Haunted Ontario 3-Book Bundle. Terry Boyle

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      Given Thomson’s aptitude for fishing, it remains unclear why a length of fishing line was wrapped 16 or 17 times around Tom’s left ankle at the time of his death.

      In early 1912 Tom made his first trek to picturesque Canoe Lake in Algonquin Park. Between 1913 and 1917 he painted there from spring break-up until late fall. The majority of his works were inspired here, including “Northern River,” “West Wind,” “Spring Ice,” “Jack Pine,” and “Northern Lights.” He painted 24 major canvasses and made more than 300 sketches.

      Judge William T. Little quoted park ranger Mark Robinson, who first met Thomson in the spring of 1912, in his book, “One evening as I went to Canoe Lake, a couple of other rangers had joined me. It was quite routine in those days for park rangers to inspect all newcomers coming into the park because poaching was a major offense and a common occurrence in the park. As the train came in and drew to a stop, a tall fine-looking man with a packsack on his back stepped off the train. The stranger inquired where he could find a place to stay, and where he could get a good bed and good eats. I explained to him that the Algonquin Hotel was a short distance away and Mowat Lodge was nearby. A man by the name of Fraser served good meals there and had excellent beds. Tom said that was the place for him.”

      Mowat Lodge became his home away from home. In the ensuing years Tom lived with the Frasers as if one of the family. He even designed a cover for the Frasers’ booklet to announce Mowat Lodge. Tom was, nevertheless, a loner, and often canoed out into the lake to disappear for days on end, painting and fishing to his heart’s content. He was an amiable man with rugged, lean, muscular good looks. Tom was well-liked by most who met him and enjoyed the company of others at the many parties in the area.

      Mark Robinson points out that Tom earned his way in the park by purchasing a guide license, and subsequently led parties of fishermen through the park. He often tented on the east side of Canoe Lake, opposite Mowat Landing, just north of Hayhurst’s Point.

      In April 1917 Tom arrived at Canoe Lake for the last time. On July 7 of that year Tom and a number of local cottage residents met at George Rowe’s cabin for some merriment. Drinking at these social events usually led to storytelling. The topic of the war arose and Tom spoke of his determination to join up as a fire ranger. His earlier attempts to join had been thwarted because of his flat feet. That night Martin Blecher, who was considered to have a bad temperament only exacerbated by heavy drinking, arrived at the party.

      Few photographs exist of Winnie Trainor. Even her home in Huntsville was torn down shortly after her death. Winnie is seen here on the left.

      Judge Little wrote, “One young American cottager in particular, Martin Blecher, who was of German background, was most outspoken regarding the progress of the war and his forecast of ultimate German supremacy. During the early summer Tom and Martin seemed to share a mutual dislike. These two men, during this Saturday evening, were actually prevented from coming to blows only by the good-natured efforts of the guides. On leaving the cabin before midnight, Blecher hurled a final threat, ‘Don’t get in my way if you know what’s good for you’.”

      A love triangle can be a source of great pain and jealousy. Secret love is even more entangling and complex. Winnie Trainor was, by all

      As an expert outdoorsman, fishing was a passion of Tom Thomson’s.

      accounts, a beautiful, mysterious woman. Hidden to most, Winnie and Tom shared a secret love. Judge Little said, “Not until Miss Trainor’s death in 1962 has it been known authoritatively that Thomson intended to marry her. Did Martin Blecher resent Tom’s visits to Winnie Trainor, just next door to him, during those long summer evenings? Did Tom resent Martin’s presence so close to Miss Trainor’s cottage?”

      Terence Trainor McCormick, the nephew and beneficiary of Miss Trainor’s estate, once stated about the letters written between Winnie and Tom, “… the correspondence gave undisputable evidence that Tom and my Aunt were engaged to be married.” Their covenant remains a secret known only to them.

      It was a rather dull morning and wet on Sunday, July 8, 1917. Shannon Fraser and Tom threw a line in the water at the dam between Joe and Canoe Lakes. Mark Robinson caught sight of the men returning. Tom waved to Mark and called, “Howdy, Mark.” Mark acknowledged the greeting. It would be the last time he ever saw Tom alive.

      Tom returned to his quarters where he gathered up his tackle box and a loaf of bread and some bacon from Mowat Lodge. He bid farewell to Shannon as his canoe cut a path across the waters of Canoe Lake. Shannon watched Tom disappear past Little Wapomeo Island only one and a half kilometres (one mile) away.

      The following day Martin Blecher casually remarked to some guests at Mowat Lodge that he had spotted an upturned canoe between Little and Big Wapomeo Islands. Apparently, he and his sister had not stopped, but continued on for an afternoon fishing excursion. On their return trip the canoe had disappeared.

      No one seemed too concerned about such a report. It was a strange reaction by such a small community of residents who all knew the boats on the lake. Judge Little adds, “Furthermore, Canoe Lake residents considered it strange that Martin Blecher could not have recognized Thomson’s grey-green canoe with a metal strip on the keel side; it was known to everyone on Canoe Lake at the time.”

      Charlie Scrim found the craft the following morning behind Big Wapomeo Island. Mark Robinson said, “Contrary to some people who may tell you the canoe was floating right side up, there was none of his equipment in the СКАЧАТЬ