows: On last Tuesday afternoon he was returning from a visit to his daughter, Mrs. Marcus Shipley 2 miles southeast of Calhoun and Marcus Shipley got out of the buggy to open Fred Williams' gate when the horse gave two or three plunges and before Marcus or Fred could reach him, he was thrown over the dashboard striking on his head, shoulders and one arm.

He was carried into Williams' house but was restless and uneasy and wanted to be carried to his son-in-law's, so a bed was placed in Williams' wagon and he was moved as he desired, living only about 48 hours.

Several hundred people were at the house and came to the Calhoun Congregational church where the sermon was preached by Rev. Main of Blair with Mrs. Chase at the organ, Mrs. Dr. Pettingill, Miss Price, Mr. Stevenson and Mr. Fender in the choir.

Among the members of the old settlers society present were Aut. and Robert Beales, Paul Staltenburg, Nicholas Rix, David and George Neale, F. H. Harrison, Allen Craig. Henry Frahm, Joe Ames, James Wilde, James Vaughan, Marion Trisler, Peter Klindt, W.F. Miller, E. N. Grennel, Wm. and Perry Blackwood, Harry Seltz, George Rohwer and several Shipleys.

We did not go to the cemetery but understand the ceremonies were very impressive and floral emblems very fine.

And by request of the sons and daughters of the deceased we return to all the friends and neighbors who by word or deed assisted or sympathized with them in their afflictions their most sincere thanks.

The friends who come just when we need them
We seldom know just how to praise,
But we know that our hearts are less weary,
And their kindness we cannot forget.

W.H. Woods

~~~obituary courtesy of the Nebraska Washington County Genealogical Society. Newspaper clippings in the Public Library, Blair, Nebraska ~~~

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