At the General Hospital on May 13th there passed from our community one of the earliest citizens of Whitehorse, Mr. P. D. McMillan. Mr. McMillan had been seriously ill during the past winter and arrived only just in time to join the Casca as steward on her first sailing. Shortly after leaving Dawson he had a sudden attack, and while everything possible was done it was to no avail and he was unconseious on arrival at Whitehorse May 12th.
Peter Donald McMillan was born at Erin, Ontario, July 1st, 1872. He was
married during the early Klondike days to Miss Alberta Gerrie. In 1901, 1902 and 1903 he was steward of the Yukoner. In 1904 Mr. McMillan was the manager of the Windsor Hotel at
Whitehorse, which was destroyed in the Whitehorse fire of May 23, 1905. On this same day his eldest son, Donald, was born in Whitehorse. He then ran the Pioneer Hotel until the completion of the White Pass Hotel, when he became its manager, retaining that position until 1910 or 1911. For the ensuing four years he conducted a business at Sumas, Washington, and later was variously employed at Coughlan Shipyards, R. V. Winch & Co. and
Woodward's Ltd., until he rejoined the White Pass Company as steward in 1923. Since that date "Pete" McMillan, as everyone called him, has been coming north each spring as chiet
steward on the Casca.
"Pete" McMillan had that happy qualification among men known as a good mixer. He could get a smile from even the hardest-boiled traveler. He was well and favorably known by the entire Northland. Capable, courteous and versatile, he kept the travelers happy with good food, anecdotes and his faithful banjo. "Pete’" will be missed by the crew on the Casca. He will be missed by all the Northerners who travel; by the
old timers of Whitehorse and Dawson; by his friends everywhere. He has gone on that last stampede. But we will still be seeing him when the Casca blows her farewell whistle, waving his hand and smiling.
The funeral services will be held from Christ Church at 2:00 p.m. on
Saturday, interment in Whitehorse Cemetery by request of the deceased. The pallbearers will be Messrs. W. D. Gordon, W. A. Puckett, W. D. MacBride, W. S. Watson, A. H. Haynes
and D. A. Muirhead.
To his wife and son Donald in Vancouver, a son Clarence in Seattle, a
sister, Mrs. May Oullette in Winnipeg, and his brother Howard of Carmacks the sincere sympathy of this community is extended.
