Tobacco Business Builded a School

William C. Macdonald's upbringing didn't include much in the way of formal schooling, which might explain his later devotion to education. And his ambivalence about the way he'd made his fortune contributed at least in part to his generosity. "I am not proud of my business," he once said, "and that feeling, perhaps, has been the reason for my donations."

Macdonald's business was tobacco, and he did very well at it even though he considered smoking or chewing the stuff a "filthy habit." In the 19th century, Montreal was a major manufacturer of tobacco products and Macdonald was one of the industry's leading lights, and a very wealthy man.

Savage Glassing Over Cigarettes

The ambush and savage late-night glassing of a 40-year-old Maroochydore man was over a packet of cigarettes, according to police.

Detectives remain on the trail of two men wanted for the Monday night assault near Wharf St about 11pm in what is the latest in escalating unprovoked attacks on party-precinct pedestrians.

The male victim and an older male friend had just left Duporth Tavern when the 40-year-old man was struck from behind on his head by a glass, according to detective Daren Edwards.

The senior sergeant said the victim received facial injuries and his older male friend, who was not injured, reported that two men had confronted the pair before fleeing the scene.

"One of the offenders has demanded a packet of cheap cigarettes, but he (the victim) has refused," he said.

An off-duty security guard who came across the scene provided assistance.

The men involved in the assault had come from Duporth Tavern.