John McDonald, Jr. (1875-1955) Alternate

OLSON, LIVERGOOD, MCDONALD

Posted By: Eileen Reed (email)
Date: 2/10/2024 at 13:07:00

May 7, 1875 --- October 4, 1955

Short Illness Is Fatal For John McDonald, Jr., Tuesday, October 4.

John McDonald, Jr., 80, died at his home on West First Street south Tuesday night about 9:45. He had been ill for about a week.

Funeral services will be Friday, October 7 at 2 p.m. in the Congregational church, with the Rev. Dale D. Brown in charge. Burial will be in Rose Hill cemetery beside his wife who died in July of this year.

Special Masonic services will be given at the graveside.

Mr. McDonald lost his hand in an accident bringing the evening passenger in from Hawarden on August 4, 1943 He was unable to return to work following that tragic accident.

An engineer of many years on the C&NW he was active in Brotherhood work, holding many offices in the local chapter.

He was also very active in the Masonic lodge and achieved the office of Most Illustrious Grand Master of the Royal and Select Masters of the Grand Lodge of Iowa. He held numerous other state, district and local offices in the lodge and was well known throughout Iowa in Masonic circles.

The Eagle Grove Country Club and golf were his other hobbies and he devoted many years to these. He was secretary of the Country Club more years than anyone is able to recall definitely. No activity was ever sponsored at the club that John McDonald was not actively working on.

He served as the unofficial and unpaid golf instructor for many years and numerous present members took their first lessons in golf from him.

He was also a member of the First Congregational church and served on its board of directors and board of deacons, as well as church treasurer.

He is survived by a foster daughter, Mrs. Clifford Olson of Goldfield. His wife preceded him in death having passed away in July of this year The McDonalds had no children other than Mrs. Olson and Mr. McDonald had neither brothers or sisters.

Masons are asked to meet at the Masonic Temple at 1 p.m. Friday to attend the funeral services.

Eagle Grove Eagle --- Eagle Grove, Iowa
October 6, 1955

A Newspaper Likes to Print the News While It Is News

"I keep six honest serving men
They taught me all I knew,
Their names are What and Why and When,
And How and Where and Who."
—Kipling

A newspaper organization gets no greater satisfaction than a news break which it can handle while it is still news. That is, something the vast majority of the readers will know nothing about until they read their paper. The unfortunate accident involving Engineer John McDonald losing part of his right arm is a case in point. Unpleasant as reporting this tragic event was, once it has happened, then it is the newspaper's duty to assemble the essential facts, quickly and accurately. When the Eagle first learned of this accident, at 6 o'clock Wednesday evening, the last four forms were all made up ready to go on the press. Forest Fromm was our first informant and all he knew about it was that it had taken place. All the railroad office here knew about it was contained in a message from Chief Dispatcher Shanor. This wire stated that Engineer McDonald had lost his hand at the wrist and had been taken to the hospital at Cherokee and that Trainmaster Walters was bringing the train to Eagle Grove. Nobody here knew the "when, where, how, or why." All we had was the "what" and "when". We called the hospital at Cherokee about 6:20 and learned that they had just arrived at the hospital and they did not know the extent of the injuries. We called again at 8:15. The patient was still in surgery. In the meantime we called the C. & N. W. Agent at Paullina and got the "when and where”. We got the "how" and additional details when Mr. Walters brought the train in at 8:45. At 9:15 we called the Cherokee hospital and were told that Mr. McDonald's arm had been amputated just below the elbow. So, instead of getting on the press at 7 o'clock, we did not make it until 10 o'clock. Now what did all the telephone calls cost, what was the added time cost on the paper which necessitated changes in all four pages and making over the front page. We don't know yet. Perhaps $20 would cover it. The Eagle, knew that due to the prominence of Engr. McDonald here and his wide acquaintance all over the state, that it was well worth the cost. And we are grateful to the many people who called the office to be sure we knew about it. We appreciate news tips, anytime of the day or night.

And our thanks are extended the hospital people at Cherokee who were most courteous, to operator Stan Chenault, to Agent Madison of Paullina who told us what he knew and finally to Trainmaster Walters for the final details.

Eagle Grove Eagle --- Eagle Grove, Iowa
August 12, 1943