TEACHER AND JUSTICE OF THE PEACE Donald H. MacDonald , who was a school teacher, and an early resident of Bear River , was born in 1834. He taught school in many different communities, including Monticello . After he retired, he occasionally visited the school in Bear River South, quizzing the students on their History and Geography. He had a cane, which he used as a pointer to find places on the map. Before he left he would say to the teacher, "Remove the children from this cubbyhole, and let them breathe in some fresh air." Taking the advice of his elder, the teacher would then dismiss the class for the rest of the day. The children were always happy to see him coming to the school. This man was also a justice of the peace. On many occasions, he was asked to give advice for trials and other legal matters. Mr. MacDonald was in church one Sunday, and the pastor, Father E. Walker , was delivering the homily. Father Walker liked to give lengthy sermons, and on this particular Sunday, he continued preaching for an extended period of time. Mr. MacDonald got up and was about to leave the church. Father Walker, noticing this, said, "Do you not like my sermon, Mr. MacDonald ?" "No," Mr. MacDonald replied, "you need one worse yourself." Then he kept on walking and left the building. Needless to say, the homily on the following Sunday would likely have been somewhat shorter. Donald died on May 20, 1928, at the age of ninety-four years. Donald's son, Louis, worked in the United States as a carpenter, building and repairing ships. Fifty years later, he returned home to Bear River to live. At this time, his sister, Mary Catherine , was building a new home. Louis was helping with the project and, unfortunately, cut his finger off with the saw. He neglected to look after it properly, and eventually had to have his arm amputated. 46