Peter McDougall (died 1854)

MCDOUGALL

Posted By: Ken Wright (email)
Date: 7/15/2010 at 16:24:30

Maquoketa Sentinel, June 1, 1854

MELANCHOLY-
On Friday afternoon last, Mr. Peter McDougall, a student at the College, was accidentally drowned while bathing in the Maquoketa River. Mr. McDougall's relative, we learned, reside in Canada East. He was an estimable young man, and leaves many friends here to mourn his loss.

OBITUARY-
Drowned in the Maquoketa River on May 26, 1854, Mr. Peter McDougall, of Guelph, Canada East, a member of the Maquoketa Academy, aged 20 years.

By this sudden dispensation of Providence, the members of the Maquoketa Academy as well as the community, are thrown into deep mourning. All mourn his early death and deeply sympathize with his friends far away.

Not feeling very well, he received an excuse from school Friday morning after devotional exercises. Nothing serious was apprehended until Saturday morning, when immediate search was made for him and his clothes were found on the bank of the river about one mile outside the village. Soon after, a little below, his body was discovered cold in the embrace of death.

His mind was one of superior order. A retentive memory, aided by a quick and clear perception made him a superior scholar. His openheartedness and frankness gained for him many friends. We can hardly realize we have lost our dear friend, but so it is, he is gone, we fondly hope, to dwell with blessed spirits in a far better world. We buried him on a quiet Sabbath morn, and springing flowers in the spring of the year, in the opening manhood of his life. We left his body, but we would not if we could call back his immortal spirit from the mansion in the skies.