"Recall identifying of Tom Thomson body prior to burial here", Owen Sound Sun-Times, Feb. 10, 1969

Two elderly ladies who were childhood neighbors of Tom Thomson and his family, Misses Agnes and Margaret McKeen, R.R. 1, Owen Sound, recall clearly the burial of Tom Thomson in the Leith Cemetery, following his tragic drowning at Canoe Lake, Algonquin Park. Their comments were aroused by the present revived controversy as to whether or not the famous Canadian artist is actually buried at Leith and whether or not his death was accidental. Those who are pressing for reopening the grave insist that Mr. Thomson was murdered, did not die as the result of accidental drowning and that his remains are still near Canoe Lake.

The two ladies’ niece, Miss Catherine McKeen, Owen Sound nurse, reports her aunts have a clear memory of the evening. They recall that their cousin, the late John McKeen, called at the home of his former neighbor, Tom’s father John Thomson who, at the time of Tom’s death, was living on 4th ave. east in Owen Sound.

An Owen Sound undertaker was at the home as well as the coffin containing the body of Tom Thomson.

John Thomson insisted that the coffin should be opened, although the undertaker was reluctant to do so because of the advanced decomposition of the body after being in the water for eight days.

The father persisted, the Misses McKeen recall their cousin saying, and the coffin was opened in the presence of both Mr. Thomson and Mr. McKeen. Both men readily identified the remains and Mr. Thomson expressed relief that he no longer had doubts as to the whereabouts of his son.