Mackay, Archibald Sr. 1872-1931

MACKAY

Posted By: Linda Ziemann, volunteer (email)
Date: 10/14/2011 at 12:10:57

LeMars Globe-Post, February 26, 1931

GORED TO DEATH BY ANGRY BULL
Archie Mackay, Sr. Victim As He Tries To Save Young Calves

Archibald Mackay sr., 57 year-old farmer living on the Shearon place about a mile south of LeMars, died at the Sacred Heart Hospital Tuesday night from internal injuries received when he was gored by a bull in a bull pen on the farm, after he had tried to rescue two young calves that had strayed into the pen.

No one witnessed the accident. Mr. Mackay had come into the house Tuesday afternoon and asked his wife what time it was. Mrs. Mackay called to her daughter-in-law, Mrs. Archie Mackay, jr., and received the reply that it was quarter to four. Mr. Mackay then went out remarking that he would unhitch the horses.

His wife could see the barn from her kitchen window, and a short time later, looking out, saw the horses still standing, all harnessed up. She thought this peculiar and a moment later saw the hired man running, waving his arms.

Mrs. Archie Mackay, jr., ran out and screamed at the bull, which she discovered goring the body of her father-in-law. The bull returned to the far end of the pen, and Mrs. Mackay entered and aided the injured man, who was still conscious, to crawl out. His son, who was burning brush on the opposite of the house, arrived about this time. They carried the injured man into the house on a blanket, and telephoned the LeMars Clinic and Lukens ambulance service.

Examination at the Sacred Heart Hospital showed that Mr. Mackay was internally injured and this resulted in his death. Dr. D. O’Toole found numerous cuts about the face and body, a broken rib, broken nose, and a long gash along the side of the jaw that terminated in a puncture wound at the left ear.

Mr. Mackay was unable to give more than fragmentary information. However, it appears that when he saw the two young calves in the pen, the bull was acting as if it intended to attack them. He let the horses stand and entered the pen to drive the calves out. It was then that the bull attacked him. The bull had never been considered particularly dangerous, but it had been the usual custom, if either of the Mackays entered the pen, for the other to remain outside, standing by with a bull hook.

Archibald Mackay was born on June 30, 1872, at Glasgow, Scotland, and was 57 years, 7 months, and 25 days old at the time of his death. He was married in Glasgow on July 11, 1900, and came to Montreal, Canada, in 1907, moving to LeMars in 1915 with his family, starting to farm in Union township for nine years. Then he moved to what is known as the Shearon place where he has lived since.

He is survived by his wife and one son, Archie Mackay jr., and two daughters, Mrs. Jack Sneller of Cedar Rapids, and Ruth Stewart, living at home; six sisters, Mrs. Angus Stewart of Scotland; Mrs. Ralph Locke of Scotland; Mrs. Roderick MacLean of New York; Julia of New York; Harriet, of Scotland; four brothers: Dan, Duncan, Donald and John, all of Scotland. He took out his final citizenship papers in September, 1930.

The funeral will be Friday afternoon at 2 o’clock from the home. Rev. Cox of the Full Gospel Tabernacle church will officiate. Burial will be in the City Cemetery direct from Luken’s funeral parlor.

NOTE: Archibald Sr. is buried in Block 8, LeMars City (Memorial) Cemetery