Mark Robinson's Daily journal, July 16-18, 1917
Mark Robinson's Daily journal, July 18, 1917, Gregory Klages, 2007, Trent University Archives, 97-011, Reproduced with kind permission of Bill and Edward Addison, and Trent University Archives
Monday, 16
Morning fine and clear I washed and Baked Bread We spent forenoon cleaning up around and. Mr and Mrs Dougherty called this morning and got Key to look over the Boys Camp at Little Joe Lake.
Charles Scrim reported that Tom Thompson’s body was found in Canoe Lake by Geo Rowe this morning about 9 am.
I reported to Mr. Bartlett over the phone and he wired for the coronor and County Crown Attorney.
Body found by Dr. G. W. Howland, M.B., M.R.C.P. of 538 Spadina Ave Toronto who Directed Guides Geo Rowe and Lowrie Dixon to Body they took same and put it near shore. Later Martin Blecher Jr. and Mr. Hugh Trainor Put Blanket over body and it remained there all day.
Tuesday, 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.
Wednesday 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.