"On Tuesday evening, March 6 a large number of their friends from Wingham, Bluevale, Wroxeter and the surrounding neighborhood surprised Mr. and Mrs. Douglas Fraser of Turnberry by assembling at their home with a purse of seventy five dollars as a token of love and goodwill on their departure for the North West. Soon after the visitors had gathered the presentation was made, A. McEwen, of Bluevale, reading the farewell address. Mr. Fraser was too much affected to make a reply beyond thanking his friends, Jas. Elliot, John Mosgrove, Thos. Bolt, and B. F. Carr of Wroxeter spoke briefly and Rev. W. J. West of Bluevale gave a pleasing address. The remainder of the evening was enjoyably occupied in social pleasures. There was vocal and instrumental music, and refreshments which had been provided by the visitors. The younger people remained until an early hour to dance. Regret is by everyone that Mr. and Mrs. Fraser and their family are leaving Turnberry where they have so long resided. Their future home will be at Pilot Mound, Man., where their daughter is teaching school."
(Full transcript of address below scans.)
To Douglas Fraser Esq.
Dear Sir
Your many friends in the Township of Turnberry where you have resided for so many years, having heard of your contemplated departure from among them, have met this evening to convey to you and your family our expression of respect and esteem.
As teacher in two of the most important schools in this Township, for many years, you faithfully discharged the duties of your high and responsible position, and we trust, that the results of your labors in this respect may be far-reaching for good, and that this may be reflected in the characters and lives of those who were entrusted to your charge.
In your intercourse with your friends and neighbors, in both business and social life, you have always commanded the respect and esteem due to your good qualities of head and heart, and that confidence in your integrity and honesty has long been shown by the many years you have been chosen to discharge the duties of Auditor for this Municipality.
Nor in addressing you can we omit your esteemed wife, whose kindness, good-will and hospitality we have so often and so pleasantly enjoyed. That she may long be spared to you and to your dear family is the sincere wish of all.
We trust that when out in the wide western prairie, where the view is unlimited you may in imagination travel beyond the limits of vision and recall to memory the good old Township of Turnberry and the many pleasant memories connected therewith.
Wishing that yourself, your wife and family may long enjoy (still under the folds of the old Union Jack), happiness and prosperity, we ask you to accept from us this purse, as a token of our love and good-will.
| And when your sojourn on earth is completed, may the Angel of Time dip his pen in the sunbeam and write in letters of gold on the purest white marble "Well done good and faithful servant." Turnberry Mar. 6th 1906 Signed – | James Elliot Herbert Henning John Mosgrove Andrew Gemmill A. Maclean J. T. Wylie John McNaughton |
