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Kate McDonald was born in Winchester, Tennessee August 10, 1868, being number ten of a family of sixteen children. Her father a ne'er do well cotton farmer possibly succeeded better in child raising than he did in raising cotton and corn to feed them. The six boys were more concerned in running coons and possums by night and fishing by day than plowing the fields and gathering the crops, so the girls did the major portion of the field work.
They would go to school about four months in the year and the blue back speller figuring and writing was the large course of study, the white folks believed that was enough for the negroes to know.
She told the writer that the picture of the school house would never leave her memory - a log structure 14 x 20 mud plastered, one window, no floor, a fire place in one end - seats of logs that just would not stand still if they dare move about too much. The teacher was a very serious minded old maid who believed in her bottom tail whip as the best teacher of all.
Fate smiled on young Kate and when she was twelve years old she was hired out to some kindly white people and the change was as from darkness to light. A clean bed to sleep in - no more plowing in the field and above all hot biscuits on Sunday morning made with buttermilk. They first moved to Kansas City, Mo. and then to Denver, Colorado in 1883. This was a real adventure for Kate - the beginning of a new life of service and happiness. She attended the public school and graduated from East Denver High school then located at 19th and Stout Street.
Through the generosity of the Frankfort family with whom she had lived and who brought her to Denver she was able to return to Winchester for a visit with her parents which she enjoyed very much but longed to return to Denver and her new made friends of Colorado. An older brother returned with her and they made a home of their own.
Love soon shot his arrow at her and the well directed aim hit the spot and she became the Mrs. Kate McDonald. Steve, the husband was a happy man. To this union three children were born, two boys and a girl.
The children have made good, married and living in well establishments. She lost her husband some three years ago, however, they looked forward to the rainy day and she has no worries to keep the wolf from the door.
Painting and driving to the mountains form her pastime endeavors. Much interest in the order of Eastern Star, she is now an officer in the Grand Lodge of that organization.
The church and its program plays an important part in her life. However, her belief is that the church is failing in many places, when it should take the lead because it is top-heavy in ancient beliefs and sadly lacking in every day worth while movement. She contends that the church has no place with the "Wrecking Gang" but belong to the "Construction Graw".
Asked as to her idea as to the youth of the day she with much pride said: "Youth is all right, they are misunderstood because we don't take time to understand them. They are restless, ambitious and eager to do things and it is our job to help them do." She urges that their powers be directed properly, rather than checked. A lover of birds and flowers, her home is one of the show places of the negro district.
