A very sudden death from heart trouble of W.J. McCracken, about nine o'clock Friday morning, cast a gloom over the entire town and surrounding community. As usual he came down town to his place of business, calling at the post office and butcher shop on the way. Opening up his photograph gallery he put on the fire, swept out and was standing at the door talking to friends some two minutes before his death. Entering the door he walked back to the stove at the rear of his store, when Mr. R.J. Drummond entered and inquired if he could change some money. Smiling, he threw up his hands and said “No,” and Mr. Drummond retired and closed the door. Two minutes later Mr. F.G. Muxlow entered and noticed the broom lying on the floor and could see his projecting past the door of the back room. Quickly deciding something was amiss, Mr. Muxlow followed back and found his lifeless body stretched out upon the floor. He shook the body and gave the alarm and Dr. Drummond, who was standing on the street and among those who had been talking to the deceased a few minutes before, hastened to use restoratives, but it was too late, life being extinct.
   The late Mr. McCracken, who was 51 years of age, had been a familiar figure in Meaford for some twenty-eight years, he having conducted a photograph business here during that time. Being a big man physically, he possessed a large heart and abundance of good nature, which won for him a host of friends. He was an enthusiastic curler and for years has been the president and mainstay for the Meaford Curling Club. The Meaford Citizens' Band is another organization that found refuge in his strength and he was connected with its management for many years. While the above organizations practically owe their very existence to the efforts of Mr. McCracken, yet he had his shoulder behind every athletic association that proved worth while. The hockey, baseball and lacrosse clubs have flourished under his careful management and he was always ready to sacrifice his time and energy in making Meaford the centre of good, clean sport. He was a power behind any public entertainment, a means often used for financial aid to the Citizens' Band, and he was successful in always keeping the finances on terra firma and a friendly feeling between the members.
   He was a member of the Board of Trade and was an active worker in Masonic circles and United Workmen. He was a very popular man with old and young and his very sudden death came as a blow to his many intimate friends.
   Much sympathy is felt for Mrs. McCracken in her very sad bereavement. The loss of her husband is a severe one, as she has been in very delicate health for some time. He is also survived by his aged mother and two sisters, one sister residing with her mother in Owen Sound and the other at Fort William.
   The funeral took place in Owen Sound on Monday afternoon, the remains leaving Meaford on Sunday morning at ten o'clock. Short service was conducted at the house by Rev. Dr. Cook and was attended by a large gathering of sympathizing friends. The Citizen's Band attended in a body and accompanied the cortège out of town.
   The funeral on Monday was held in Owen Sound from his mother's residence and many Meaford Masons were in attendance. The Meaford boys of the 147th Battalion, in training at Owen Sound, attended out of respect for the deceased.