26th September, 1924.
Fort Qu’Appelle,
Saskatchewan,
Canada.
T. N. Campbell, Esq., Pres.,
Historical Society,
Prince Albert, Sask.
Dear Mr. Campbell:
I was grieved this morning to read of the death of our old friend Thomas
McKay after a long and useful life to the community. Having known Mr. McKay all
my life, I can testify to his sterling worth, and I doubt if there were more
than 3 or 4 men who lived in the North West during the early days to whom this
country owes so much; the son of an esteemed officer of the Hudson’s Bay Company
and a mother who was a most remarkable woman, he lived up to their high ideals.
His family always had the confidence of the Indians and Half Breeds of the early
days, a great asset. None of them ever betrayed it. His father died on
Christmas day, 1884, at Fort Pitt, and I have heard it said by those who had
reason to know his ability, that if William McKay had been alive in 1885, the
Indians of Fort Pitt, Big Bear and others would have remained loyal to the
crown. One had only to look at Thomas McKay’s record of usefulness in 1885
Rebellion and afterwards, not only as a citizen in the ordinary walk of life,
but as Mayor of your city, and afterwards as Member of the North West
Legislature. During his term as Member, I had the privilege and pleasure of
being closely associated with him for about eight years, and I cannot conceive
of any man having higher or sounder ideals of duty and service to the country.
Kindly express to Mrs. McKay my sympathy. I join with you all in the loss the
country suffers at the passing of one of its best citizens.
Yours sincerely,
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