Neligh News & Leader, September 3, 1931:

Mrs. Lucy A. MCDOUGAL

Lucy A. Coleman, daughter of Nathan B. and Catharine A. Coleman, was born in Vetetan, Chemung, New York August 9, 1849, and passed away at her home in Neligh, Antelope, Nebraska September 1, 1931 at the age of eighty-two years and twenty-two days. Her husband preceeded her in death in July 14, 1890. In the winter of 1848, she was converted and baptized by Immersion in June 1859, and joined the Freewill Baptist church. In 1867, on January first, she was married to George McDougal of Millport New York. To this union four children were born. Mrs. Min-nie M. Ritchie, Mrs. Myrta C. Conger, Mary E. McDougal and Gay N. McDougal, who are all living and reside in Neligh with the exception of Myrta C. Congar, who died August 29, 1918. She also leaves four grandchildren and two great grandchildren. Mrs. McDougal with her husband, saw many hardships and exposures of early pioneer life in Nebraska. The westward journey towards this state began with a short residence in Michigan. This was followed by a three year residence in Iowa. From Iowa the family came to take up a piece of land near Omaha. Here drouth, exposure and the terror of Indian massacre caused the family to sell belongings and return to New York. However, in the year 1880, the deceased came again to Nebraska with her husband where they filed on a homestead northwest of Neligh. Mrs. McDougal became a member of the local Methodist Church immediately upon her arrival in Antelope County. She was the mother of the local W.C. T. U Organization and guided the activities of this wonderful society for many years. She was a strong believer in the Bible and its place in the public schools, and at one time in the history of the Neligh schools she led the fight to have this sacred book restored to our educational institution.

She was the inspiration of all who called upon her in her home. An invalid for years, yet she possessed the spirit of youth that laughed at physical handicaps. To visit her in her home was to come away feeling that one had been in the presence of heavenly virtue and worldly wisdom. Such a visit was to make one with a strong body feel ashamed of himself for any complaint he had felt or expressed because of life’s hardships. Mrs. McDougal was a lover of the beautiful. She loved the flowers and the birds and God's great open spaces. This love of nature made her invalid condition harder to bear, but her Christian fortitude sustained her through it all. Her kind heart and friendly gentle spirit called many to her door to visit and to listen to her words of wisdom and her faith in God. She was a vital part of God’s world to the end.