Highlights of History from The Whitehorse Star

The Whitehorse Pioneer Cemetery

The Whitehorse Star - Friday, January 21, 1944

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    We much regret having to report that Mr. H. G. Macpherson passed away in his sleep at the Whitehorse General Hospital Wednesday afternoon. He had been a patient in the institution for several weeks and for some years has not enjoyed the best of health.

    Born in Chatham, Ontario, he was the only son of J. P. and Alicia Dartnell Macpherson. After graduating from the Collegiate Institute, he joined the Post office staff in that city. Later he entered the employ of the Taylor Instrument Co. of New York, and was their representative in Eastern Canada and the United States for eight or ten years. In 1907 Mr. Macpherson made his first trip into the Yukon to visit friends, and again in 1908, when he purchased the business operated under the name of the Bennett News Co., in the same premises as those now occupied by the drug store. After a time he entered into partnership with W. A. McKeown, who was the local druggist, now carrying on his profession in Vancouver. In 1911 the deceased purchased Mr. McKeown's interest in the business and became sole proprietor. In July of the same year he married Helen Teskey of Orillia, Ortario, since which time they have made their home in Whitehorse.

    During the many years spent in the Yukon, Herb Macpherson made a host of friends. He knew all the men who trapped and mined in the hinterlands; wrote letters for them; looked after their requests and interests. Possessed of a wonderful memory for places and people, when talking to visitors from the East, he would often astound them by asking if Mr. B. still ran the "Central Store" on 10th street in their own home town. He was an ardent curler, and a keen supporter of church and civie betterment. For thirty five years his cheery presence and courteous treatment of the travelling public, made the Whitehorse Pharmacy a landmark in the North.

    The late Mr. Macpherson leaves to mourn his loss, his widow and two sons, Grant in Montreal, and Stuart in Whitehorse; also a niece, Mrs. Allan Heaton and a nephew Terence Reid, both of Toronto, to all of whom sincerest sympathy is extended in their great bereavement.

    The funeral services will be conducted by Rev. L. G. Chappell in Christ Church on Sunday, at 2 p. m. and will be under the auspices of Whitehorse Lodge, No. 26, A. F. A. M., of which the deceased was member of many years standing.

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The Whitehorse Star - Friday, January 28, 1944

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    Funeral services for the late H. G. Macpherson were, held in Christ Church on Sunday afternoon, conducted by Rev. L. G. Chappell, L. Th., followed by the impressive ritual of the Masonic Order, in which organization the deceased was a Past Master, and Chaplain at time of his passing. The organist was Sgt. Wm. Baker, and hymns chosen were "Unto the Hills Around", and "Breathe on me Breath of God." The Church was filled with friends, and there were a number of beautiful floral tributes some of which arrived by air, the above testifying to the esteem in which the deceased was regarded.

    Slowly the funeral procession marched to the Evergreen Cemetery - a guard of honor on the last earthly journey of a revered Yukon pioneer. Interment was made with rites of Church and Masonic Order, the pallbearers being Messrs. J. Rose, D. W. Wilson, A. R. LePage, G. Y. Wilson, J. A. Barber and M. Warwick.

    "I cannot say, and I will not say
That he is dead—he is just away,
With a cheery smile, and a wave of the hand,
He has wandered into an unknown land,
And left us dreaming how very fair
    It must be,
        since he lingers there.”
                - James Whitcomb Riley.