Mark Robinson’s Journal July 18, 1917

Wednesday July 18

About 1.30 am Martin Blecher Junior brought Dr Ranney and self up Joe Creek in yacht to Portage from where we walked to Joe Lake Shelter House arrived there about 2.30 am up at 6 am and Dr. Ranney took train to North Bay I met trains as usual. Later in day we S Fraser received telegram that a steel casket was being sent in and Thom Thompsons body was to be exhumed and taken out By whose Orders I am not at Present aware.

There is Considerable Adverse Comment regarding the taking of the Evidence among the Residents.

July 18, 1917 Letter from Shannon Fraser to J Thomson

Mowat Letterhead-640

 July 18, 1917

Mr John Thomson
Owen Sound

Dear Sir:

We found your son floating in Canoe Lake on Monday moring about nine o clock in a most dreadful condition the flesh was coming of his hands. I sent for the undertaker and they found him in such a condition [illegible] he had to be buried at once he is buried in a little grave yard over looking Canoe Lake a beautiful spot. The Dr found a bruse over his eye and thinks he fell and and was hurt and this is how the accident happend.

Yours Truly
J. S. Fraser

July 17, 1917 Mark Robinson’s Journal

Tuesday, July 17

Morning fine.

Undertakers Dixon and Flavell came in last night Roy Dixon staying with me. This morn Supt Bartlett ordered me to await arrival of Dr. Ranney Cor. from North Bay should he not arrive to have body taken out of water and put in casket. This we did Dr. Howland examined Body at my Request. We found a bruise on left temple about four inches long Evidently caused by falling on a Rock otherwise no marks of Violence on Body Dr. Howland and Undertakers advised having Body Burried. I reported to Supt Bartlett by phone and he ordered him Burried which we carried out at little cemetary at Canoe Lake Mr Martin Blecher Sr Reading the funeral service Miss Winnifred Trainor and Miss Terry went out on the evening train. About 8 PM Dr Ranney arrived and took the evidince of Mr. Edwin Colson at Joe Lake we then went to Canoe Lake and met at Martin Blechers Home where I had assembled Dr. Howland. Mr and Miss Blecher Hugh Trainor Geo Rowe and self Evedince was taken etc.