16/05/2026
MR JOHN MACDONALD early pioneer.
Mr. John MacDonald, a respected pioneer of Mount Gambier, died 17th September 1887 after a long illness. A native of Iona, Argyllshire, Scotland, he came to Australia with his wife Sarah in December 1852 aboard the Marmion, landing at Portland, Victoria. Soon after, they travelled overland to Glencoe. During a crossing of the Glenelg River punt, the vessel capsized under the weight of a dray and bullocks; all aboard drowned except Mr. MacDonald, who reached shore with a floating bag of flour. The first trip to the other side of the river was accomplished without mishap, with Mrs. McDonald and others landing safely.
After a short stay at Glencoe, they moved to Mount Gambier. A transfer document for two allotments on the corner of Bay Road and Sturt Street—bought from Hastings Cunningham in 1855 listed his occupation as a cordwainer (boot repairer). He appears to have done well in this trade, because in 1864 it was reported that, after obtaining his licence on 25th March, he began converting his private residence into a public house. He opened Macs Hotel (then a small single storey building) and ran it until 1871. Once financially secure, he returned to Scotland to educate his children, leasing the premises to Mr. A. MacKenzie, who later purchased the licence and the freehold and during 1882 the present two storey Macs Hotel was constructed at a cost nearing 5,000 pounds.
Sadly, the tragic loss of John McDonalds wife occurred in March 1868 when Sarah took her own life by drowning in the Valley Lake, just three months after the birth of their sixth child. (Coroner’s report below).
Mr. MacDonald took an active role in public affairs. He helped establish the town’s first Presbyterian church, organized support for a minister, and assisted in securing the Rev. J. Don as its first pastor. He served as a trustee and as the inaugural secretary and treasurer. He also helped create a reading club that later developed into the Institute, housed its library in his home for several years, and acted as honorary librarian—work for which he was widely appreciated.
He returned with his family in 1883, and his eldest son, Dr. C. C. MacDonald, began practicing medicine in the town. In December 1884 Mr. MacDonald was elected councilor for North Ward and was later re-elected unopposed. He represented his ward diligently while also serving the wider interests of the town, and he was a prominent member of the local Caledonian Society.
His health later deteriorated, and he spent four months bedridden with an abdominal aortic aneurysm, which led to paralysis and death. He was survived by two sons and two daughters; his younger son, Angus MacDonald, had studied medicine and surgery in Edinburgh. He was buried at Lake Terrace Cemetery, and a large funeral procession attended, including members of the Caledonian Society and civic leaders. The Rev. R. A. Caldwell led the graveside service and spoke in tribute to his character.
CORONER’S INQUEST
DEATH BY DROWNING
Yesterday a coroner’s inquest was opened at Mac’s Hotel, Bay Road, before E. Wehl, Esq., J.P., M.D., on the body of Sarah McDonald, who had died by drowning.
A respectable jury was sworn in, with Mr. E. E. Maisey chosen as foreman, and the following evidence was presented:
John McDonald stated that the deceased was his wife. She had given birth about three months earlier and had not required medical attendance. About two weeks later she began complaining of weakness, and by the third week she spoke of nervous debility. She frequently expressed an unexplained fear, repeatedly saying she dreaded something would happen to her. I consulted Dr. Graham, who prescribed medicine, but it did not improve her condition. I then sent her to the country for about eight days; after her return she continued to speak of the same fear, though she always talked sensibly.
Yesterday morning, before I rose, she asked whether I would be able to support the family if she died. I replied that our little girl was growing up and that, with Providence’s help, I would do my best. She got up before me, dressed the child as usual, appeared cheerful, and told my niece to mind the baby as she was going for a walk. This was between eight and nine o’clock; she left at about ten yesterday morning.
George McKay stated that he was barman to Mr. McDonald. This morning he went out to look for Mrs. McDonald and met Mr. Greve, who told him she had been found. He went with him to the spot and saw the body lying at the edge of the Valley Lake, fully dressed. Asked by the Coroner, he said he had noticed nothing in her behaviour to suggest she was insane. Asked by the jury, he said he saw the body between seven and eight o’clock; she was dressed as usual and still wearing her bonnet. He added that he had never seen any disagreement between Mr. McDonald and his wife, and he observed no marks of violence.
George Greve, a saddler, said he found the body this morning between seven and eight o’clock. He first saw part of a dress and a bonnet floating on the Valley Lake. An Aboriginal man who was with him went into the water; the clothing was about four yards from the bank. With Greve’s help, the man brought the body to shore. Greve stated there were no signs of a struggle on the bank, which sloped gradually into the lake. The body was in about three feet of water and was lying on its back. He did not find her parasol but noticed a small scratch on one cheek.
Thomas Garroway, a police constable, said that yesterday morning at about half past ten he saw the deceased walking near the top of the police paddock. She looked toward his house; he nodded to her, but she did not respond. She continued up the road toward the Valley Lake, to the right of the Hospital, and no one was with her. Later, after hearing she was missing, he told Mr. McDonald what he had seen. That night he went with others to the lake, obtained a boat, and searched the shoreline until about three o’clock, but found no trace. When he saw her earlier, she carried a parasol, and he had no reason to think anything was wrong; he watched her for about a quarter of a mile and heard no screams.
Euphemia McLean, niece of the deceased, said her aunt was often nervous but she did not believe anything was wrong with her mind. She noticed nothing unusual yesterday morning, and it did not seem strange that she wanted a walk, though it was not her usual habit. The deceased said, “Phoebe, I am going for a walk,” and left; that was the last time McLean saw her alive. She did not see which way she went. Others had advised her to take morning walks, and McLean assumed she was following that advice. She added that the McDonalds lived comfortably and identified the body as Sarah McDonald’s.
Mary Ann Mills said that yesterday morning before noon she saw the deceased walking down the hill toward the lake near Engelbrecht’s fence. She did not speak to her but watched until the deceased disappeared over the hill and her parasol was no longer visible. She told her mother she wondered whether the woman was “cranky,” like another who had gone there before. The deceased walked slowly and was alone.
Dr. Graham stated that he examined the body of Sarah McDonald and had attended her occasionally. She had complained of low spirits, nervousness, and failing memory. He recommended a change of air, and she went, he believed, to O.B. Flat to stay with her sister. He saw her two or three times after her return. He found no marks of violence except an abrasion on the left temple, and she appeared to have been recently drowned. He said he had never suspected disease of the brain but noted that depression can lead people to contemplate self-destruction.
The evidence then closed, and after brief consultation the jury returned a verdict that the deceased had taken her own life by drowning while suffering from temporary insanity.
Border Watch (Mount Gambier, SA : 1861 - 1965), Wednesday 18 March 1868, page 2
