Murdo MacKenzie
Encyclopedia
Murdo Mackenzie was twice (1891-1901 and 1922-1937) manager of the Scots-owned Matador Land and Cattle Company, and founding president of the American Stock Growers Association, for whom he testified before congress and the Interstate Commerce Commission
. His testimony led to passage of the Hepburn Act
of 1906 which eased railroad fares for western shippers.
President Teddy Roosevelt appointed him to the National Conservation Commission
in 1908, and it was Mackenzie, then manager of the Brazil Land, Cattle and Packing Company, with whom Roosevelt stayed when he visited Brazil
in 1913.
Born in Scotland, where he attended parish school and graduated from the Tain Royal Academy in 1869. He served in a law office and in the British Linen Bank, then as factor for Sir Charles Ross
's estate at Balnagown Castle
. He married Isabella Stronach MacBain in 1876 and fathered five children with her.
He sailed to the United States in 1885 to accept an offer to manage the Prairie Land and Cattle Company in Trinidad, Colorado
. After becoming a naturalized citizen, he was elected mayor of Trinidad in 1891, before accepting the directorship at Matador.
He died in 1939 in Denver, Colorado
, where he is buried.
The town of Murdo, South Dakota
was named for Mackenzie.
comic book, The Buckaroo of the Badlands
(1992), set in 1882, in which the poor, newly-hired Scrooge, helped by Theodore Roosevelt, rescues a championship bull belonging to Mackenzie. In Raider of the Copper Hill
(1993), set in 1884, Scrooge leaves Mackenzie to prospect for copper while his former employer drives his herd to Texas.
Interstate Commerce Commission
The Interstate Commerce Commission was a regulatory body in the United States created by the Interstate Commerce Act of 1887. The agency's original purpose was to regulate railroads to ensure fair rates, to eliminate rate discrimination, and to regulate other aspects of common carriers, including...
. His testimony led to passage of the Hepburn Act
Hepburn Act
The Hepburn Act is a 1906 United States federal law that gave the Interstate Commerce Commission the power to set maximum railroad rates. This led to the discontinuation of free passes to loyal shippers. In addition, the ICC could view the railroads' financial records, a task simplified by...
of 1906 which eased railroad fares for western shippers.
President Teddy Roosevelt appointed him to the National Conservation Commission
National Conservation Commission
The National Conservation Commission was appointed in June 1908 by President of the United States Theodore Roosevelt and composed of representatives of the United States Congress and relevant executive agencies with Gifford Pinchot as chairman. It compiled an inventory of U.S...
in 1908, and it was Mackenzie, then manager of the Brazil Land, Cattle and Packing Company, with whom Roosevelt stayed when he visited Brazil
Brazil
Brazil , officially the Federative Republic of Brazil , is the largest country in South America. It is the world's fifth largest country, both by geographical area and by population with over 192 million people...
in 1913.
Born in Scotland, where he attended parish school and graduated from the Tain Royal Academy in 1869. He served in a law office and in the British Linen Bank, then as factor for Sir Charles Ross
Sir Charles Ross, 9th Baronet
Sir Charles Henry Augustus Frederick Lockhart Ross, 9th Baronet was a Scottish inventor and commercial entrepreneur who invented the innovative and often controversial straight-pull actioned Ross rifle....
's estate at Balnagown Castle
Balnagown Castle
Balnagown Castle is located beside the village of Kildary in Easter Ross, part of the Highland area of Scotland. There has been a castle on the site since the 14th century, although the present building was remodelled in the 18th and 19th centuries...
. He married Isabella Stronach MacBain in 1876 and fathered five children with her.
He sailed to the United States in 1885 to accept an offer to manage the Prairie Land and Cattle Company in Trinidad, Colorado
Trinidad, Colorado
The historic City of Trinidad is a Home Rule Municipality that is the county seat and the most populous city of Las Animas County, Colorado, United States...
. After becoming a naturalized citizen, he was elected mayor of Trinidad in 1891, before accepting the directorship at Matador.
He died in 1939 in Denver, Colorado
Denver, Colorado
The City and County of Denver is the capital and the most populous city of the U.S. state of Colorado. Denver is a consolidated city-county, located in the South Platte River Valley on the western edge of the High Plains just east of the Front Range of the Rocky Mountains...
, where he is buried.
The town of Murdo, South Dakota
Murdo, South Dakota
Murdo is a city in Jones County, South Dakota, United States. The population was 488 at the 2010 census. It is the county seat of Jones County. Murdo is named for Murdo MacKenzie, a Texas cattleman, and was the hometown of current Republican U.S...
was named for Mackenzie.
Popular culture
Mackenzie appears as a character in the fictional Scrooge McDuckScrooge McDuck
Scrooge McDuck is a cartoon character created in 1947 by Carl Barks and licensed by The Walt Disney Company. Scrooge is an anthropomorphic white duck with a yellow-orange bill, legs, and feet. He typically wears a red or blue frock coat, top hat, pince-nez glasses, and spats...
comic book, The Buckaroo of the Badlands
The Buckaroo of the Badlands
The Buckaroo of the Badlands is a Scrooge McDuck comic by Don Rosa. It is the third of the original 12 chapters in the series The Life and Times of Scrooge McDuck. The story takes place in 1882. 15 year old Scrooge is traveling to the west by train. During a conversation with a man who owns some...
(1992), set in 1882, in which the poor, newly-hired Scrooge, helped by Theodore Roosevelt, rescues a championship bull belonging to Mackenzie. In Raider of the Copper Hill
Raider of the Copper Hill
Raider of the Copper Hill or The King of the Copper Hill is a Scrooge McDuck comic by Don Rosa. It is the fourth of the original 12 chapters in the series The Life and Times of Scrooge McDuck. The story takes place from 1884 to 1885.-Storyline:...
(1993), set in 1884, Scrooge leaves Mackenzie to prospect for copper while his former employer drives his herd to Texas.
See also
- The Life and Times of Scrooge McDuckThe Life and Times of Scrooge McDuckThe Life and Times of Scrooge McDuck is a comic book story by Don Rosa about Scrooge McDuck. Originally, the story had twelve chapters totalling 212 pages...