After almost twelve years continuous residence in Yukon as officer of the
Royal Northwest Mounted Police, Major Fitz J. Horrigan left yesterday for police headquarters, Regina, Saskatchewan, at which place he was ordered by Commissioner Perry to report on the first day of September.
Twelve years ago this fall Major Horrigan, then inspector, came to Whitehorse from Regina. He was here and at Carcross on active duty until five years ago when he was transferred to Dawson. When Major Snyder left Yukon last year the then Inspector Horrigan was promoted to chief officer of Yukon and early the present year he was made superintendent of police by the commissioner at Regina. Last December and, when acting commissioner of the Yukon territory, Arthur Wilson, completed his term of six months, Major Horrigan was made administrator of the territory, which position he ably and creditably filled until the arrival of Commissioner Black the latter part of March.
Major Horrigan arrived here from Dawson on his way to the outside on the steamer White Horse Tuesday morning. During that forenoon he was busy calling on his many friends and in the afternoon, accompanied by Captain Acland, Dr. A. P. Hawes and E. J. White, he visited the Pueblo mine where he was shown over the workings by General Manager Greenough and where he was treated to a sight of the greatest activity in quartz mining ever beheld in Yukon.
Wednesday night a dinner was given in honor of Major Horrigan at the
White Pass Cafe, which was a culinary triumph, being the finest and best served dinner ever enjoyed in Whitehorse, an epicurean victory for the proprietor of the cafe, Mrs. Orloff King. It was 9 o'clock when the distinguished guest and his forty hosts sat down to the beautifully decorated table and two happy hours passed before "Shall Auld Acquaintance be Forgot" was chorused.
George Armstrong was chairman and toastmaster and it was he who proposed
the principal toast of the evening, "Our Guest." Major Horrigan responded in his usual happy manner, but displayed considerable emotion when he recited the many happy events of the past and his disinclination to leave Yukon and his many friends, perhaps forever. "For He's a Jolly Good Fellow" was heartily and uproariously sang by all present.
The only other toasts of the occasion were "The Ladies," responded to by E. J. White, and "The Oldtimers," responded to by Yukon Councillor Captain Martin and Assistant Gold Commissioner R. C. Miller.
Dr. Hawes made a great hit with a "handmade song" translated from the
original, "Honey Boy" to "Horrigan" in which all joined im the chorus.
After "Shall Auld Acquaintance be Forgot," goodbyes were said and all present felt that one of the most pleasant and most treasured of all old-time associations was being severed, probably never to be resumed.
Those present at the banquet were Major Horrigan, Mr. and Mrs. Armstrong, Mr. and Mrs. Gilchen, Mr. and Mrs. Puckett, Mr. and Mrs. Macpherson, Mr. and Mrs. G. Wilson, Mr. and Mrs. Dixon, Mr. and Mrs. Gorden, Mr. and Mrs. Miller, Mr. and Mrs. White, Rev. and Mrs. Blackwell, Captain and Mrs. Martin, Messrs Ross, Whitney, W. S. Watson, Dumontier, Hamacher, McGee, Phelps, Fred Maclennan, Wheeler, Smart, Carmichael, Killam, Father Rivet, Captain Acland, Drs. Clarke, Hawes, Cane. Major Horrigan left yesterday morning for Skagway, where he took the steamer Princess May for Vancouver enroute to Regina. Many were at the depot yesterday for the last goodbye.
