45

Alexander died in infancy and was buried in St. Columba Cemetery.260

Wallace died at 21 of tuberculosis. James was the third son.261

262

James R's first wife died in Jan.1890. When Jimmy was nine years

old, his father married Marcella MacDonald. He was 52 and she was

22.265 As a girl, she was considered a light-headed thing.264

She was the daughter of Alexander MacDonald (Little Sandy the Fiddler) and Flora Campbell of Inlet. She was adopted and reared by Captain and Mrs. Lovie of Souris. She and James R. had three children: Jackie (John) who died when he was only two and a half years, Mary Adele who was born in 1900, and Alexandria Ronelda who was born in 1902.265 James R. MacLean died on March 26, 1903.266 'v

James R's political career as a Grit began in 1869. He defeated W.W. Sullivan for the Assembly seat by 525 votes to 200 votes. 267

James R. MacLean, a merchant and notary public at Souris, sat on

the Executive Council in 1872—1875.268

He also sat on the Board of Works and on the Board of Education. He was a Governor for the Prince of wales College. He was unsuccessful in his attempt in gain— ing the Federal seat for Kings County in September, 1875. A news— paper noted that his loss was disappointing and commented that the election involved too much mud-slinging.269 The dirt flying in this election undoubtedly was James R's opponents criticizing him for be- ing the only Catholic Liberal representative who said he wouldr‘; support Haythorne‘agiegs his government ééaéf駣§ grants to Catholic schools},70 James R. was re—elected to his House of Assembly seat in 1875 and 1876. However, in 1879 he was defeated by John McLean of Souris. He was re—elected in 1882, 1886 (by defeating Charles Mc

Eachern), 1890, 1893 and 1896.270 His 1896 re-election was consid—