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Note: N103 Full text of obituary from the Port Arthur Daily News (Friday, July 16, 1909)
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BODY OF BOY FOUND IN BAY THIS MORNING
Arthur Strachan Had Been Missing From His Home For Nine Days
Family Believed Him to Have Gone to Rossport---Dredgemen Make Find
Arthur Strachan, aged 14 years, son of Mr. and Mrs. John Strachan, Hill street, was found drowned in the Booth dock slip this morning about six o'clock by some men working on the dredge. How the boy came to be in the water is a mystery, and will probably always remain so. There was a long scar across the forehead, such as would be caused by a cable or boat's painter swinging across his face.
Constable Hunt, who was on duty at that hour, was on the scene soon after the discovery of the body. He at once notified Coroner Laurie and Undertaker Morris, and as soon as the coroner arrived they got a boat from the dredge and towed the body ashore. It was then removed to Morris undertaking parlors.
Arthur Strachan was employed at the tailoring establishment of Tom Lizette, Park street. He had been missing from home since Wednesday, July 7, and as today is the ninth day since that date, when a body of a drowned person generally rises to the surface, it is supposed that this is the date on which he met with his death. The boy had been told to come back to the store after supper to deliver a suit of clothes to a customer. Upon ariving at the shop he was informed that the suit was not quite ready and would not be ready until about eight o'clock. Young Strachan then said he would go down on the dock and look at the boats while waiting the completion of the order. This was the last seen of him alive.
HIs absence from home did not cause any uneasiness, as he was in the habit of going away on a fish tug to Rossport and spending some days there. His parents fully believed the boy was there and therefore did not make any enquiries.
The boy's fondness for the water and loitering around the docks was the indirect cause of his death, and it is supposed that when turning round to leave the dock on his way back to the store he misjudged his footing and fell into the water. His watch stopped at 7:55, which would be about the time when the boy would start to return to the store, having been told tht the parcel would be ready for delivery at eight o'clock.
The boy was a general favorite with his employer and all connected with the business, and had many friends who are shocked to hear of his death.
Mr. Strachan, the father of the drowned lad, is one of the best known motormen in the service of the street railway.
Mr. Strachan stated to The Daily News this morning that he had given his son permission to go to Rossport and stay there over July 12, on which date he intended to participate in a game of baseball. Therefore there was no anxiety caused by his non-appearance at home on the evening of July 7.
The funeral will be held tomorrow afternoon at 2:30 form the family residence, 88 Hill street, to Riverside Cemetery.
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