A gloom was cast over Simcoe and vicinity when the sad news was
received of the death of Mr. Fred A. Toms, who went three months ago in
company with his mother to San Antonio, Texas, in hopes of regaining his
heath, but not improving, as he had hoped, he started for home on Tuesday
morning , but expired suddenly at Decatur, Illinois. The saddest part of
it is that he could not reach his wife and children before the end came.
The funeral was held at two o'clock Monday afternoon of last week, from
his late residence in Woodhouse to Oakwood cemetery, where he was carried
to the grave by six of his comrades of the 39th Battalion Band, of which
he was a member for eighteen years. The floral tributes were many and
beautiful, namely, a wreath from the Band, a spray from Miss Eadie Potts,
W. E. McLean, Mrs. John Russell, Mrs. Geo. W. Lea, and Mrs Decou.
Beside a wife and two small children, deceased leaves a mother five
sisters: Mrs. Hannaford, of Copus Christi; Mrs. Hodgson, of Bracebridge;
Mrs. Thomas, of New York; Mrs. Crysler, of Toronto; Mrs. Mills, of
Halbrite, who have the sympathy of the entire community.
Mrs. Toms wishes to thank Mr. John Sutton, the Band, and neighbours,
for their kindness in their sad bereavement.
