A Conversation with Arthur & Lillian Eglinton...
On Monday, May 3, 2004, Constable John Mitchell, RCMP received a delightful phone call from Mrs. Lillian Eglinton regarding Samuel Horner. Her husband, Arthur Eglinton and his parents lived with the Horners at 281 Birmingham from just after the First World War until 1922. Constable Mitchell contacted Stratford researcher, Stephen Budge and asked that he interview the Eglintons. Mr. and Mrs. Eglinton graciously received him into their home on the evening of May 3rd and there followed a lively discussion of the history of Stratford, the Eglintons, the Smiths (Mrs. Eglinton's family) and Samuel Horner!
This is a picture of Sam Horner from the Eglinton family, taken June 20, 1920. Pictured here are Mr. Edward (Ted) Eglinton Sr., Mr. Samuel Hopkins Horner (aged 75) and young Ted Eglinton (about 5). This picture is of the back of the Birmington Street residence, showing some of the gardens that were well-known from the time of Sam's mother!
Mr. and Mrs. Eglinton also had a page of notes written by Mr. Eglinton's mother regarding "Old Mr. Horner" which they had copied for Mr. Budge.
From those notes:
"He owned a black horse named Tomahawk and would tell us great tales of the early days in the West. He seemed to know the "Cree" and the "Blackfoot" tribes best. He was also at the hanging of Louis Riel."
Here is the picture we have in our files of Staff Sergeant Horner and his horse, Tomahawk (from an early stereoview):
There was a current member of the RCMP in a uniform of this period at the rededication ceremony..
Mr. and Mrs. Eglinton attended the rededication May 6 and were seated in the VIP Section.
My heartfelt thanks go out to the Eglintons for sharing the picture and notes with me and for graciously hosting our meeting in their home.
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