After a journey commencing at Dawson City, Yukon Territory on January 28, the remains of Major T. M. Shoebotham arrived in London yesterday morning and in the
afternoon was laid to rest in Woodland Cemetery with military honours. At the funeral, which took place at 2:30 o'clock from the residence of J. E. Magee, 266 Oxford street, were representatives of the R.C.M.P., London military organizations and provincial and city Police forces. Major Shoebotham was commander of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police in the Yukon at the time of his sudden death on January 27.
Services were conducted at the house and grave by Rev. G. O. Lightbourn, of St. Paul's Cathedral, and the pallbearers were Dr. Edwin Seaborn, Fred White, Major Inwood, P. P. Allen, U. A. Buchner and E. Keayes. The commissioner of the R.C.M.P. was represented by Col. Worsley, Ottawa and Military District No. 1 by Major W. Neilson. Inspector Moss, of the provincial police attended as did Chief Birrell and Inspectors Downs and Lucas of the city force. Col. Gillespie and other officers of the R.C.R. represented that military unit at that funeral. The "Last Post" and "Reveille" were sounded at the grave by Private Simkins, of the Royal Canadian Regiment.
The late Major Shoebotham, who was a native of London Township, was a son of the late Capt. William Baker Shoebotham, and was educated in the London schools. At the time of his death at Dawson City he and Mrs. Shoebotham were accompanying Acting Gold Commissioner Jeckell walking to a hall. Major Shoebotham asked his companion to walk slowly as he complained of shortage of breath. When the hall was reached and they had taken off their coats the major collapsed and died immediately.
LONG JOURNEY
The body was sent out by stage the next day under R.C.M.P. escort for
Whitehorse and then to Skagway, Alaska to meet the C.P.R. coast steamer, Princess Mary. The stage trip from Dawson to Whitehorse is ordinarily a 14-day journey in winter, but in order to make connections with the boat night travel was made with the result that two days were cut off that section of the journey.
Sergt. Joy, for 30 years in the Yukon and with only one previous trip out, was in charge of the remains to Vancouver.
From Whitehorse, a narrow gauge railway was taken on the trip to Skagway. The steamer was taken at the Alaska port and three days later Vancouver was reached.
At the British Columbia city the body was received by E. A. Shoebotham, of Calgary, brother of deceased, who accompanied the remains by C. N. R. to London, the journey eastward starting on February 17. During the entire journey from Dawson to London the R.C.M.P. authorities gave all the assistance possible, making the necessary preparations for arrival and departure at the different points of transfer.
Mrs. Shoebotham did not accompany the remains out from Dawson, being
advised against attempting the winter journey under such trying circumstances. She intends
returning by an early boat to Vancouver, where she will be met by her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Trim, and will continue at the coast city for some time.
E. A. Shoebotham intends to leave for Calgary tomorrow.
