May 15, 1880
Manitoulin Expositor
Sad Death of a White Man in an Indian Camp
News has just been received of the death of Arthur Cole Hill, who died at Serpent River on April 8th. The deceased came from England, was about 35 years of age and possessed a good college education. He entered the service of the Hudson Bay Co. for three years and upon the expiration of his time signed for two years more, after putting in for about 1 year of the latter term he made the acquaintance of a squaw and wanted to get married, but as he could not do so until he left the Company he wrote to head quarters for his discharge and salary up to that time. Mr. Mackenzie, who was in charge of the post at that time, also wrote explaining matters which resulted in the discharge not being granted.
Hill was then sent up Lake Superior to another post where it was thought he would give up the idea of marrying a squaw, but he did not stop there long, he deserted and got married.
According to some rules of the Company a man who does not serve his time out loses all back money, and such was the case with Hill However, he heard from his brother, Henry Hill who, we are informed, holds some office in the Bank of England, that there was $500. to his credit there and he intended to sue the Hudson Bay Co. for back pay which is about $600. After he got married he made his home among the Indians at Serpent River, following their life fishing, hunting, etc. and received a small amount for looking after Murray’s mill at that place.
Last November he took sick and as there was no medical attendance at hand he lingered on till his death. Frank Miller who has been trading on the North Shore all winter was at Serpent River on April 7th and went to see Hill at the sugar bush about 15 miles from there, upon asking him what was the matter, he replied that he had been sick but felt better then. Miller stopped in front of the wigwam that night and next morning Hill took worse and told him he was dying. He told Miller that if anything happened and if his money could be obtained his wife was to have it. He was silent for awhile, suddenly a gun was fired, followed by two more reports, then turning on his side he said, “Frank, do you know what that means?” On being told that he did not he said, “that means there’s a death in the camp, but I ain’t a gone coon yet.” After laying quite a few moments he asked Miller to learn his little boy to pray, and that was his last request, he died at 2 p.m.
It was a hard scene Miller being the only white man with him, the deceased’s wife and child, her mother, and four Indians comprised the funeral. The body was rolled in a blanket and drawn out of camp on a dog-sleigh followed by the little procession in single file and placing a few arrows in the grave they buried him. Deceased was well liked both by the Indians and white men and his sad death is deeply felt by all who knew him.
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